2012 Sam Viskovich

Sam Viskovich is Sports Captain and Deputy Head Boy at Westlake Boys High School where he captained the first fifteen this year. Playing at flanker he was in the team for three years. In 2010 Westlake were the North Harbour Champions.

He is also involved in acting and debating. Last year he scored highly in the Cambridge International Examinations and he will be sitting NZQA scholarship exams in history, economics and statistics.

At university Sam plans to take a conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts. For his BCom he will do a double major in Economics and International Business while for his BA he will major in Psychology. His career ambition is to be a future business leader in New Zealand.

Sam quotes a Croatian family proverb passed down from his great-grandparents, translated as: "Give me knowledge and I'll give you wealth." He sees the Drake Scholarship as "the perfect opportunity to continue acquiring knowledge and gain wealth, not simply in money but in experience and values with which to make a positive and significant impact on society".

2011 - Sean Brookman

Sean was born in Pukekohe and spent his early life there. When his family moved to Sydney for several years, he attended the prestigious Kings School in Parramatta. He returned to New Zealand in 2005, enrolling at Mount Albert Grammar School, becoming a key member of their victorious Auckland Secondary Schools and National Championship winning team of 2010. Sean will be easily spotted around University as he is a big lad for a seventeen year old, 6 foot 5ins inches tall and weighing 108kg.

Matthew Matich congratulated by former All Black captain and Patron of the John Drake Memorial Scholarship – Sir John Graham

2010 - Matthew Matich

It did not take long for Matthew to start his University playing career after finishing his college days at Mount Albert Grammar. Nor has it taken him long to display all the good qualities of a very worthy recipient of the Scholarship.

Matthew has been involved with the University Sevens team since late 2009 and has since played in two other tournaments in the New Year with the last being at the Mount Maunganui tournament.

It is clearly evident that he is a no-nonsense workhorse who goes about his job in similar fashion to John Drake. You will not see too much flashy play from Matthew, but a player that is seen doing all the hard work and is never further than two metres from the ball at all times.

An easy personality that has effortlessly become a Mighty Blue already. The proud Northlander is already know as the Taniwha by some of his new club-mates.

Matthew will be very well coached by former Kings College 1st XV coaches Jim Dickin and Mark Kennelly in the Under 21 grade. What is shaping to be a very strong team in 2010, he will play a major role in the on and off field leadership and overall success.

"Matthew Matich, our first John Drake Memorial Scholar, has made an impressive start to his association with the University Rugby Club. He has gained entry into the demanding and prestigious Engineering Faculty as a result of a very strong performance in his final School NCEA examinations. This begins to fulfil the first part of his scholarship - to achieve in his academic studies. His rugby has also started well; he has impressed as a sevens player for the club and in his pre-season training for the University Under 21 team. In his general demeanour as a strong team man, he has quickly become part of the University rugby family. Matthew has made a most encouraging start as our inaugural John Drake Scholar and all at the Club will be following his progress with interest."
Sir John Graham, Patron, John Drake Memorial Scholarship Fund

"Matthew Matich is studying for the BE (Hons) degree. He achieved very good results in his final examinations for NCEA Level 3 and was selected for the Bachelor of Engineering degree. Matthew has done well academically as the University of Auckland now selects students for entry to all degree programmes and the entry standard for Engineering is higher than most other programmes.

The John Drake Memorial Scholarship will ease the financial burden for Matthew and help him to pay his University fees and living costs. The scholarship will give Matthew more time to devote to his study and rugby with less need for paid employment to cover his costs."
Ken Rapson - Auckland University Schools Partnership Office

View the photo gallery here:

http://www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/johndrakememorialscholarshipreceptionphotosandvideo

View the videos here:

http://www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/johndrakememorialscholarshipreceptionspeakervideos