Sir Leslie Herron Rugby Scholarship Recipients Announced
“citizenship, scholarship, and a contribution to Rugby”
In consultation with NSW Country Rugby Union, Sydney Junior Rugby Union and NSW Rugby Union, the Foundation’s Grants Committee has reviewed a number of impressive scholarship applications, and is pleased to announce that the recipients of the Sir Leslie Herron Rugby Scholarships in 2024 are:
Matthew Edwards (nominee of NSW Country Junior Rugby Union)
Coco Marsters (nominee of Sydney Junior Rugby Union)
The Foundation wishes Matthew and Coco every possible success in furthering their Rugby aspirations while embracing the values of past scholarship recipients: citizenship, scholarship, and a contribution to Rugby.
The Foundation’s Grants Committee thank all applicants who applied for this year’s Sir Leslie Herron Rugby Scholarships, noting that every applicant is an outstanding member of the Rugby community.
Matthew Edwards
Matthew Edwards has been enjoying Rugby since the U8s, he plays both XVs and 7s, often captaining the sides, has represented Central North Junior Rugby Union at every age group and has represented AICES at the Australian Schools Championships. Matthew has been honoured with multiple best and fairest awards over the years and in both 2019 and 2023 was awarded the Scone Junior Brumbies Spirit of Rugby Award.
Matthew contributes to Rugby off the field, assisting with coaching junior teams and working with Sense Rugby, a rugby based occupational therapy program designed to help kids who usually find it difficult to be part of a sports team.
Currently in Year 12 at Scone Grammar School, Matthew aims to start university in 2025 studying a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Sports Management and Marketing and begin playing rugby in Sydney.
The Sir Lesile Herron Scholarship will assist Matthew to continue to develop both his on field skills and his contribution to the rugby community.
Coco Marsters
Coco Marsters began playing Rugby at four years old 4 with the Seaforth Raiders and in 2018 was the first female selected into U10 MJRU (Boys) Representative Team.
Coco has continued to play representative Rugby in both XVs and 7s formats, often in advanced age groups, earning many captaincies, state championships and accolades along the way. At the Australian Schools Championships in 2022, at the age of 14 Coco was recognised with U16 Girls Australian Schools National 7s Merit Selection and the Sugarman/McLean Award.
Coco is a player mentor and assistant coach for various Manly village and representative teams. In her final years at school Coco is keen to pursue a career in Sports administration.
The Sir Leslie Herron Rugby Scholarship will support Coco's development, both academically and athletically, allowing her to make a positive and lasting contribution to the broader Rugby community.
The Primary Object of the Foundation is to encourage the sport of Rugby in the State of New South Wales and elsewhere at a grassroots level. The Board of Directors of the Foundation has resolved that there is no more fitting way in which to demonstrate the Foundation’s commitment to grassroots Rugby than to continue to award the Sir Leslie Herron Rugby Scholarships for the benefit of Junior Rugby participants.
Sir Leslie Herron Scholarship Grant Recipients
Country
2024 – Matthew Edwards
2023 – Charlie Norton
2022 – Darcy Brown
2021 – Mitchell Watts
2020 - Jayden Blake
2007 - Phillip Webb
2005 - Kieran Wallace
2004 - Doug Buchanan
Sydney
2024 – Coco Marsters
2023 – Leilani Taufa
2022 – Oscar Morgan
2021 – Liam Andrews
2020 - Ally Bullman
2007 - Daniel Alley
2006 - Tom Heslop
2005 - Mitchell Greenway
2004 - Robert Temaipi