First rugby scholarship recipients named

The name of a past rugby great is being used to help develop players of the future under a scheme being launched in Dunedin tomorrow.

The Charlie Saxton Society has been formed to develop, retain and recruit players in Otago, Southland and North Otago, the three southernmost provinces in New Zealand.

The society, named after the 1938 All Blacks halfback and captain of the Kiwis army team of 1945-46, will provide scholarships to assist players at the academies of each of the three unions.

Each scholarship, valued up to $10,000 per individual for 12 months, allows for the payment of a player's tertiary fees, course-related costs and accommodation expenses.

The society is chaired by the former All Blacks, Highlanders and Otago coach Tony Gilbert, who will oversee the scholarships programme.

The first two scholarship recipients are Dane Shelford, who is studying to be a teacher in Invercargill, and Chris Noakes, who is studying law and commerce at the University of Otago.

- NZPA