Combining Sport and Academics

As a unique addition to career services, Crimson Education & Rangi Ruru provide an athletics track focusing on gaining athletes both domestic and international scholarships in addition to supporting student-athletes through the entire recruitment process. As this can be a complex journey, wrap around support is essential. As evidenced by our graduated student athletes, sport can be a fulfilling and prosperous route to take!

To say Holly Ffowcs Williams, 2019 Rangi Ruru graduate, is an accomplished young woman is an understatement. Holly is a celebrated athlete competing in both Cycling and Multisport events in addition to studying a conjoint degree of Environmental Science and Business at Auckland University of Technology after receiving their Academic Excellence Scholarship. Holly chose her current degree based on her experiences as an athlete and for having a passion to preserve our planet.

As Holly puts it: “By studying this degree, I would be making positive steps in preserving our planet and the human race from the biggest threat we have ever faced, global warming. As an athlete, I am constantly outdoors and each year I am feeling the temperature differences through the seasons and the effect it is having on my local environment. I also understand the effect it is having on farmers especially as there is often not enough rain in the summer months when they desperately need it. Droughts and fires are becoming more frequent in the summer across New Zealand as temperatures rise each year. I was out training in the area where the 2017 Port Hills fire started, and my family helped get people out of the valley it originated. This was a terrifying experience and burnt through huge amounts of friends’ farmland which I have helped restore. I have experienced first-hand the devastating effects of an event contributed to by climate change, and this is one of my motivators to be part of a desperately needed change”.

As a leader during her time at Rangi through her involvement as the Rangi Cycling Captain and coaching the U14 girls time trial team for South Island and Canterbury events, Holly had a positive effect on those around her. In addition to her service to others, Holly gained Excellence endorsements in NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3 while placing at multiple South Island and Canterbury level cycling and multisport events. She even competed at the Future ChampioNZ triathlon festival in the duathlon event placing 1st in the Junior Girls – her first win at a National level competition. As Holly wraps up her first year at University, Rangi cannot wait to see where the amazing feats her passion, athleticism, and academics take her.

Isabella Carter, 2018 Rangi Ruru graduate, is a powerhouse. During her time at school, Isabella balanced academics, sport, and community service with grace. As Head of Community in her last year at Rangi Ruru, Bella championed school spirit, managed and organised the Community Council, while leading multiple school wide events such as the much-anticipated Senior Dance. Given her leadership potential and proven track record, she was selected to represent Rangi Ruru at the 2018 Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia Student Leadership conference at Bond University in the Gold Coast, Australia.

Principal Sandra Hastie presenting Isabella Carter with 1st History and the Friends of Rangi Ruru Prize. Isabella also received The Sophie Savill Cup for Outstanding Sportswoman and Head of Community.

Holly and her friend, William, cycled the length of New Zealand as a fundraiser for Alzheimers NZ and in memory of William’s Grandfather.

In addition, Isabella represented Rangi Ruru in both Rugby and Rowing in her senior years. She was highly commended at the regional secondary schools’ Zonta awards for the best all-round young sportswoman who has achieved in more than one sporting code. Rowing would go on to prove to be her main sport as evidenced through her various sporting awards, including recipient of the cup for Most Outstanding Oarswoman 2016 and 2018. Isabella was selected to trial for the New Zealand Junior Rowing Team 2018 as a result of her rowing accomplishments and results in the legendary Maadi Cup Regatta. Globally, Isabella began to be recognised for her rowing talents, and started to be recruited by elite US universities. Ultimately, Bella was offered full ride scholarships to the University of California Los Angeles, University of Southern California, University of Virginia, University of California Berkeley and the University of Washington. After a fully funded trip to the US to tour universities, Isabella chose the University of Washington and was awarded a scholarship of $446,945 over four years. Words by Kristen Fox CRIMSON EDUCATION