Support from All White Winston Reid’s football foundation has opened the way for an up and coming teenager to take up a US college scholarship at Biola University in California.
Jeremiah Ruawhare (19) hopes the scholarship will lead to opportunities for a professional career in the United States, followed by a crack at European football.
“Some people say it’s pressure — I like the leadership and (it’s) good to be inspiring others through my actions and Māori football has given me a glimpse of what I can actually achieve,” Ruawhare told 1news.
Ruawhare’s footballing dream owes much to Reid, one of New Zealand’s greatest Māori players.
Phil Warbrick, co-founder of Reid’s foundation, said: “(Reid) has got the heart to give other people the same opportunity, he was a young Māori who went to Denmark and rose through the ranks and wanted to see if he could create a pathway for others.”
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Here’s how the story was reported by Te Karere TVNZ:
