Scholarships
The Adastra Foundation has been providing scholarships to extraordinary young New Zealanders since 2007. In that time, the Foundation has supported hundreds of athletes and performing artists with more than $2m and dozens of customised mentoring programmes.
In mid-2022, the Board completed a strategic review of its vision and purpose and agreed to refine its priorities. It wanted to ensure that it provided support where it was most needed and to those exceptional young people who might otherwise struggle to achieve their dreams. As such, priority is given to exceptional young people who face financial or personal hardship.
Adastra offers scholarships to extraordinary young athletes and performing artists (dancers and musicians), from Waikato and Bay of Plenty, who are facing hardship in their pursuit of excellence. Our programme includes a cash scholarship and personal development workshops, specifically designed for young adults aiming to be the best they can be – on and off their stage. A key part of the Adastra ethos is the personal development programme guided by leading professionals in their field.
Adastra is grateful to be supported by Grassroots Trust, The Lion Foundation, TECT, The Brian Perry Charitable Trust, Craigs Investment Partners, the Merito & Hill Families, BDO Tauranga and Construction Advantage Limited.
Sponsored Scholarships
Adastra is delighted to offer sponsored scholarships where recipients are “tagged” with a sponsor.
We are excited to be able to offer Craigs Investment Partners scholarships. Craigs is one of New Zealand’s leading investment advisory firms. Their network of investment advisers are supported by an award winning research team to help clients achieve their investment goals. Achieving goals is important to the team at Craigs Investment Partners and they share that same passion for achieving investment goals with seeing young adults in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty communities achieve their life goals by pushing boundaries on the national and international stage.
We also offer sponsored scholarships with Brian Perry Charitable Trust, BDO, Construction Advantage and the Merito & Hill Families.
The Brian Perry Charitable Trust is part of the Perry Group headed by Simon Perry. It is an integral cog in the Adastra wheel and has supported the programme since it’s inception.
The “Merito & Hill Family” scholarships are offered by Codi Merito, previous NZ representative BMX athlete and one of our Adastra alumni and Britt Hill. These scholarships are offered to 2 recipients who embody the values of Codi and Britt and show promise and drive in their endeavours.
Construction Advantage Limited is a Cambridge based construction company that delivers innovative construction projects, design and build, feasibility studies and management of commercial projects. The director and staff have a keen interest in sport and providing opportunity for a Cambridge recipient through their support of the Adastra programme.
BDO delivers leading accountancy, advisory, tax and assurance services to leading businesses and has offices nationwide. The Tauranga branch of BDO selects and supports a local recipient that aligns with the company values and brand.
Sponsored Scholarships are awarded after the standard application process (i.e. no further specific application is required).
The Sponsored Scholarships come with standard Adastra reporting requirements, plus further responsibilities to the sponsor, such as reasonable personal appearances and performance updates.
Sponsors
The Adastra Foundation acknowledges the support of:
Our Supporters
2025 Scholarship application will CLOSE on Sunday 8th September at 11:59pm!!!!
Don’t leave it too late to apply!!
Open to young talented sportspeople, dancers, singers and musicians from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.
See the full criteria and application details on our website:
www.adastra.org.nz ... See MoreSee Less
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Julian Dean is holding an introduction to Meditation course in Tauranga.
Julian has been a presenter at our Adastra workshops and as well as being vastly experienced in the high performance environment, embraces and teaches the quiet and peacefulness of meditation.
Get in touch with Julian directly if you are interested in joining the course. ... See MoreSee Less
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This is the LAST WEEK to apply for 2025 ADASTRA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS!!!
Applications close on Sunday 8th September.
Are you eligible, or do you know someone who is eligible, and would benefit from financial and personal development support for their sport or performance endeavour???
If so, share this and get them to apply for an Adastra Scholarship.
Open to talented, young people from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, who have identified financial need.
Check the eligibility criteria on our website and apply online.
www.adastra.org.nz ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet @matt.ruetsch ! Born and raised in Einsiedeln, Switzerland and made the move to Aotearoa when he was 13! Matt attended St Paul’s in Hamilton and is currently studying at the University of Waikato! A special place that fills Matt’s cup is Queenstown; he says the mountains and scenery are very similar to where he grew up in Switzerland, which makes it feel like home. Matt upholds strong values such as honesty, fairness, and teamwork on a daily basis.
Matt has had some remarkable achievements in his career that we’d like to highlight. In 2022, his team placed 3rd at the National Rankin Cup. He has also demonstrated academic excellence at the University of Waikato and was selected for the future Black Sticks squad. He hopes that this success will continue and is striving to play in the Junior World Cup in India next year and eventually move across the globe to play in the NHL (ice hockey). After his hockey career, he plans to use his degree to work as a software engineer or in the cybersecurity sector.
Matt said, “I am loving the support from the Adastra Foundation and would 100% recommend it to others, not only for the financial support but also for the other opportunities offered in the workshops that help support my career.”
As always, a massive thank you to all our funders who have supported our recipients!
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Meet @_samiconrad ! Born and raised in Rotorua, she attended John Paul College and is currently studying for a Law and Arts Conjoint degree at the University of Auckland while also dancing at various Auckland dance studios. A place that holds significant value and comfort for Sami is Amjazz Dance Studio; it’s a safe haven for her where she has learned some great skills that she applies in everyday life.
Sami has achieved some incredible things, including her team placing 7th at the World of Dance Championship last year, her impressive work as Dance Captain at JPC in 2023, and her ability to continue dancing while studying full-time this year. When Sami was 10 years old, she wanted to be a Silver Fern and the first female police commissioner of New Zealand. She now says, “However, I want to finish my law degree and pursue a professional dance career. My dream is to become a backup dancer on a world tour.”
Sami applied for the Adastra Scholarship because she had seen the great support provided to other recipients. The funding has helped Sami immensely while she balances dancing and studying full-time. Sami said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed the support, specifically during the two workshop days, which have taught me lifelong lessons. It was also great to make friends with other recipients.”
Sami added, “Overall, I am so happy and blessed to be an Adastra recipient for 2024 and to have the support from Craig’s Investment Partners. Their help has been invaluable to me; no words can express my gratitude, and I am extremely thankful.”
📸 @bryonyenz @jpc.photography.design
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2025 Scholarship applications are open until midnight on Sunday 8th September.
Check the details of the scholarship and application criteria on our website to see if you, or someone you support/coach, is eligible.
www.adastra.org.nz ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet @mischa.boorman ! Born and raised in Pāpāmoa, she is currently attending Mount Maunganui college. A special place for Mischa is the Darren Mountains near Milford Sound. She says, “It’s absolutely beautiful there and an incredible place for me to climb.” She hopes to complete a few climbing projects there in the near future!
Mischa is super proud of competing in multiple International Youth World Cups for sport climbing in both Texas and Korea. She was also chosen to compete at a 2024 Olympic Selection event in Melbourne for lead, boulder, and speed climbing.
Along with her strong goals to continue performing well in climbing, Mischa is fascinated by all things medical, math, and problem-solving. She hopes to apply her knowledge and curiosity in these fields to become a biomedical engineer in the future and will be applying to study engineering at the University of Canterbury.
Mischa said, “I applied for the Adastra Scholarship because I’d heard about its great reputation. The support and workshops offered have been informative and enjoyable. It’s been great meeting other students and learning about their interests and achievements as well. The funding has helped me attend national and international competitions, which I’m super grateful for. Thank you so much to all the funders. It’s been a fantastic opportunity for me, and I’ve gained confidence from the experience.”
📸 @victorhallphotography
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Meet @olivialassey ! Born and raised in the Atāhua town of Mount Maunganui, where she attended Mount Maunganui College, Olivia is deeply connected to her roots and heritage. Croatia and Whakatāne are significant to her, as their rich history and culture resonate with her, providing a profound sense of belonging and pride that is intricately woven into her whānau story.
Olivia is about to start studying occupational therapy in America while continuing to pursue her basketball goals. She demonstrates exceptional drive, motivation, and passion both on and off the court. Balancing intense training with academic success, building lasting connections, and embracing personal growth are all part of her journey. We could not be prouder of the dedication she puts into bettering herself.
Olivia shared, “If I were to give my younger self a piece of advice, I would say to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and to focus on the journey rather than just the destination. Build resilience, stay curious, and nurture relationships. This approach will not only help you enjoy your experiences but also create a more fulfilling path to success.”
Olivia said “I am incredibly grateful for the support from the Adastra Foundation and sponsors like @tectnz . The funding has been instrumental in allowing me to focus on my basketball training and academic pursuits without the added stress of financial burdens. Your generosity has made a significant difference in my journey, and I wholeheartedly recommend the Adastra Foundation to others seeking support. Thank you for believing in my potential and for making this opportunity possible.” ... See MoreSee Less
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Applications are NOW OPEN for the 2025 Adastra Scholarship programme.
Are you all of the below:
💥Kicking big goals in your sport, music, or dance endeavour?
💥 16 to 19 years of age as at 1/1/25?
💥 Reside in, and represent, the Waikato or Bay of Plenty regions?
💥 Have genuine financial need to help you on your performance journey?
If the answer is YES, then go to our website to read the scholarship details and apply online by September 8th.
www.adastra.org.nz
adastra.org.nz/application-form/ ... See MoreSee Less
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