Five talented athletes have scored prestigious scholarships that are helping them study while pursuing their sporting ambitions in Hawke’s Bay.

The Sport Hawke’s Bay and EIT sport scholarship winners are cheerleader Taylor Pettinari, cricketer Ben Stoyanoff, motorcross racer Ellie Kennedy, footballer Ruben Parker and surf lifesaver Keegan Merwood.

Awarded to selected athletes committed to representing Hawke’s Bay and studying at EIT, the $2000 scholarships can be used for purposes that include training equipment, travel for competition and study fees.

Taylor, studying EIT’s Diploma in Recreation and Sport, has been cheerleading since the age of five.

The sport is a cross between power lifting, gymnastics and dance, she says, rather than the entertainment seen at sports fixtures.  A hotspot for cheerleading, New Zealand is currently ranked seventh in the world.

Taylor will compete with her Bay City Cheerleaders team at an international event being staged in Hawaii mid-year.

A pace bowler, Ben rates his Central Districts A team selection and the opportunity to be part of a squad for the Stags, the Central Districts’ professional team, as his greatest cricket achievement to date.

In the second year of his Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), Ben is enjoying EIT study.  “It’s full on because it’s really practical,” he says of the degree’s structure.  Students spend two days a week at designated Hawke’s Bay schools and two on campus.

A Diploma in Recreation and Sport student, Ellie took up motorcross at the age of seven after her father bought her a motorbike.

“I’ve done it ever since,” the 17-year-old says.  ““I like doing long distance, so actually it’s more cross country.”

After winning the 2014/15 nationals for junior women, the Bush Riders Motorcycle Club member chose to move into seniors where she enjoys more competition.

“I race with the male riders but within that there are different classes.  It’s a sport that doesn’t attract many women.  I believe that’s because of people’s stereotyping – that fuels the rest of us that do race.  I want to prove people wrong,” she says. “Girls can do anything.”

A second-year Bachelor of Wine Science student, goal keeper Ruben finished the last season with Canterbury United and returned to Hawke’s Bay to play for Napier City Rovers.

He first played football in the northwest of Spain, where his parents worked as Christian missionaries, but it was visiting New Zealand wineries just over a year ago that triggered his love of wine.

In New Zealand’s under 20s cricket squad, Ruben was out of play for five months after dislocating his shoulder.  That brought home the reality of players’ vulnerability to injury.

“I don’t play sport thinking that, but I appreciate that I won’t be playing football for the rest of my life which is why I see a tertiary qualification as important.”

A second-year Bachelor of Recreation and Sport student, Keegan races ISBs, the inflatable surf lifesaving boats that make such spectacular viewing as they crest giant waves.

The Waimarama Surf Lifesaving Club member and long-time surfer embraces challenge and is aiming for a career in adventure tourism once he’s completed his degree.   Right now, however, the challenge is balancing the demands of training, studying and working part-time at a Havelock North cinema.

 

Five talented athletes have scored prestigious scholarships that are helping them study while pursuing their sporting ambitions in Hawke’s Bay.

The Sport Hawke’s Bay and EIT sport scholarship winners are cheerleader Taylor Pettinari, cricketer Ben Stoyanoff, motorcross racer Ellie Kennedy, footballer Ruben Parker and surf lifesaver Keegan Merwood.

Awarded to selected athletes committed to representing Hawke’s Bay and studying at EIT, the $2000 scholarships can be used for purposes that include training equipment, travel for competition and study fees.

Taylor, studying EIT’s Diploma in Recreation and Sport, has been cheerleading since the age of five.

The sport is a cross between power lifting, gymnastics and dance, she says, rather than the entertainment seen at sports fixtures.  A hotspot for cheerleading, New Zealand is currently ranked seventh in the world.

Taylor will compete with her Bay City Cheerleaders team at an international event being staged in Hawaii mid-year.

A pace bowler, Ben rates his Central Districts A team selection and the opportunity to be part of a squad for the Stags, the Central Districts’ professional team, as his greatest cricket achievement to date.

In the second year of his Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), Ben is enjoying EIT study.  “It’s full on because it’s really practical,” he says of the degree’s structure.  Students spend two days a week at designated Hawke’s Bay schools and two on campus.

A Diploma in Recreation and Sport student, Ellie took up motorcross at the age of seven after her father bought her a motorbike.

“I’ve done it ever since,” the 17-year-old says.  ““I like doing long distance, so actually it’s more cross country.”

After winning the 2014/15 nationals for junior women, the Bush Riders Motorcycle Club member chose to move into seniors where she enjoys more competition.

“I race with the male riders but within that there are different classes.  It’s a sport that doesn’t attract many women.  I believe that’s because of people’s stereotyping – that fuels the rest of us that do race.  I want to prove people wrong,” she says. “Girls can do anything.”

A second-year Bachelor of Wine Science student, goal keeper Ruben finished the last season with Canterbury United and returned to Hawke’s Bay to play for Napier City Rovers.

He first played football in the northwest of Spain, where his parents worked as Christian missionaries, but it was visiting New Zealand wineries just over a year ago that triggered his love of wine.

In New Zealand’s under 20s cricket squad, Ruben was out of play for five months after dislocating his shoulder.  That brought home the reality of players’ vulnerability to injury.

“I don’t play sport thinking that, but I appreciate that I won’t be playing football for the rest of my life which is why I see a tertiary qualification as important.”

A second-year Bachelor of Recreation and Sport student, Keegan races ISBs, the inflatable surf lifesaving boats that make such spectacular viewing as they crest giant waves.

The Waimarama Surf Lifesaving Club member and long-time surfer embraces challenge and is aiming for a career in adventure tourism once he’s completed his degree.   Right now, however, the challenge is balancing the demands of training, studying and working part-time at a Havelock North cinema.