27 July 2004 Lincoln Scholarships Help Collegiate Lads towards Bright Sporting Futures

The future of New Zealand cricket will be in safe hands if two passionate young players who cut their teeth in Wanganui Collegiate's 1st XI have anything to do with it.

Richard Wylie, an opening quick bowler, and Andrew Fullerton-Smith, a batsman and wicket keeper, are now both Cricket Scholars at Lincoln University studying for Bachelor of Recreation Management degrees.

The pair are dedicated to taking their cricket to the highest level after a solid grounding at Collegiate where Andrew, now 21, was in the 1st XI for three years and Richard, coming up 20, was in the top team for four years.

Their credentials are already impressive. Andrew has played senior men's cricket in Wanganui and now he is at Lincoln University he plays for Sydenham Senior Men's. Richard won selection for the Central Districts Under-19 team and was also 12^th man for Central Districts Stags.

As Cricket Scholars their favourite sport looms large in their daily lives at Lincoln University but it's not alone in commanding a share of their time. Academic achievement and success are as essential for holding on to their scholarships as sporting progress. In fact it's the combination of academic and sporting requirements that makes Lincoln University's Sports Scholarship Programme so special. At the end of it the scholars emerge with an academic qualification that will be the foundation for their life "after sport".

Another ex-Wanganui Collegiate sportsman at Lincoln University who is keen to make his mark at the highest level is Rugby Scholar Frazer Peacocke. He was captain of Collegiate's 1st XV in 2002 and is now studying for a Lincoln University Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree.

Playing as lock in the Collegiate side, Frazer was noted for his ability to lead from the front on the field of play and for his meticulous planning and inspirational communication. In Christchurch he's playing for the Merivale Lincoln University side and contributing well to its success in the local colts competition.

Lincoln University pioneered the Sports Scholarship programme within the New Zealand university system when it introduced Cricket, Netball and Rugby scholarships in 1999. Golf, hockey, and table tennis have been added subsequently.

The scholarships demand academic excellence as well as sporting achievement at a top level. Fees for the minimum duration of a degree are covered so long as the scholars pass everything each year. And the record shows that they pass well! In Semester One this year the Sports Scholars sat a total of 563 subjects and achieved a 96 percent pass rate.

Altogether there are 155 Sports Scholars at Lincoln University spread across the six codes – cricket, golf, hockey, netball, rugby and table tennis.

The scholarships are among more than 200 awards of various values available at Lincoln University. In monetary terms the most valuable undergraduate scholarships are the Lincoln University Scholarships for Excellence and these pay fees plus a grant of $4000 in cash each year for the minimum duration of a degree course.

There are also awards known as Lincoln University Entrance Scholarships that pay full first year fees.

The University's Scholarships Manager, Jane Edwards, will be in the Wanganui/Manawatu area in mid-August promoting Lincoln's scholarships and in particular the Sports, Excellence and Entrance scholarships. For example, on 16 August Jane will be speaking at Palmerston North Boys' High School in the School Library.

If you would like to discuss scholarships with Jane either during her time in Wanganui/Manawatu you can ring Lincoln University on 0800 10 60 10 and arrange an appointment. She is also happy to talk by phone about scholarships at any time.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand