Western Province Rugby has finalised a three-year sponsorship agreement with STADIO Higher Education, which will give their junior contracted players access to bursaries to further their studies at a tertiary level.
STADIO Higher Education is a private higher education institution. It offers more than 50 accredited qualifications in eight schools via contact, distance and blended learning, across nine campuses, to over 42 000 students.
“We want our players to be well-rounded people with career options beyond rugby, so having a partner like STADIO is crucial,” said DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson. “If our players are well educated it also takes the pressure off their rugby as the only career option and allows them to express themselves with freedom. We hope to see this partnership grow in the years to come.”
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“At STADIO, we believe in the future of our nation and our message has resonated profoundly since our launch two years ago,” said STADIO CEO Chris Vorster. “We have made a difference by offering wide-ranging and affordable access to private higher education, and equipping our students to become the most empowered version of themselves. WP Rugby must be applauded for prioritising their players’ education outside the sport and we are proud to facilitate this process.”
Vorster explained that STADIO places its students at the heart of its ethos and will assist the Western Province Rugby players to complete their qualifications amidst the rigours of their stringent training regimes.
“We take a profound interest in what our students need,” he said. “We offer higher education specially designed to meet industry requirements and to accommodate our students’ diverse lifestyles. We pride ourselves in providing excellent support and service. We ensure that our students are important and valued while keeping things simple and focusing on what’s important. We are delighted to have the opportunity to assist these players.”