The U.S. Rugby Foundation & the Graham Downes Fund Opens Applications for 2026 Nelson College Scholarships
Nelson College is an all-boys boarding school located in Nelson on New Zealand’s South Island. Founded in 1856, Nelson College is New Zealand’s oldest secondary school, and is the home of New Zealand Rugby, with the first game of rugby being played here in 1857. Located on the shores of Tasman Bay, Nelson is a small city with a vibrant and diverse culture. Known as the “sunshine capital” of New Zealand, the area is blessed with stunning natural landscapes.
The Rugby Curriculum: Nelson College is a highly acclaimed academic institution where students carry a full course workload. What sets it apart - their point of difference - is their unique, even by New Zealand standards, Rugby Curriculum.
Of the 1,000 students enrolled at Nelson College, 260 play rugby across 16 teams. “Pathways players” participate in a formal rugby curriculum where Rugby Academy technique classes are run daily for three different age groups Year 10 boys (U15), Year 12 boys (U17) and Year 13 boys (U18).
Rugby Academy classes are based around the following six pillars of player development: Technical; Tactical; Strength and Conditioning; Nutrition; Mental Skills; and Personal Development.
A perennial rugby powerhouse, the Nelson College Rugby Program has developed five All-Blacks over the last ten years and twenty-three All-Blacks overall. Fifteen current New Zealand Super Rugby players and thirty current National Provincial Championship (NPC) players are graduates of Nelson College.
Timing: The scholarship is for a 4-1/2-month stay at Nelson College from, roughly, mid-March to mid-August 2026, which coincides with the start of the Nelson College rugby training and runs through the end of the Nelson College rugby season. The USRF President will announce the scholarship award winner(s) at the start of 2026.
Eligibility: The USRF is accepting applications from U.S. high school male rugby players who are in good standing with their rugby team and their school. Applicants must have been born in 2008 or later.
What the Coaches are Looking For: The Nelson College coaching staff is looking for players who “are mature, are coachable with a positive attitude, have a strong work ethic, and are resilient under pressure.”
What the Scholarship Covers: The scholarship covers the cost of attending Nelson College, including tuition; boarding either at the school or in a homestay; travel and medical insurance; uniforms; extracurricular activities; and NZ government and administrative fees. Airfare for the student to and from New Zealand is also included.
Application Requirements: Each application must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s rugby coach(es), his high school transcript and other relevant information explained in the on-line application. Finalists will be interviewed virtually by the Nelson College Scholarship Committee. Completed applications and all recommendations are due by Friday, December 5th, 2025. To apply.
Nelson College Interfaces: Once our scholarship recipient is selected and admitted, the school’s International Dept. will liaise with him and his family about all education, boarding, passport, visas, etc. The Rugby Dept. will look after the rugby side. While at Nelson, the student will meet regularly with both groups for progress checkups.
Nelson College Academics: The student will have a normal high school course workload (core subjects and electives), in addition to the rugby curriculum. Nelson College will work with the student’s U.S. high school regarding academic synchronization and the transfer of academic credits to ensure no loss of academic standing.
Coaches’ Perspectives: Jonathan “Jono” Phillips is the architect of the Nelson College Rugby Curriculum and a founding father of the Nelson College Rugby Scholarship. Jono, a member of the Selection Committee, noted “It is a great privilege for Nelson College to partner with the U.S. Rugby Foundation. Having this opportunity to work with the Foundation and sharing the rugby pathway developed at Nelson College with aspiring young American rugby players is something the Nelson College coaching staff has very much welcomed.”
Greg Foe took over the 1st XV Head Coaching reins from Jono in 2025. Greg, a former Samoa International player, with previous roles as Nelson Strength and Conditioning Coach and a key contributor to the Nelson Rugby Academy Curriculum classes, oversees player development through the Rugby Academy. A Selection Committee member, Greg noted: “It’s been an honor and a pleasure working with these young American players. These talented and hard working kids have been great ambassadors for American rugby.
Previous Scholarship Recipients: The Nelson College Scholarship Grants have placed seven young men at Nelson College over the past three years. To learn more about their stories: who they are, where they are from, their reflections on their experiences at Nelson, and where they are now, Click Here.
Questions: Any questions about the Nelson College Scholarship program, the application process, the school, the rugby program, boarding arrangements, etc., should be directed to any one of the Nelson College Scholarship Committee members below:
Jon Hinkin | (702) 267-8354 | jhinkin@usrugbyfoundation.com
John Decker | (859) 539-5124 | johndecker7@gmail.com
Sarah Kaler | (314) 602-7800 | kaler.sarah@gmail.com
If you have a specific technical question with regard to the Application form or the Application web site, direct your question to:
Bob Benson | (650) 520-1060 | rwbenson@sbcglobal.net
