Sports Scholarships in Schools- Developing the Dual-Career Dream

The final session of the IBSC International Boys' Schools Coalition Boys in Sports Ideas Lab focused on the role of sports scholarships in schools. The session delved into the impact of sports scholarships on school sports programmes, why schools offer sports scholarships, and how schools evaluate the success of sports scholarship programmes. Understanding these aspects is essential for comprehending the school's selection process and criteria and finding strategies to support and maximise student-athletes' (holistic) potential while inspiring the dual-career dream.

A one-hour session was definitely not enough to unpack this topic, but in this piece, I will combine the findings from the sessions and findings from my ongoing PhD study, which focuses on sports scholarships in schools.

School sports (like those that are affiliated with the IBSC) face increasing pressure from various stakeholders to maintain a competitive edge. Offering sports scholarships is one way to secure top sporting talent and enhance the sports programme. While the school benefits from a talented individual, the student benefits from a school environment geared towards holistically developing the whole person. However, is this always the case? Schools are first and foremost for education, and there is a need for a more focused approach to holistically developing the whole person, not just schoolboy heroes.

Do we see too many sports scholarship students scoring the winning runs in cricket or scoring a winning try in rugby but not going on to make it in other areas of life after leaving school? I am not referring to becoming a professional athlete but rather to pursuing a degree, becoming a successful businessperson, teacher, coach, doctor, and so on. While there are certainly inspiring stories, such as that of two-time World Cup rugby-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, this is not always the case.

?True success lies in the student's ability to get stuck in and involved in everything.

This situation often arises because sports scholarship students are under immense pressure to perform and ‘win’ matches, and they believe their sole purpose is to excel in sports. Could this be because we, as a schooling system and (social media), promote the narrative that these students are only at school to play sports? As coaches, teachers, schools, and (parents?) we must work together to change this narrative. Sports scholarships are so much more. They elevate the standards of those around them and have been selected because they are talented/good, and it's our role as educators/teachers/coaches to develop that talent beyond just the sporting field!

Some key points to consider for your school sports scholarship programme:

·??????? Reason: Define your reason for offering sports scholarships

·??????? Recruitment & Selection Criteria: Have a detailed recruitment process for who recruits, how it is done and a clear selection criterion that focuses on 1) sport, 2) academics, and 3) character.

·??????? Support: Identify what support is required. Academic, personal, leadership development, sport, etc.

·??????? Parents' involvement: Understand the family background and determine what support they will provide.

·??????? Dual career: Sell the dual career aspiration/dream. Achieving off the field helps to achieve on the field!

·??????? Financial requirements- What is included? what is excluded?

·??????? After school- Assist in planning beyond school.

In conclusion, sports scholarships play a vital role in school sports programmes, offering numerous benefits but also presenting challenges. By adopting a more nuanced approach and focusing on holistic development, schools can ensure that sports scholarship students achieve success both on and off the field.

Develop more than schoolboy heroes...

What are your thoughts on developing the dual-career dream?

Jimmy Davies, Greg Di Losa Alan Lion-Cachet Jonny Mallett Benn McBrearty James Melville Charles Meredith Reuben Spicer Jack Joslin Bruce Collins (he/him) Ashley Robson Jamie Pybus