St Patrick's Technical College and Bulldogs join forces to offer a player scholarship

Seventeen year old Jacob Prescott is the first recipient of the new Central District Football Club Scholarship – the result of a ground breaking partnership between St Patrick’s Technical College and the Bulldogs.

The new scholarship marks the first time an SANFL club has partnered with a school or college to offer a trades-based scholarship to players.
Jacob will receive two thirds of his Year 11 tuition fee at the College along with a significant head start in pursuing a career in Metals & Engineering.

The partnership will also extend to sponsors and supporters of the Central District Football Club who will be approached to offer a school-based apprenticeship employment opportunity to the scholarship recipient.

Applications are also now open for 2013 with the Central District Football Club Scholarship open to students attending or wishing to attend the College and who are registered as a player with the Club.

St Patrick’s Technical College Principal Mr Rob Thomas said our congratulations go to Jacob who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to both the College and the Bulldogs.

“Jacob is a worthy recipient and it’s a great way for us to launch the new scholarship and for the College and the Club to acknowledge and support a young person’s commitment to their study and sport,” said Mr Thomas.

“By attending the College, Jacob and future scholarship recipients will be given a good head start in developing a career in their chosen trade.

“The College is focussed purely on trades based education and training for Year’s 11 and 12 and this ensures students are well prepared for the world of work and will meet employers and industry’s expectations.

“The scholarship will also provide an opportunity to demonstrate that study and playing high level competitive sport can be managed together without the need to sacrifice either.

“The College has enjoyed a strong relationship with the Central District Football Club for many years and is delighted to build upon the partnership with this new scholarship.”

Central District Football Club Junior Development Manager Scott Stevens said a great relationship is now building between the Club and St Patrick’s Technical College because we share a common goal in developing the talents of young people in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

“The scholarship has been carefully developed over the last year by the Club and College to make sure it’s set up in the right way and for the right reasons,” said Scott.

“It will provide an opportunity for a young man within the Club’s development zone to further develop the skills required to follow a career path outside or alongside football.

“The Club isn’t just focused on football and there is more to it than that. It’s about life outside of a possible football career and developing a player’s personality and character and enhancing their future employment opportunities.

“We’re aware that many young talented footballers can fall into this trap of thinking a sports career is going to last forever.

“At SANFL level, players can’t rely on just playing football, most need to pursue a career and have a job outside of footy.”

Players with Central District Football Club but not currently attending the College have until September 30, 2012 to apply for the scholarship with the recipients study due to commence in January, 2013.

Players already enrolled at the College seeking a scholarship for 2013 have until early next year to apply.

Scholarship applications will be assessed by the College and the Club and then successful applicants invited for an interview before the recipient is decided.

For more information on the Central District Football Club Scholarship, visit www.stpatstech.sa.edu.au

MEDIA CONTACT:
Simon Hatcher, Hughes PR
(08) 8412 4100
 
About St Patrick’s Technical College
St Patrick's Technical College is a senior secondary school specialising in the delivery of pre vocational trade training and a trade focused SACE.  Students enter the College at year 11 for a two year course of study however, in certain circumstances, enrolment at year 12 can occur.

The College opened in 2007 as the Australian Technical College - Northern Adelaide as an initiative of the Australian Government, and in partnership with the Archdiocese of Adelaide and the Northern Adelaide Industry Consortium.

In July 2009, the College governance and ownership passed to the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools on behalf of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, and the College began a new journey as St Patrick's Technical College within Catholic Education South Australia.

For more information, visit www.stpatstech.sa.edu.au