Do you play rugby and wish to get a scholarship in the sport to pay for your college tuition? Then you have stumbled on a gold mine. In this blog post, I will reveal the best rugby scholarships in Australia to help you easily find them and begin applying for the ones that suit you best. Let’s get started.
Sports scholarships are one of the ways you can pay for college without taking money out of your own pocket. Many countries offer this type of scholarship but they are much more popular in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. This is because varsity sports are a big deal in these countries and are taken seriously. But among these nations, the United States varsity sports and scholarships are the biggest, best, and most competitive.
Receiving an athletic scholarship can go a long way in offsetting the cost of your college tuition. It could either pay off all of your college tuition or half of it, either way, such scholarships can be helpful. So, if you are an athlete or athletic, participating in whatever sport you may qualify to win a sports scholarship, do not let such an opportunity slide by you.
You can find field hockey scholarships in Europe and netball scholarships in Australia, to mention but a few. There are many more related guides like this topic that we have published on our site, click here to find them. I also recommend that you go on to learn some facts about athletic scholarships to put you in a better position to apply for the right kind and how to apply for them.
Back to the main topic, there are rugby scholarships in Australia. It is just one of the many types of sports scholarships in Australia. There are swimming scholarships in Australia and tennis scholarships in Australia to mention but a few.
The rugby scholarships in Australia as well as other sports scholarships in the country are provided by the universities and sports associations/organizations in the country. They are awarded to students who aspire to become rugby players. The provision of such scholarship allows student-athletes to study for a degree at an accredited institution in Australia whilst participating in rugby training and competitions representing their school.
The rugby scholarship is awarded to student-athletes who demonstrate excellent performance on the field and still have good grades. The scholarship will cover the cost of the student’s college education such as tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. The recipients may also receive other perks as part of the scholarship package such as one-on-one coaching, free gym membership, training kits, etc.
If you are passionate about rugby, you’ve been training and participating in competitions since high school, and you dream of becoming a professional player, this is the opportunity presented to you on a platter.
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How to Apply for Rugby Scholarships in Australia
Look for colleges in Australia with a competitive rugby team, and verify whether the college offers scholarships to rugby student-athletes before applying to the college if they do that is your chance. Go ahead to apply for a degree program at the college and in your application specify the varsity team you want to join, which is rugby, in this case.
Depending on the school, there might be a separate application for the rugby scholarship your application for admission into the school is what will be used to assess you for the rugby scholarship. Whichever the case may be, you will be required to submit further detail as a candidate for the rugby scholarship, these may include an essay, a recommendation letter from your former coach and/or teacher, and a portfolio of your athletic achievements which could be in picture and/or video formats.
If none of these are required then you will have to showcase your talents physically in front of a coach. Whichever one, prepare yourself ahead, fortunately, you have this blog post to guide you.
And now, let’s get to the main reason why you are here: the best rugby scholarships in Australia.
Best Rugby Scholarships In Australia
- Rugby Young Achiever Award
- John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship
- David Clarke Memorial Scholarship
- Southern Districts Rugby Club Scholarship
- Illawarra Rugby League Scholarship
- University of Queensland (UQ) Sport Achievement Scholarship
- Easts Rugby Union Griffith University Scholarship
1. Rugby Young Achiever Award
The Rugby Young Achiever Award is a $9,000 scholarship award presented to a student rugby player in Year 12 at an Australian school who demonstrates academic endeavor, leadership, and sporting excellence.
The Rugby Young Achiever Award is provided by the University of Melbourne therefore applicant must be a permanent resident or a citizen of Australia enrolled to study at the university and join the Melbourne University Rugby Football Club to be eligible for the award. To be selected, you must be endorsed by a school coach or school teacher, and provide details of sporting, leadership, and community achievements.
2. John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship
John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship is provided by Bond University and it is for Australian citizens and permanent residents who completed high school and applying for undergraduate programs. Those who are currently completing high school and applying for postgraduate programs are also welcome to apply.
Recipients of this award will be named John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholar and be awarded with 100% tuition remission for any program they are enrolled in. In addition, Scholars will receive $20,000 for living allowance. To be eligible, you must have experience playing rugby at a high level and hold strong leadership skills and community involvement.
Documents for application include a CV of your sporting achievements, two relevant references from individuals who can support sporting achievements and evidence of your leadership. As a recipient of this scholarship, you will represent Bond University Rugby Club in competitions.
3. David Clarke Memorial Scholarship
This is one of the scholarships on our list of rugby scholarships in Australia. It is offered by the University of Sydney to students who intend to become rugby players at the school. You must also demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and potential to be eligible for the scholarship. Eligible applicants must be from New Zealand or permanent residents or citizens of Australia.
You must have been accepted into a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program at the University of Sydney and be an active member of the University of Sydney Rugby Club. The scholarship value is $15, 000.
4. Southern Districts Rugby Club Scholarship
If you are a prospective or current student of the University of Wollongong and have an interest in playing rugby, you can apply for this scholarship. The scholarship is a partnership between the University of Wollongong and the Southern Districts Rugby Club to provide $18,000 of financial support to UOW students representing the Southern Districts Rugby Club.
UOW must have given you an unconditional offer of admission to be eligible for this scholarship.
5. Illawarra Rugby League Scholarship
Here is another rugby scholarship in Australia offered by the University of Wollongong (UOW)). It is offered annually to a player of the university affiliated with the Illawarra Rugby League Competition. The scholarship is aimed at encouraging and assisting the scholarship recipient to achieve their educational goals.
6. University of Queensland (UQ) Sport Achievement Scholarship
The University of Queensland has a Rugby Football Club (UQRFC), and every year as an agreement with UQ Sport, 8 UQ Sport Achievement Scholarships are offered to athletes playing Rugby Union for the club. There is also another rugby scholarship offered by Kings College to three first-year athletes playing for UQRFC. Each recipient will get $4,000 which is put towards their accommodation expenses.
There is also the Halley Appleby Memorial Scholarship that offers $3,000 to an apprentice of UQRFC which best embodies the attitude of Halley Appleby.
7. Easts Rugby Union Griffith University Scholarship
Here is another option for aspiring rugby players in Australia. The Easts Rugby Union Griffith University Scholarship is for those who would like to play rugby at Griffith University on a scholarship. It is targeted at Easts Rugby Union Players enrolled in undergraduate-level programs. The scholarship value is $5,000.
To be eligible, you must be a citizen of Australia and have a GPA of 4 or above if you are a current student.
Conclusion
For those looking to pursue their passion for rugby while obtaining a quality education, the Land Down Under offers boundless opportunities for training and competition as well as scholarships which makes it the perfect place to take your game to the next level. With world-class universities and a vibrant culture, you will be able to balance your studies with your love of rugby. So, lace up your boots, get ready to scrum down, and go for the try line.
Recommendations
- 5 Best Rugby Scholarships in USA
. - 15 Best Rugby Scholarships in Canada
. - 15 Best Rugby Scholarships in UK
. - 8 Best Rugby Scholarships in Scotland – A Guide for Talented Young Players
. - Top 15 Colleges that Offer Rugby Scholarships