I am far from a uni apologist, however maybe I have been brainwashed from talking to a couple of them recently.
I have the impression that clubs like Gordon, Manly and Randwick with about 8 or so scholarships have a rather similar programme as that of Uni. The players who may receive financial assistance receive such from the Sydney Uni Sports Foundation not the University itself, and there aren't too many of those contrary to popular perception.
What Uni does well is that they assign a mentor from somewhere within their alumni to motivate and assist, where necessary, a Uni player to achieve their study objectives. Many of the uni players are studying at TAFE and other institutions. These kids are similarly lined up with a mentor to help them complete their apprenticeship or degree.
Every club should be encouraging their players to gain qualifications to fall back on post rugby.
IIRC even Mungoland mandates that their U20's must be at TAFE or Uni to maintain their registration. I think I read somewhere that St Andrews College at Sydney Uni has two places reserved for young Mungo players.
There is no reason why other clubs can not match Uni and establish similar mentoring programmes for their boys in Colts. As posted earlier, rather than whinge about Uni's advantages, do something internally at the club like Belly has at 2 Blues, and Manly etc have done to attract and retain kids to your programme.
Bloody defeatist attitudes are killing Oz rugby.
I have the impression that clubs like Gordon, Manly and Randwick with about 8 or so scholarships have a rather similar programme as that of Uni. The players who may receive financial assistance receive such from the Sydney Uni Sports Foundation not the University itself, and there aren't too many of those contrary to popular perception.
What Uni does well is that they assign a mentor from somewhere within their alumni to motivate and assist, where necessary, a Uni player to achieve their study objectives. Many of the uni players are studying at TAFE and other institutions. These kids are similarly lined up with a mentor to help them complete their apprenticeship or degree.
Every club should be encouraging their players to gain qualifications to fall back on post rugby.
IIRC even Mungoland mandates that their U20's must be at TAFE or Uni to maintain their registration. I think I read somewhere that St Andrews College at Sydney Uni has two places reserved for young Mungo players.
There is no reason why other clubs can not match Uni and establish similar mentoring programmes for their boys in Colts. As posted earlier, rather than whinge about Uni's advantages, do something internally at the club like Belly has at 2 Blues, and Manly etc have done to attract and retain kids to your programme.
Bloody defeatist attitudes are killing Oz rugby.
