At the 2009 AURFC Annual Luncheon, All Black Coach Graham Henry launched the JOHN DRAKE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP.

John Drake created his own legend with an exceptional rugby career and a distinguished service in the media related to rugby. He was a great credit to Auckland University Rugby Football Club fulfilling all its best hopes for player performance.

A Memorial Scholarship is an honor befitting such an outstanding individual and is the most appropriate way to focus his example in the minds of young aspiring players toward emulating these outcomes.

The core objective for the Scholarship is to support a young promising individual who displays the potential to develop the attitude and success of John Drake. The Scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis. Former All Black Captain and University player John Graham will act as the Patron to the Scholarship.

The Scholarship will support the winner’s tuition at the University of Auckland while the individual will play in John’s footsteps at the University club. The combination of these powerful influences will contribute to the rounding of the individual, to mirror success on the rugby field, with a personal standing in the community.