Rugby grant given a try
Rugby-mad students are to be given a £1,000 bonus for each year of their course as a result of newly formulated plans.
Two new scholarships, which the university Rugby League Club hopes to offer annually, will be awarded to talented rugby league players applying from 2005 onwards.
The scheme is the first of its kind to allow application before entry to Oxford, as other sporting scholarships are only granted to students already studying at the University.
Rugby League big hitters have thrown their weight behind the scheme, with commentator Ray French and former Great Britain and Wigan captain Phil Clarke supporting the initiative. The Rugby Football League and Student Rugby League have also lent their support.
Matt Scaife, former OURLC President and scheme's driving force, said: "It will encourage applicants from traditional Rugby League areas who might have been put off by Oxford's image as a Rugby Union-dominated University."
It is hoped that the new move will help dispel the Oxford stereotype of public school 'rugger-buggers'.
However, Scaife admitted there is a considerable amount of fundraising to be done. "That will be the true test of the scheme," he said.
The University has welcomed the scheme, and a spokeswoman said it hoped the scheme would "encourage applicants from what have been traditionally under-represented areas of the country."
6th Oct 2004