Lincoln University scholarships still producing top talent
In 1999 a fresh-faced Richie McCaw from was among the first intake in Lincoln University’s newly instituted sports scholarship programme. His story needs no retelling – he has gone on to be a great of the game.
Nineteen years on and the scholarship programme is still attracting promising youngsters from around New Zealand in a diverse range of sports, but it is in rugby where it is has become a production line of talent.
The sports scholarship rugby roll of honour includes All Blacks, and Super Rugby as well as a host of Mitre 10 cup players. All Black locks Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Dominic Bird and Kevin O’Neill, prop Joe Moody, and backs Jack Goodhue, Jordie Barrett and Andy Ellis were all part of the programme, as was Black Fern Kendra Cocksedge.
The Lincoln University Rugby Club has been very successful for the last several years, claiming the Christchurch Metro title three times, while there are also four scholars in 2018 in the women’s rugby side, with interest growing there.
Rising star Ngane Punivai is hoping to etch his name onto the roll of honour for rugby sports scholars.
He has already represented his country, being selected for NZ Secondary Schools after captaining Christ’s College to the semifinals of the UC Championship in 2016.
Now in his second year at Lincoln, and on the scholarship, he was part of the Canterbury side last year, and is a member of development side, the Crusaders Knights, as well as making the Crusaders squad for the 2018 Global 10s. He is also in the training squad for the New Zealand under-20s World Cup side.
If he makes the World Cup squad he will be adding to a growing list of Lincoln scholars who have worn the junior black jersey in recent years, and often lifted the Cup, while in the development squads he will not struggle to find familiar faces with his teammates often making up the bulk of the sides.
Last year he was part of the Metro winning senior team, which he listed as a highlight in an already impressive list of rugby achievements.
Punivai is a Bachelor of Commerce (Supply Chain Management) student.
“I want to make a career out of rugby but studying at the same time allows me to have something to fall back on if my rugby doesn’t go to plan.
“I came to Lincoln because it gave me the opportunity to pursue my rugby and studies at the same time. The scholarship programme at Lincoln allows me to have the best of both worlds and there are a lot of people behind the scenes making sure I am doing well in both. “
Born in Wellington, he first ran onto the rugby field when he was 4-years-old.
“I came to Lincoln because it gave me the opportunity to pursue my rugby and studies at the same time. The scholarship programme at Lincoln allows me to have the best of both worlds and there are a lot of people behind the scenes making sure I am doing well in both.” NGANE PUNIVAI
“We help with nutrition, and mental skills as well as the physical ones, and students need to keep up with academic studies to keep their scholarships.” PETER MAGSON
“I used to watch my dad play club rugby every weekend and that inspired me to play the game.”
Combining rugby and study has called for some discipline to be exercised.
“Being a sport scholar means you have a busier schedule than those who are just studying. This means you have to make some tough choices about what you do with your spare time. However, the support staff are really helpful and approachable and they make balancing sport and study that much easier.
“To a first year scholar, I would say to them that being organised makes life so much easier. If you try to coast through the year or “just go with the flow” you will find yourself struggling to do well not only in your studies but also with your sport.”
Sports Scholarship Manager Peter Magson has been there since the start.
Magson says Lincoln has strong connections to the representative bodies for the scholarship sports, while athletic performance manager Richard Duechrass ensures the scholars are in peak condition.
“We help with nutrition, and mental skills as well as the physical ones, and students need to keep up with academic studies to keep their scholarships. We want to ensure they come out with a qualification.
“We also want them to come out as well-rounded young people, who will be successful in whatever they choose to do- Lincoln graduates are also sought after by employers.”
He wants to create a culture where students are proud to play for Lincoln, as well as developing top talent for Canterbury and New Zealand.
“It’s something the other students can benefit from too, going to watch their team, their mates, play for them.
“The scholars are pretty tight-knit and places are quite sought after, not only because of the McCaws or the Whitelocks, but because we have very successful clubs too.”
Magson is also the recreation centre manager, and many of his staff will be on the sidelines for games on Saturday, running water, or taking photos.
A growing New Zealand university sports scene will add to that workload, and Lincoln basketballers were recently at the 3x3 university world champs in China.
“It’s a lot of work to balance a degree and sport but we try to support them as much as we can.
“And while not everyone can be an All Black or Silver Fern the rewards are still huge. Where many might have found it too hard to carry on their sport at the same level after they left school, here we give them that chance,” Magson said.
“The opportunity is there, they just have to grasp it.”
Just like one R. McCaw from the class of 1999 did.