Playing the game

LIKE the rest of the country, West Auckland prides itself on its rugby-playing abilities.

And competition is fierce between schools for pupils who play the game well.

A couple of schools are known to lure players from the Pacific Islands to join their First XV. Others poach players from nearby schools.

Avondale College principal Phil Raffills will next year introduce six scholarships for pupils who show a talent in sport.

He also plans to offer scholarships for pupils with outstanding musical abilities.

Mr Raffills says the scholarships are to compete with the growing professionalism of school sport, especially rugby.

"If we are going to compete successfully, at least in rugby, we have to compete with other schools that do the same thing."

The scholarships, six in sports and up to four in music, will pay for tuition. They are worth about $1000 for local students and $10,000 for foreign students.

Mr Raffills says rugby prowess, like academic results, is definitely image-driven.

However, he believes astute parents will still judge the school on its academic results rather than on whether the First XV wins on Saturday.