New Zealand Embassy Matches USRF Scholarship Grants

San Diego, CA (August 15, 2007) – Two $1,000 college scholarship grants awarded by the USRF to two graduating high school seniors from the Hyde Leadership Public Charter School in Washington, DC have been matched by the New Zealand Embassy. Derrick Dorsey (pictured, left) and Byfield Parkingson were awarded the grants at graduation ceremonies earlier this month.“The New Zealand Embassy is pleased to contribute to the scholarship fund for two well-deserving Hyde Seniors, Byfield Parkingson and Derrick Dorsey,” said New Zealand Ambassador, Roy Ferguson. “It is great to see these young men achieving on and off the field and we are happy to play a small part in that. But really, it’s about how the sport of rugby has changed the direction of these young men’s lives. The Hyde School rugby program has been of immense benefit for the boys involved and I look forward to hearing of their achievements in the near future.”The New Zealand Embassy continues to support the Hyde rugby program with it’s Ambassador’s Shield match. This year’s Ambassador’s Shield game will take place on Sunday, November 18. More details for the match can be found at www.ambassadorsshield.com.Parkingson will be attending Radford University in Radford, VA while Dorsey will study accounting at Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, PA. Both will play rugby for their respective university teams while continuing their education.The USRF is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization established in 1963. Although its main focus is supporting youth and high school rugby, the Foundation also provides grants to coaches and referees; establishes international student exchanges and college scholarships, has assisted the United States Collegiate All-Americans and Boys Under-19 teams, and also provides grants to Safety and Risk Management Research.For more information about the Foundation, go to its website at: www.usrugbyfoundation.org.