Group Seven duo Keele Browne and Benjamin Lavender have been named as joint winners of the University of Wollongong's Col Purcell Illawarra Rugby League Centenary scholarship for 2021.
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In 2011, the Illawarra Junior Rugby League Centenary committee set aside $20,000 to maintain the scholarship, which is awarded to a qualified footy player or junior referee in their first year of study at UOW on an annual basis.
In 2021, the scholarship, previously won by Stingrays' Teagan Berry, value has increased from $1,000 to $3,000 per year, with Browne and Lavender becoming the first joint recipients due to their outstanding respective applications, receiving $1500 each.
Both scholars are studying a Bachelor of Exercise Science at UOW and have demonstrated commitment to and high achievement in their studies.
The chairman of the Illawarra Rugby League Centenary, Bob Millward OAM, said the committee was very impressed with both player's academic qualities and the standards they have achieved to date.
"We also acknowledge that they are both outstanding junior rugby league players, having represented the Illawarra Steelers in Tasha Gale and SG Ball representative teams respectively in 2021," Millward said.
"The Col Purcell scholarship will greatly assist both Keele and Ben to apply themselves in their studies while pursuing their careers in rugby league."
As a Milton-Ulladulla junior, Browne has moved closer to Wollongong to meet the increased training demand of playing for the Illawarra Steelers while studying full time.
"This scholarship has allowed me to focus on studying and training without the stress of employment commitments during the football season," Browne said.
"The extra focus I have been able to put into my rugby league journey has more than paid off in these past few months following my Steelers Tarsha Gale season.
"Getting the opportunities to represent NSW Country, the under 19s NSW Origin team and now to be selected in the NRLW Dragons squad is a dream come true."
Lavender showcased his strong resilience and motivation through his selection as a player-representative for the Steelers in 2021.
He played for Albion Park-Oak Flats RLFC in 2020, however, the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The scholarship selection panel noted a tremendous amount of perseverance to earn himself a spot with the Steelers despite the setback of not being able to fully showcase his potential in the 2020 season.
The panel also highlighted a consistent level of motivation throughout his schoolboy representative rugby league career.
"The scholarship means a lot as the financial support helps me continue to focus on my studies without impacting my footy," Lavender said.
"It's helped relieve some of the stress of studying while training four days a week and is something I'm really grateful for."