School sporting scholarships/recruitment

[bomber06]

I think the point is that we should award the scholarship regardless of the student's ability to kick a footy; i.e. they shouldn't be professionals, it's amateur schoolboy sport.

Otherwise, it appears as it probably is, extremely self-interested of the school, the old boys, etc., with the actual kids' interests a distant second to that.

In the case of Newington, this year in particular, it appears to be the school and old boys throwing some "meat to the crowd" in light of the well-publicised and ongoing infighting regarding coeducation.

The sports scholarship practice also has the potential to unbalance a competition, with super competitive "2nd XVs" full of kids who, in the normal course of events, would otherwise be 1st XV kids.

I also don't think it's great for school culture. From the reports that I have heard, the sports "scholarship" kids know precisely why they are there, as does every other kid in the place, which can generate an "Us and Them" dynamic.

Not to mention the impact on the culture in the schools robbed of their own talent.

You can actually see the pressure boil over in games from time to time - some of the sports "scholarship" kids blowing up when things don't go their way on the pitch, "overreacting" to a casual observer, striking out, etc., because they are under constant pressure to perform.

The new rules of the AAGPS, which eradicated the provisions against sports scholarship and inducements, are crummy to say the least...

The fact that we went from a literal boycott on Scots a couple of years ago to this Newington side, which will likely win the comp by recruiting as far and wide as QLD and Tonga, while their lower age groups are getting belted, shows how far we have slid into professionalism and "winning at all costs".

Never mind what it says about the general state of grassroots Rugby in this country. League teams paying tuition? Seriously? The joke is on us.

Meat to the crowd? How do you figure that when most of the team have been there since year 7 or 8. Stupid, ill-informed comment. You should check your facts before sprouting ill informed nonsense.

 

[bomber06]

and if he wasn't a great rugby player he wouldn't be on an indigenous scholarship

Does it matter?

 

[Jakeburner65]

Meat to the crowd? How do you figure that when most of the team have been there since year 7 or 8. Stupid, ill-informed comment. You should check your facts before sprouting ill informed nonsense.

1. Harry Davies Yr-7
2. Anakin Richardson Yr-10 (Scholarship/Bursary)
3. Villiami Akauola Yr-10 (Scholar)
4. Daniel Muir Yr-4
5. Kupu M Yr-11 (Scholar)
6. Nathan Perkins Yr-9 (Scholar/Bursary)
7. Ash Thomas Yr-7
8. Dylan Simmons Yr-9 (Scholar/Bursary)
9. Harry Whitaker Yr-7
10. Jarryd King Yr-7 (Scholar/Bursary)
11. Bailey R-L Yr-6 (Scholar/Bursary)
12. Keone A-T Yr-7 (Scholar/Bursary)
13. Braith Sloane Yr-11 (Scholar/Bursary)
14. Heamasi Makasini Yr-8 (Scholar/Bursary)
15. Callum Grantham Yr-7 (Scholar/Bursary)

 

[FNC Rugby]

Does it matter?

no doesnt matter but there is an incredibly high likelihood he isnt getting a scholarship without his rugby prowess. Tell it for what it is, a rugby scholarship dressed up as an indigenous bursary

 

[bomber06]

no doesnt matter but there is an incredibly high likelihood he isnt getting a scholarship without his rugby prowess. Tell it for what it is, a rugby scholarship dressed up as an indigenous bursary

Does it matter?

 

[Jakeburner65]

Does it matter?

It sure does if you're indigenous and can't kick a footy...

 

[bomber06]

1. Harry Davies Yr-7
2. Anakin Richardson Yr-10 (Scholarship/Bursary)
3. Villiami Akauola Yr-10 (Scholar)
4. Daniel Muir Yr-4
5. Kupu M Yr-11 (Scholar)
6. Nathan Perkins Yr-9 (Scholar/Bursary)
7. Ash Thomas Yr-7
8. Dylan Simmons Yr-9 (Scholar/Bursary)
9. Harry Whitaker Yr-7
10. Jarryd King Yr-7 (Scholar/Bursary)
11. Bailey R-L Yr-6 (Scholar/Bursary)
12. Keone A-T Yr-7 (Scholar/Bursary)
13. Braith Sloane Yr-11 (Scholar/Bursary)
14. Heamasi Makasini Yr-8 (Scholar/Bursary)
15. Callum Grantham Yr-7 (Scholar/Bursary)

The irony of people moaning about the Newington side this year is that it was arguably worse last year with their 1st XV having 4 or 5 kids who were out and out league kids - Humphries, Rodwell, Warner and a couple of others. But because they weren't successful it wasn't an issue.

The primary success of this years squad is that they have been playing together for a long time and there are many who played last year whilst in year 10 or 11 who have backed up this year.

The approach to scholarships driven by the previous DOR is changing - and to the majority of parents, and kids at the school, this is a good thing. It hurt the rugby culture - which in a school that is not a "rugby" school like Joeys or View - was significant.

This new team play excellent rugby and are great to watch. That should be celebrated, along with the fact that the new DOR has a clear focus on shifting the rugby culture back to where it should be. But it won't happen overnight.

 

[bomber06]

It sure does if you're indigenous and can't kick a footy...

Build a bridge