$10,000 scholarships go to local stars
Two of west Auckland’s brightest young sports stars have received a huge financial boost to help them continue their rapid sporting rise.
Green Bay’s Nicola Korck and Henderson’s Kanah AndrewsNahu are among the 12 ambitious New Zealanders chosen to receive a $10,000 AMP Scholarship to help cover the costs of training and to help them continue to pursue their dreams in their chosen fields.
The AMP Scholarship board received more than 3,000 applications from athletes and scholars all over the country. Korck and Andrews-Nahu were two of 10 scholarship winners.
Both the girls were invited to attend the awards evening at Auckland Museum on October 20 where they were treated to ‘‘cocktails and caviar’’, and rubbed shoulders with industry professionals.
Andrews-Nahu, 15, is one of the country’s top weightlifters and currently holds more than 70 national records. She dreams of representing New Zealand and says the scholarship will go a long way in helping her chase her Olympic dream.
The money will cover the costs of Andrews-Nahu’s next event, the International Weightlifting Federation World Youth Championships. Last year’s medallists recorded a 107kg clean and jerk. She is hopeful of going even bigger.
Green Bay’s ice queen Nicola Korck, 13, was the youngest recipient of the scholarship.
The west Auckland figure skater has, thus far, won every youth competition she has entered in 2016 and is eyeing a few international scalps before year’s end.
‘‘We couldn’t believe it when we were told that Nicola’s application was successful, she was over the moon,’’ says Nicola’s mother, Lara Korck.
‘‘It has been so exciting for her and the scholarship itself will go a long way. Now we can afford to compete overseas and help Nicola achieve her dream of representing New Zealand.’’
Korck’s boots cost $1000. Her blades, $1000, and each competition outfit ‘‘between $500-$1000’’. She says the scholarship money is a huge weight off the family’s back and means international competition is now firmly on the cards.
The pair each gave thanks to their coaches, families and the organisation for the support.