King's College hooker Awanui Morris and Auckland Grammar tighthead prop Antonio Ripata are the latest recipients of the John Drake Memorial Scholarship.
The annual scholarship evening was held on Thursday night at the Auckland University Rugby Football Club. This year was a first for the JDMS, with the awarding of two scholarships for the 2016 year. Recipients Awanuiarangi Morris and Antonio Ripata were presented their scholarships by Sir John Graham, and Cathy Drake, wife of the late John Drake.
The two year 13 students both impressed during the interview phase, and were honoured to join the illustrious group of scholars to represent the late John Drake and his old Auckland University club, where they will play their football from 2016 onwards.
The scholarship offers $5000 towards their tuition fees, and provides an opportunity to excel both on the field and within the classroom, without some of the financial burden associated with today's course fees.
Both recipients have excelled in their final year at secondary school. Ripata captained the Auckland Grammar School First XV to a fourth consecutive Auckland 1A championship final. Morris was a standout member of the King's College First XV, who reached the 1A semifinals, and leader of the college's kapa haka group. Deputy head prefects at their respective schools, both have represented either their region or country on the field. Awanui with Auckland U18s and Secondary Schools 7s and Antonio was a NZ Schools trialist and captain of the NZ Barbarians Schools in 2015 and also played for them in 2014.
