12 May 2008 Netball talent paves way for agricultural career

Combining sport and academic achievement has taken ex-Verdon College student Moniek van Rossum on a Netball Scholarship to Lincoln University to study for a Bachelor of Agriculture degree.

A talented netballer who regards Southland's iconic coach Robin Broughton as "inspirational", Moniek has a bagful of representative honours including selection for New Zealand Secondary Schools and playing for Southland in the New Zealand Under-l 9s tournament, winning two years in a row.

This year as a Sports Scholar at Lincoln University she was chosen for the Canterbury Academy team to play in the inaugural Lois Muir Cup tournament, an opportunity she describes as a "real step up".

She is also a member of the University's "A" team playing in Christchurch's Premier Competition.

Being a Sports Scholar at Lincoln University the young goal-keep has to combine a rigorous sports performance programme while maintaining a hig level of academic achievement.

"We have to keep a strong academic record to hang on to our scholarships," she says, "but the University provides all its students with plenty of opportunities to keep their studies on track, so yes, I'm managing to keep these two sides of my university life together."

While ultimately Moniek hopes to return to the land and her farming roots, in the medium term she would like to take her netball as far as she can. Lincoln University will encourage her in both directions. The philosophy of its Sports Scholarship Programme is to provide a foundation for life after sport.

Moniek was one of 34 new Sports Scholars in the 2008 intake at Lincoln University. The scholarships cover cricket, golf, hockey, netball, rugby and soccer.

For information on all Lincoln University courses see www.lincoln.ac.nz

Feature for Southland Times