The Fencible Foundation celebrated four local athletes on Friday confirming the 2025 scholarship recipients at an event at the Pakuranga Rugby Club.
Emerging rugby players VJ Brown, Boston Krone, Zeph Lotautu and Eden Mika have been awarded three-year scholarships as they enter their tertiary studies and senior rugby careers.
Fencible Foundation Chairman Mike Anderson commented on the high level of applicants and the exciting potential the four scholars.
“Every year it is an honour to speak with potential scholars and we are extremely excited with the four athletes we will be supporting over the next few years.
“They have all achieved highly in school both in their studies and on the rugby field and all of them look to have exciting futures ahead. It is great that the Fencible Foundation can play a small part in supporting them,” said Mike.
Of the four scholars. Zeph Lototau was awarded the Angus Barrett Memorial Scholarship and Eden Mika, the first female rugby players to receive a Fencible Foundation Scholarship, was awarded the Mike Garner Memorial Scholarship.
Graduating from St Kents, Zeph returns to Pakuranga where he played as a junior. He represented Auckland Under 18s last year, and the foundation will support his study at Auckland University.
Eden has just finished school at Botany College. Eden captained the Under 18 South/East girls team last year and was also named in the Auckland Bs. She is a member of the Pakuranga Belles and this year is studying at AUT.
Boston is joining Pakuranga Rugby in 2025 by way of Auckland Grammar School. The young halfback was a member of the Auckland Under 18s last year and has begun his study at MIT.
VJ Brown has also just graduated from St Kents and has started his study at Unitec in 2025. He played three years in the 1st XV and the prop has made several representative teams in the past few years.
Guests at the function were also given an update of the success of recent scholars, most notably Harlyn Saunoa who has signed a development contract with the Blues.
2025 marks the 10th year of the Fencible Foundation, that aims to support local athletes with their post-school endeavours both on and off the field.
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