Players Scholarships: Supporting Young New Zealand Athletes

Mike Wood · 29 July, 2026

Players Scholarships is an annual athlete support programme created by Players Sports for young New Zealanders aged 10-15. Selected athletes receive sport-specific gear from Players Sports and an associated brand partner for 12 months. The programme supports commitment, development and positive sporting values, rather than simply rewarding results, representative honours or a large social media following.

This guide explains what Players Scholarships are, who can apply, how recipients are selected and how young athletes can prepare a strong future application.

Key takeaways

Players Scholarships support New Zealand-based athletes aged 10-15 with sport-specific performance gear rather than cash.
Applicants do not need to be elite or representative athletes, but they must be actively competing and committed to improving.
Selection considers training, attitude, teamwork, goals, self-awareness and how meaningful the support would be.
Applications should be written in the young athlete’s own words so their personality, motivation and sporting values are clear.
Scholarship sports, brand partners, application dates and gear allocations may change between annual intakes.
Players Scholarships launched in 2025 and continued in 2026, when more than 600 young athletes applied for 12 places.

What are Players Scholarships?

Players Scholarships is a gear-backed athlete support programme run by Players Sports, a New Zealand-owned specialist sports retailer. It was created to help committed young athletes access suitable sporting equipment while recognising the work they put into training, competition and being a good teammate.

Each scholarship is connected to a particular sport and brand. Rather than receiving a cash grant, the selected athlete receives gear support chosen for their sport, size and development needs. Product selection and availability are determined by Players Sports and the relevant brand partner.

The scholarship normally runs for 12 months. During that period, recipients may also take part in reasonable photography, video, social media, store or brand activity. A parent or legal guardian must agree to the programme conditions.

The exact number of scholarships, included sports, participating brands and gear allocations can change each year. Applicants should always use the current intake page as the final source of eligibility requirements and programme terms.

Why did Players Sports create the programme?

Players Scholarships were created to put practical support back into New Zealand junior sport. We work with young athletes, parents, schools and clubs every day, so we understand how quickly the cost of suitable equipment can build across a sporting year.

Boots wear out. Growing athletes change sizes. Cricket bats, hockey sticks, rackets and protective equipment must suit the player rather than simply carry the right logo. Some athletes also compete in several environments, from school and club sport to academies and representative programmes.

Gear alone does not create an athlete, but having equipment that is suitable, correctly fitted and ready for competition can remove one barrier from the pathway. Players Scholarships allow us and our brand partners to back young people who are already taking responsibility for their development.

The programme also reflects a broader point about grassroots sport: support should recognise more than trophies. Training habits, attitude, teamwork, resilience and clear goals all matter, particularly for athletes who are still developing physically and personally.

Who can apply for Players Scholarships?

Players Scholarships are intended for New Zealand-based athletes aged 10-15 who actively compete in an eligible sport. Applicants may participate through a school, club, academy or representative programme.

For the 2026 intake, applicants needed to:

Be aged 10-15 at the time of application
Live in New Zealand for the scholarship period
Compete actively in an eligible sport
Train regularly and show a commitment to improving
Demonstrate a positive attitude towards their team and sport
Explain how gear support would make a meaningful difference
Apply for one sport and brand-specific scholarship
Have a parent or legal guardian accept the programme terms

You do not need to be a national champion or representative player to be considered. A young athlete who consistently trains, supports teammates, responds well to coaching and has thoughtful goals may present a stronger case than someone who lists achievements without explaining their effort or development.

Eligibility can change between intakes, so families should check the current application announcement before applying.

Which sports are included?

The sports offered through Players Scholarships depend on the brand partnerships confirmed for each annual intake.

The 2026 programme included scholarships across:

Cricket
Football
Hockey
Netball
Rugby
Rugby league
Tennis

These were aligned with ASICS, Gray-Nicolls, Kookaburra, adidas, New Balance, Grays, Babolat and Wilson. Twelve scholarships were awarded in total.

The inaugural 2025 programme had a different mix, with 16 scholarships across cricket, football, hockey, netball, rugby, rugby league, tennis and touch rugby. This shows why applicants should not assume that the same sports, brands or number of places will return unchanged each year.

What does a Players Scholarship include?

A Players Scholarship provides sport-specific performance gear from the relevant brand partner for a 12-month programme. It is equipment support, not a cash payment, voucher or prize that can be transferred to someone else.

The exact gear depends on the athlete’s sport, scholarship brand, size, product availability and the terms of that year’s programme. Support could relate to important playing equipment such as:

Boots or sport-specific shoes
Cricket bats and protective equipment
Hockey sticks, bags and protective equipment
Tennis rackets, strings, bags and footwear
Training footwear
Sports bags
Training or lifestyle apparel, where provided by the brand

These examples should not be treated as a guaranteed allocation for future intakes. The current application page and scholarship terms will confirm what applies.

This flexibility is important. Young athletes develop at different rates and may require different sizes, models or specifications. Appropriate gear should suit the player’s sport and current needs rather than being selected solely because it is the most expensive option.

How are Players Scholarships selected?

Players Scholarships are selected by the Players Sports team, with input from participating brand partners where appropriate. Selection focuses on commitment, attitude, goals, self-awareness, sporting alignment and how meaningful the support would be to the applicant.

The main considerations include:

Commitment to training and competition

Applicants should show what they are already doing to improve. That may include regular team training, individual skill work, strength and conditioning, coaching sessions or consistent participation across a school or club season.

Specific examples are more useful than saying, “I train hard.” Explain how often you train, what you are working on and how you respond when progress is difficult.

Attitude and teamwork

Being a good teammate is part of being a good athlete. Players Sports looks for applicants who understand how they contribute beyond their own performance.

That could mean encouraging teammates, listening to coaches, helping younger players, responding positively after a loss or being dependable at training. The strongest answers explain what the athlete actually does.

Clear sporting goals

A good goal does not have to be winning a national title. It should be relevant to the athlete’s current level and supported by a practical plan.

Examples could include earning a place in a higher-grade team, improving a specific skill, becoming fitter for a position, developing consistency or taking on more responsibility within a team.

Alignment with the sport and brand

Each scholarship is associated with a particular sport and brand, so the athlete should understand what they are applying for. A genuine explanation of why the brand suits their sport or existing gear preferences is more convincing than repeating advertising language.

The likely value of the support

Applicants should explain how sport-specific equipment would help their training or competition. This does not require sharing private financial information.

The practical difference might be having footwear suitable for regular training, replacing worn equipment, accessing a racket or bat suited to the athlete’s development, or reducing pressure on a family supporting several sporting commitments.

The athlete’s own voice

Applications should sound like the young person who is applying. Parents can help with spelling, structure and checking that every question has been answered, especially for younger applicants, but they should not replace the athlete’s thoughts with an adult-written submission.

Social media following was not part of the 2026 selection criteria. Applicants were assessed on their sport, mindset, values and the potential impact of the support.

How competitive are Players Scholarships?

Players Scholarships are highly competitive. More than 600 applications were received for the 12 scholarships offered in 2026, meaning many strong applicants could not be selected.

Not receiving a scholarship does not mean an athlete lacks ability or potential. With a limited number of places across different sports and brands, selection also depends on programme fit, the available scholarship mix and where the gear support can make a meaningful difference.

A thoughtful application is still worthwhile. Preparing one encourages a young athlete to reflect on recent progress, future goals, teamwork and what support would help them take the next step.

How should young athletes prepare a strong application?

A strong Players Scholarships application is specific, honest and written in the athlete’s own words. It should help the selection team understand the person behind the results.

1. Check the current eligibility requirements

Read the complete application page before writing anything. Confirm the athlete’s age, location, sport and intended scholarship meet that intake’s conditions.

Check the closing date carefully. Late applications were not considered in 2026.

2. Choose the right scholarship

Applicants have previously been limited to one scholarship, so the choice should match the athlete’s primary sport and a brand they genuinely know or use.

Avoid selecting a scholarship simply because it appears less competitive. A clear connection between the athlete, sport and brand will usually produce a more convincing application.

3. Gather sporting details

Before drafting, make a short list of:

Teams, clubs, schools and academies from the previous two years
Competitions and grades played
Relevant achievements or milestones
Weekly training commitments
Skills currently being developed
Short and medium-term sporting goals
Examples of teamwork or leadership
How gear support would help

This prevents important information being forgotten while keeping the final answer focused.

4. Use specific examples

Compare these two statements:

I am committed to football and always work hard.

I train with my club twice a week, practise my first touch at home and have started an extra running session to improve my fitness late in matches.

The second answer gives the selection team something concrete to assess. The same approach applies to teamwork, goals and overcoming setbacks.

5. Be honest about the athlete’s current level

There is no need to make school or club achievements sound bigger than they are. Applicants should state their team, grade, competition and role accurately.

Development is not a straight line at ages 10–15. An honest account of what an athlete is working towards can show more maturity than an exaggerated list of results.

6. Explain how the support would be used

Describe the practical effect of receiving suitable gear. Explain what the athlete currently uses, what demands their sport places on the equipment and how the support would help across training and competition.

Do not turn this section into a shopping list. Connect the gear to the athlete’s real sporting needs.

7. Keep the athlete’s personality in the application

A polished adult answer is not automatically a strong answer. The selection team wants to understand how the athlete thinks, what motivates them and what being part of the programme would mean.

Parents should encourage detail by asking questions, then let the athlete express the answers naturally.

8. Check the application before sending

Confirm that:

Every required question has been answered
Names, ages, teams and achievements are accurate
The correct scholarship is named
The subject line follows the stated format
Any attachment limits are followed
Parent or guardian requirements have been completed
The application is sent before the deadline

Common application mistakes to avoid

The most common weakness in a sports scholarship application is being too general. Claims such as “I love sport”, “I work hard” or “this would mean everything” need examples to carry weight.

Other mistakes to avoid include:

Allowing a parent or AI tool to remove the athlete’s natural voice
Listing achievements without discussing attitude or development
Focusing only on future professional ambitions
Applying for a brand the athlete cannot meaningfully discuss
Exaggerating teams, grades, awards or representative selection
Assuming photos or an edited video matter more than written answers
Treating the scholarship as free gear rather than a 12-month commitment
Ignoring promotional participation or guardian consent requirements
Sending an incomplete or late application

For the 2026 intake, photos and video were optional. Applicants could include up to three photos and one video, but clear written answers remained more important than visual production quality.

What is expected from a scholarship recipient?

Players Scholarship recipients are expected to continue demonstrating commitment to their sport and to represent Players Sports and the partner brand positively throughout the programme.

Recipients may be asked to participate in reasonable content or promotional activity, including photography, video, social media, digital marketing or in-store material. This can give young athletes useful experience communicating about their sport, but families should understand and accept this requirement before applying.

Gear is supplied to the named recipient and is not normally exchangeable, transferable or redeemable for cash. Sizing, model selection and availability are managed by Players Sports and the brand partner under the terms of that intake.

Schoolwork, wellbeing and enjoyment should still remain in perspective. The scholarship is designed to support a young person’s sporting development, not add pressure or create an expectation that they must become a professional athlete.

Players Scholarships 2026 recipients

The 2026 Players Scholarships recipients were selected from more than 600 applications across New Zealand.

Cricket

Gray-Nicolls: Noah Townrow
Kookaburra: Ollie Peachey

Football

adidas: Lexi Hedington
New Balance: Joshua Daniels

Hockey

Grays: Ollie Alabaster
Kookaburra: Kalara Green

Netball

ASICS: Ailey Ale
adidas: Katana Nomis Wilson

Rugby and rugby league

adidas Rugby: Elliot Chan Chui
ASICS Rugby League: Lucah Lealaisalanoa

Tennis

Babolat: Isabella Cheung Javurek
Wilson: Louis Krafft

The recipients represent different sports, locations, teams and development pathways. What connects them is the commitment they have already shown and their potential to make good use of the support.

How parents can support an application

Parents can provide useful support without taking over the application. The best role is to help the athlete think, organise and check rather than writing the answers for them.

Parents and guardians can:

Help confirm dates, team names and competition details
Ask follow-up questions that encourage specific examples
Proofread for clarity without changing the athlete’s personality
Discuss the responsibilities attached to being a recipient
Review privacy, consent and promotional requirements
Make sure the application is submitted correctly and on time

It is also worth helping the athlete keep the result in perspective. Hundreds of committed young people may apply for a small number of places. Being unsuccessful should not diminish the work already being done at school, club or representative level.

Why choose Players Sports for young athlete support in New Zealand?

Players Sports combines specialist sporting-goods knowledge with direct involvement in New Zealand clubs, schools, athletes and sporting communities. The Players Scholarships programme turns those supplier relationships and equipment capabilities into practical support for young athletes across several sports.

Sport-specific support: Each scholarship is aligned with a sport and established performance brand, allowing equipment to be selected for the athlete’s actual playing needs.
Multi-sport knowledge: Our team works across cricket, football, hockey, netball, rugby, rugby league, tennis and other major New Zealand sports.
Strong brand relationships: Support from brands such as ASICS, adidas, Babolat, Gray-Nicolls, Grays, Kookaburra, New Balance and Wilson helps make the programme possible.
Local accountability: Players Sports is New Zealand owned and operated, with Auckland stores and an online operation serving athletes, families, teams, schools and clubs nationwide.
Ongoing community involvement: The programme sits alongside our work with grassroots clubs, sporting organisations, events and athletes rather than operating as a one-off competition.

Young athletes and parents can follow Players Sports for the next application announcement or speak with our team if they need practical help choosing suitable gear in the meantime.

When will the next Players Scholarships open?

Players Sports expects the next scholarship intake to open in early 2027, but dates, sports, brands and eligibility conditions should be treated as unconfirmed until the official announcement is published.

Future applicants can prepare by keeping a simple record of teams, competitions, training, achievements and personal development throughout the year. This makes it easier to provide accurate, detailed answers when applications open.

Following Players Sports’ website, email updates and social channels is the most reliable way to see the next announcement. Families should apply through the method stated on the current intake page rather than relying on instructions from an earlier year.

Frequently asked questions - Players Scholarships Programme

Are Players Scholarships cash scholarships?

No. Players Scholarships provide sport-specific gear support rather than a cash payment. Equipment is supplied by Players Sports with support from the associated brand partner. The exact products depend on the sport, athlete, sizing, availability and current programme terms, and gear cannot normally be transferred or redeemed for cash.

Does an applicant need to be a representative athlete?

No. Players Scholarships are not restricted to representative or elite athletes. School, club and academy competitors may apply when they meet the current eligibility criteria. Commitment to training, attitude, teamwork, clear goals and the likely value of the support are considered alongside sporting history and achievements.

Can a parent write the application?

The application should be written mainly by the young athlete in their own words. A parent or guardian can help a younger applicant understand the questions, confirm factual details and proofread the submission, but the athlete’s personality and thinking should remain clear. Adult-written or heavily automated answers can make it harder to assess the applicant genuinely.

Does social media following affect selection?

No social media following was required or considered for the 2026 Players Scholarships. The selection process focused on commitment, attitude, values, sporting goals, brand and sport alignment, and how meaningful the gear support would be. Recipients may still need to participate in reasonable content during the programme.

Can an athlete apply for more than one scholarship?

Applicants were permitted to apply for one Players Scholarship in the 2026 intake. The athlete needed to choose the sport and brand that best matched their main sporting pathway. Future applicants should confirm this condition on the current intake page because programme terms can change from year to year.

Do photos and videos improve an application?

Photos and video are optional unless the current application rules say otherwise. In 2026, applicants could submit up to three photos and one video, but thoughtful written answers were more important. Supporting material should show relevant sporting participation rather than relying on editing, production quality or social media presentation.

What happens if an athlete is not selected?

An unsuccessful applicant can continue developing and apply again in a future year if they still meet the age and eligibility criteria. More than 600 athletes applied for 12 places in 2026, so many credible applications could not be selected. Keep training, record progress and review the next intake’s requirements before reapplying.

Where can families find official Players Scholarships information?

Official application dates, sports, brands, eligibility criteria and terms are published on the Players Sports website. Families can also contact the Players Sports team through the website or visit Players Sports Greenlane, Onehunga or the Players Rackets Pro Shop in St Johns for general assistance.

Backing the next generation of New Zealand sport

Players Scholarships are about recognising effort and providing practical support where it can make a real difference. Young athletes do not need a perfect record or a major online profile. They need commitment, clear goals, a positive approach to their sport and the ability to explain their journey honestly.

If your child may be eligible for a future intake, encourage them to keep track of their progress and write the application themselves when the next programme opens. Follow Players Sports for official scholarship announcements, or speak with our Auckland team for sport-specific equipment advice at any stage of their development.

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Written by Mike Wood
Founder & Managing Director, Players Sports
21+ years across retail and wholesale sporting goods in New Zealand

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