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John Drake Memorial Scholarship a timely tribute

Thursday 8 September 2011, 2:51PM

By University of Auckland

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Director of External Relations John Taylor, 2010 John Drake Memorial Scholarship recipient Matthew Matich, Cathy Drake and 2011 Scholarship recipient Sean Brookman.
Director of External Relations John Taylor, 2010 John Drake Memorial Scholarship recipient Matthew Matich, Cathy Drake and 2011 Scholarship recipient Sean Brookman. Credit: University of Auckland

The winner of an annual scholarship commemorating the life of former All Black and media personality John Drake will be announced almost 24 years after John formed part of the victorious 1987 World Cup All Blacks team.

The John Drake Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a promising individual in their final year of secondary school in New Zealand. The announcement of the 2012 recipient will be made at a rugby reunion dinner that will bring together members of the 1987 All Blacks team.

The winner of the scholarship will follow in the great All Black’s footsteps by studying at The University of Auckland, with the scholarship contributing towards his tuition fees for three years of full-time study.

The recipient will also play for John’s former club, University – a rugby club affiliated with The University of Auckland.

The performance of 2011 Scholarship winner Sean Brookman has been in the true spirit of the scholarship: studying towards a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts conjoint degree, membership of the championship winning University U21 rugby team, and winning selection into the Auckland regional U20 team.

Director of Rugby at the University club Robert Taylor has seen the merits of the scholarship first-hand. “The two recipients of the scholarship, inaugural winner Matthew Matich and Sean, have proven themselves worthy of the award by continuing to demonstrate their potential as sportsmen, scholars and respected members of the University club.

“The scholarship is a great tribute to a wonderful man and what better way to celebrate his memory than with less than a fortnight before the World Cup Final, alongside his team mates and almost 24 years to the day since John ran off Eden Park as part of a champion All Black team.”

Applications for the scholarship will close 28 September.

The 1987 All Black Reunion Dinner will be held on 11 October.

For information on the John Drake Memorial Scholarship: www.johndrakescholarship.org.nz.

For information about the rugby reunion dinner: www.1987-rugby-reunion-dinner.com