MANDY SMITH
A Napier Boys' High School pupil plans on using his prestigious law scholarship to secure a job hobnobbing with the big names in sport.
Year 13 pupil and head boy Sam Green, 18, is a recipient of the Russell McVeagh law scholarship.
He will receive financial support and mentoring from the
firm, and a summer clerk position in his penultimate year of study.
"I want to get into sports law and player management," said Sam, a keen triathlete and member of the college's first XI rugby team.
"I want to mix with the superstars of sports."
To become a real-life Jerry Maguire, Sam plans on doing a double degree in Law and Physical Education at Otago University next year.
Once he's qualified, he'll be heading straight overseas.
"There is maybe one person with this career in New Zealand," he said.
"It's not such a big industry here, but it is in the States and the UK."
Originally considering medicine, Sam chose law and physical education after a chat with the head of the faculty.
"I wasn't really sure but then I met the dean, who's a nice guy and he sold the program really well.
While 80 percent of his friends were planning on studying at Victoria, he chose Otago "because everybody says it's a great place to study".
"It's the student atmosphere - the whole city revolves around the university and the students whereas Wellington is such a big place, it would easily survive without it."
Russell McVeagh human resources coach Jan Blair said 36 out of 430 applicants had been selected nationwide.
He said the scholars who were chosen had top academic records, excellent communication skills, and proven leadership ability.
