The pressure that comes with a rugby scholarship; Ted Ward

Ted was a ‘late bloomer’ from playing first XV rugby for three years and only towards the ladder half of the year 13 season that he started to look at rep teams, and after making the Crusaders juniors camp team, he got told that Lincoln were leaning towards granting Ted a scholarship.

“I was tossing up from Lincoln and Otago University. But after being offered the scholarship at Lincoln, I knew the rugby programme is prestigious and there were a lot of all blacks and professional rugby players that have come through it. So I thought if I really wanted to give rugby a crack, staying here would be the best place to go.”

The scholarship was six thousand dollars a year towards tuition each year. For the first semester, they bring all the sports scholars together in accommodations that are paid for on campus. You can eat and bond for those first few months to enrich yourself in the environment.

“It's a big change from high school to come to a scholarship programme like this, so that's why they help you with everything for the first few months. It’s a good way to connect and meet new friends,” says Ward.

Ted’s doing a sport and recreation degree alongside his rugby, which sometimes can on the off chance, clash with rugby. But it is a well-layed programme to accommodate the degree alongside rugby. He’s not taking anything for granted though, as he isn't guaranteed to stay on the scholarship if he doesn't perform well in class or on the field.

“The first semester is a bit more generous as they know your new to the program, but if your not passing your courses, they won't put you in the program if you can’t handle both."

Ted says the first year is an important season for your rugby because that's when your most looked at by academies throughout the country, so it is important to get your name out there.

He says he wants to see himself come out of university and play for an NPC (National Provincial Championships) team to see how far he can take himself.