4 Weeks Left to Apply for the Nelson College Scholarship
4 Weeks Left to Apply for the Nelson College Scholarship
There are four weeks left for HS Boys rugby players to apply for the US Rugby Foundation-supported Nelson College Scholarship.
Now in its third year, this scholarship program sends promising US male high school rugby players to New Zealand for an immersive 4-and-a-half-month experience. Students don’t just play rugby—they immerse themselves in it, learning, growing, and thriving both on and off the field in the sport’s heartland. In a nation where rugby is deeply ingrained in the culture, scholars not only refine their athletic skills but also gain a transformative educational and cultural experience.
The impact of this program has been profound. As Oliver Kirk, a 2023 Nelson College Scholarship Recipient, shared:
"Traveling to New Zealand to live, attend school and play rugby at Nelson College has without a doubt been one of the best experiences of my life. I came in having little idea what to expect, but even if I came in with high expectations they would have been easily surpassed."
Kirk not only attended Nelson College in 2023, he was asked back for 2024, and was the starting prop for the 1st XV as they won the South island schools title. Kirk was joined by Max Doerfler, who returned to St. Thomas Aquinas to be their captain. Doerfler picked up an injury which has delayed his entry into West Point, but that is where he will study and play next fall.
Kirk is now attending Cal.
Following on, JW Sarkees and Connor Bender attended this past Northern Hemisphere summer. Sarkees
Kirk (Chicago Lions Youth) went to Nelson in 2023 along with Maz Doerfler of St. Thomas Aquinas in Kansas. Doerfler returned to become the STA captain and make the USA U18 team. He was accepted to West Point but has been able to defer a year after injuring his knee. He is currently rehabbing and set to attend West Point in the fall of 2025.
Kirk was invited back by Nelson College for this season and was their starting loosehead prop as they went on to win the South Island schools championship. He is now set to attend and play rugby at Cal.
In 2024, along with Kirk, JW Sarkees of the Greer 76ers and Connor Bender of St. Ignatius in Cleveland received USRF Nelson College Scholarships. Both are back with their current HS teams as captains.
Key details of the scholarship:
Open to male U.S. high school rugby players born in 2007 or later
Covers tuition, boarding, travel, insurance, uniforms, and more
Runs from mid-April to mid-August 2025
Application deadline: November 30, 2024
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from this transformative experience, please encourage them to apply. This is a unique opportunity to develop rugby skills, gain international experience, and bring valuable knowledge back to their teams in America.
Timing: The scholarship for 2025, to be awarded by the end 2024, is for about four-and-a-half months at Nelson College from mid-April 2025 to mid-August 2025. This coincides with the start of the Nelson College rugby training and runs through the end of the Nelson College rugby season. The USRF President will announce the scholarship award winner(s) by the end of 2024.
Eligibility: The USRF is accepting applications from U.S. high school male rugby players who are in good standing with their rugby team and their school. Applicants must have been born in 2007 or later.
Key Characteristics: The Nelson College coaching staff is looking for players who “are mature, are coachable with a positive attitude, have a strong work ethic, and are resilient under pressure.”
Application Requirements: Each application must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s rugby coach(es), his high school transcript and other relevant information explained in the on-line application. Finalists will be interviewed virtually by the Nelson College Scholarship Committee. Completed applications and all recommendations are due by November 30, 2024. There are no extensions.
