Young Achiever Award to inspire the future of Victorian rugby

Elite school level rugby union players will be able to pursue their academic and sporting dreams with the assistance of a new University of Melbourne-Victorian Schools? Rugby Union scholarship. The University of Melbourne Young Achiever Award will be awarded from 2012 to one of the three best players in the Victorian Schools? Rugby Union (VSRU) competition, as decided by the VSRU and the University. The education scholarship worth up to $5000 will be jointly funded by the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne University Rugby Football Club (MURFC) and is part of a broader 'Education Partner' agreement between the University and the new Super Rugby team the Melbourne Rebels. The University of Melbourne Provost Professor John Dewar will officially announce the new award at MURFC's 2011 Season Launch and Rebels Welcome reception at University House tonight. The function will be attended by many dignitaries including Rebels Chairman Mr Harold Mitchell AC, University of Melbourne Alumnus and Rebels CEO Ross Oakley and Rebels Julian Huxley and Luke Jones. Simon Davis, MURFC President, says the award will honor the spirit of former University alumnus Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop. 'We'll be looking for a player who exemplifies the attributes Sir Weary made famous, those of leadership, academic endeavor and sporting excellence.' 'Sir Weary started at the University club before becoming the first Victorian-born player to make the Wallabies squad.