Rotorua sports achievers gain scholarships

Sam Shaw's aim to be at the 2012 Olympic Games has received a welcome boost in the form of a BayTrust Scholarship.
He was among three Rotorua recipients to be awarded the scholarships which help athletes achieve on the national and international sporting stage and coaches to develop new skills that can be delivered back to the community.
The scholarships are open to sportspeople residing the in region covered by the BayTrust and Sport Bay of Plenty with the intention that the coaching expertise and sporting talent is retained in the region.
The Athlete Scholarships are available to those aged 16 to 23 who have achieved national representation at their sport while the Coach Scholarships are for those currently coaching at a recognised and endorsed level by their respective regional sporting organisation or equivalent body.
Local recipients of BayTrust Athlete Scholarships:

Samual Shaw, Rotorua (mountainbiking/Xterra): As the Waikato Bay of Plenty Under-19 Mountain Bike Champion Sam went on to become the New Zealand Mountain Bike Cup Junior Champion and gain selection for the New Zealand team for the Youth Olympic Games.
A winning performance also saw Sam take out the Under-25 division of the Xterra New Zealand Championships and gain qualification for the Xterra World Champs.
Samual has his sights set on finishing in the top 35 of the Under-23 men's division at the 2011 mountain biking world champs on his way to his ultimate goal of a medal winning performance at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Samara Sheppard, Rotorua (cross country mountainbiking): Samara Sheppard is no stranger to mountainbiking across the country and internationally. The Waiariki Institute of Technology student has various national and International achievements on her resume.
The New Zealand Under-23 cross country mountainbiking champion was a member of the New Zealand Cross Country team this year, finishing 11th in the Under-23 division at the world championships, third in the Under-23 division of the Racer-Bike Cup and 11th in the Under-23 race at the World Cup #5.
Samara is aiming to wear the silver fern again next year representing New Zealand at the world championships, while her long-term goal is to finish in the medals at the 2012 World Championships.
Shaquille Jordon Te Kawau Stone, Rotorua (touch): Talented athlete Shaquille is aiming high for a gold medal as a member of the New Zealand Under-19 boys' touch team at the Trans Tasman Tournament in Australia in January.
This won't be Shaquille's first time in the black jersey; the young touch player donned the silver fern for New Zealand this year as a member of the New Zealand open mens' team and the New Zealand Under-19 mixed team. The Rotorua Boys' High School student was also a member of the New Zealand Maori men's team who took out the World Indigenous Tournament this year.
John Keepa, Whakatane (rugby): Eastern Bay's John Keepa has spent the last few years sharing his rugby knowledge and coaching expertise across the region and the globe.
John spent 2008-09 in Tennessee at the Middle Tennessee State University involved in the coaching of 14 rugby teams before his next post with the Red Deer Club in Canada in 2009.
During the northern hemisphere off season John returns home to Whakatane assisting in the coaching and introduction of safe training techniques with the Whakatane Mustangs League, Whakatane Marist, Ruatoki Rugby, Opotiki Rugby Club and Whakatane Football. John also shared his expertise with Bay of Plenty Netball delivering strength and conditioning sessions. He will use his scholarship to further his coaching education.