Balance for the sporting present and career preparation for life after sport - that’s the philosophy behind Lincoln University’s Sports Scholarship Programme. Founded in 1999 and a pioneering programme among New Zealand’s universities, the Lincoln University scheme has gone from strength to strength. Originally three codes were involved - cricket, netball and rugby - but the programme now covers six sports, with golf, hockey and soccer progressively joining the mix since 1999.
Sixty scholars came in with the first intake nine years ago and now there are 110 studying at Lincoln under the scheme.
The programme has been developed by the University in partnership with Canterbury Cricket Association, Canterbury Golf Association, Canterbury Hockey Association, Canterbury Netball, Canterbury Rugby Union and Mainland Soccer and it has been responsible for bringing a wealth of young sporting talent to the Canterbury region.
The scholarships are for those with solid sporting credentials and achievements in their school and age group years and with equally strong academic and educational records.
Winners of the coveted scholarships have all their Lincoln University tuition fees paid and throughout their time at the University they participate in specific training programmes delivered by well-known specialists in their sporting codes as well as taking part in on-going personalised fitness and general sports development programmes.
For the scholars academic achievement in their university courses must keep pace with their sporting progress and they have to meet exacting standards in both in order to hang on to their scholarships. Motivation has been consistently high over the years with most successfully balancing the two requirements.
The University believes that a structured and managed involvement in sport and academic programmes enhances performance in both areas of activity.
In the era of professional sport, demands and expectations on young sports men and women can be almost all-consuming and Lincoln University sees its Sports Scholarship programme as particularly appropriate in an age when many young people have difficulty balancing their sporting and academic commitments.
Balance in the present, enabling young men and women to extend and enhance their sporting capabilities, and laying a career foundation for the future after active sporting days are over - those are fundamental principles of the programme.
Examples of academic courses chosen by Lincoln University Sports Scholars over the years include -
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science - All Blacks captain Richie McCaw. Richie came to Lincoln University in 1999 originally as a Rugby Scholar, then switched to an Excellence Scholarship
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture - All Black Andy Ellis
- Bachelor of Recreation Management - White Ferns cricketer Louise Milliken
- Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) - Canterbury Flames netballer Joanna McCaw
- Bachelor of Commerce and Management - Black Sticks hockey player Hugh Copland
- Bachelor of Science - White Ferns cricketer Amy Satterthwaite.
When devised in the late 1990s, Lincoln’s Sports Scholarship Programme was seen as a natural fit with the University’s long and strong tradition in sport and that hasn’t all been rugby alone. Back in the 1930s, for example, James Lovelock, brother of legendary New Zealand Olympic gold medallist Jack Lovelock, was a student at Lincoln and a handy athlete in his own right. In the same New Zealand team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics as Jack Lovelock was Lincoln student Vernon Patrick Boot, an Empire Games half-mile record holder and national record holder over a number of distances.
In rugby, however, the University’s record is outstanding with some 30 All Blacks able to be listed from among former students, including four captains - Wilson Whineray, Andy Dalton, Reuben Thorne and most recently Richie McCaw. Aspiring All Blacks coach, Canterbury and Crusaders maestro Robbie Deans was also briefly a student at Lincoln University in his youth.
In 2002 Lincoln had no less than five former students in the All Blacks of that season - Richie McCaw, Scott Robertson, Reuben Thorne, Greg Somerville and Dave Hewett. McCaw, Thorne and Somerville were all still there at this year’s Rugby World Cup.
Women have excelled in the rugby ranks too. Sports Scholar Hannah Babe who graduated with a Bachelor of Tourism Management degree in 2006 was a member of the New Zealand women’s rugby squad and Kendra Cocksedge a first year Sports Scholar at Lincoln in 2007, was selected for this year’s NZ Women’s Rugby Team. Kendra is also an accomplished cricketer and received a double Blue - Rugby and Cricket - at the latest Lincoln University Blues and Golds Awards Ceremony.
Other notable sports men and women who have been Sports Scholars at Lincoln University include Black Caps cricketer Michael Papps, women’s White Ferns cricketer Kate Pulford, women’s Black Sticks hockey players Jo Galletly and Jane Maley, Southern Sting netballer Sarah Barnes and Otago Rebels netballer Katie Ritchie.
Further information on Lincoln University’s Sports Scholarship Programme and all of the University’s courses is available on www.lincoln.ac.nz . You can also contact the Lincoln University Scholarships Office on (03) 3252811 exts 8748 or 8582 or the Sports Scholarship Manager Peter Magson on (03) 3252811 ext 8898.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ian Collins
Communications Group
Lincoln University
Tel: (03) 3252811 ext 8549.
Email: collinsi@lincoln.ac.nz