A top rugby prospect from an Auckland secondary school, who is just as handy in class as they are on the field, will be the beneficiary of a new three-year university scholarship.
The Auckland Rugby Union Supporters Club Junior Rugby Foundation (ARUSCJRF) has announced, in conjunction with Royal Wolf, the creation of the new award to be known as the Royal Wolf Rugby Tertiary Scholarship, valued at $10,000 annually.
It will be awarded annually to a top secondary school rugby prospect selected from colleges within the Auckland Rugby Union's boundaries. Since 2000, the Junior Rugby Foundation has awarded annual bursaries covering school and associated fees to 15 players selected from Auckland colleges.
ARUSCJRF chairman Barry Hodge says this innovative new scholarship by Royal Wolf will enable the foundation to greatly increase the assistance it provides to its top bursary student each year as they move into tertiary level education.
"The Royal Wolf Rugby Tertiary Scholarship will assist the student for three years as they work towards completing their degree with grants of $10,000 for each of those years. Thus, in three years' time and thereafter, Royal Wolf will be investing a total of $30,000 to cover the three scholars who will be in the system by then. While the award winner each year will most likely be selected from among our bursary students, we will not rule out the possibility of an award to another outstanding student.