NWU SPORTS BURSARIES: FUNDING FUTURE ATHLETES

Lesiba Dikhoba 

@lesiba.dikhoba 

In a competitive and financially demanding academic setting, the North-West University’s (NWU) sports bursary program offers crucial support for talented athletes. The High Performance Institute’s bursary prioritises its various sports programs based on budget availability. 

The eligibility criteria for a sports bursary is strictly based on merit and reviewed annually, with applications accepted from May to October of the preceding year and a supplementary trial perioid held in January. 

NWU’s sports bursary functions as a financial aid instead of a full scholarship, with funds distributed directly into the students account in two instalments — one at the end of April and another at the end of July. This is according to Corene Middleton, the NWU Potchefstroom Sport secretary. 

Moreover, students can apply for multiple sports, but due to high demand, bursary awards are typically restricted to one sport per person. “Students can list multiple sports on their CV but can only qualify for a bursary in one sport, due to the demanding nature of maintaining high performance in multiple sports. Benefits under the bursary program vary by sport and are managed by dedicated sports managers and coaches,” Middleton added. 

For benefiting athletes, a lapse in performance could lead to a complete cancellation or reduction of the bursary. “Students must reapply every year, and the bursary can be cancelled or increased based on the student’s achievements and academic performance. A lapse in performance could lead to a reduction or complete cancellation of the bursary, underscoring the importance of maintaining high standards,” noted Middleton. 

Sports managers play a significant role in the bursary program by evaluating applications, overseeing trials, deciding on bursary awards, and handling annual evaluations of bursary holders, according to Middleton. 

The NWU actively recruits high-profile athletes through prestigious events such as Craven Week. However, these athletes still need to meet the specified criteria for a bursary, and if they don’t make it through the trials, their bursary may be withdrawn. Bursaries are available for the following sporting codes: athletics, hockey, soccer, netball, golf, cricket, tennis, swimming, badminton, karate, gymnastics, chess, squash, and cycling.

The sports bursaries at the NWU displays the institution’s commitment towards fostering academic and athletic excellence and the programs ensures that the most dedicated and high-achieving athletes are rewarded. 

Edited by Christinet Zaal