Pathways to Excellence
We provide opportunities for promising players to improve their skills through scholarships, awards, and Pathways Grants for domestic and international player development.
The Graham Downes Development Grants and Pathways to Excellence High Performance Grants provide promising players the opportunity to grow as players, on and off the pitch, at domestic and international rugby academies.
Excellence in the News
Meet Pathways Recipients
The US Rugby Foundation strives to give every athlete the opportunity to achieve excellence. Two recipients of scholarships through the US Rugby Foundations Pathways of Excellence, Oliver Kirk and Max Doerfler, have reached the end of their term with Nelson College. Hear how these young athletes handled their time in New Zealand and strove for excellence.
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Meet Pathways Recipients
The US Rugby Foundation prides itself in opening pathways to excellence for as many athletes as possible. 2023 Pathway Recipients, JW Sarkees and Connor Bender, are about to enter their first term at Nelson College through the Pathways to Excellence program. Learn more about these athletes and their drive for excellence.
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Grant Recipients
Stories That Inspire
Meet a Pathways Recipient
With generous support from the Graham Downes Development Fund and the Pathways to Excellence Fund, U.S. U18s player Damian Morley spent over three months playing rugby at the world-renowned Stellenbosch Academy of Sport in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
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We Need Your Support
With additional funding, the Foundation could send more promising players to develop their skills through domestic and international rugby academies.
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