Aspiring top rowers based in the top of the South Island now have even more reason to stay in the region thanks to a new scholarship being offered through Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology.
The Central Region Rowing Development Trust, which administers the Central Region Rowing High Performance Centre in Blenheim has just signed an agreement with NMIT which means their rowing athletes have the chance to study at NMIT while they’re training for their sport.
NMIT will provide $3500 worth of scholarships, which can be split amongst qualifying athletes at the High Performance Centre. The scholarship amount will go towards course fees for the rowers who meet the programme entry criteria.
Central Region Rowing Development Trust Spokesperson Sharon Williamson says it’s a great bonus to be able to offer these rowing athletes an opportunity to undertake tertiary education alongside their sports training.
“This gives our central region rowers something extra. We believe it will help make more rounded athletes if they can gain valuable knowledge for a career alongside or to support their rowing. The value of these scholarships from NMIT is more than just financial – they’re offering our rowers a whole new world of opportunity and personal and professional growth,” says Sharon.
NMIT Chief Executive Tony Gray says the NMIT scholarships are a great way to help talented young people stay in the Nelson/Marlborough region and be able to pursue their dreams.
“As we’ve already proven with the Nelson Giants and Makos scholarships, our great athletes also want the ability to be able to plan for a career outside of sport. These scholarships help them make that transition to tertiary education easy.”
As with NMIT’s other sporting scholarships, the athletes are not limited to taking fitness-related courses. The athletes can choose to take any NMIT programme at either the Nelson or Blenheim campus.
“We’ve had athletes taking commerce degrees and trades courses, so the options are wide open,” says Tony Gray.
Regional Development Coach for the Central Region , Mark James, says the scholarships are an exciting new development.
“I think this is a great benefit to the rowers. It’s something I’ve not been involved with before but it is such an obvious benefit and it really will add another string to their bows if they can add a qualification to their CVs. I hope it means that we can keep more of our rowing athletes staying in the top-of-the-south all year round. The scholarships are a great incentive to stay and study.”
Mark James says having another interest outside a top sport can be very rewarding for athletes.
“I know from own experience that it helps to be able to re-focus mind and body away from your sport. Not only does it use different part of your brain but it also means that when you come back onto the water after time away, you have a renewed energy and enthusiasm.”
