Possible career ending injuries could cost swimmers their scholarships

Sport scholarships in New Zealand continue to create hype, but some athletes are returning home injured with their scholarships in jeopardy.

Two New Zealand swimmers left for the United States on significant sports scholarships last year but have had their careers threatened due to injury.

One swimmer, Max Kennedy-Till, suffered a freak accident in the pool when another swimmer accidentally dove onto him seriously dislocating his shoulder.

Mr Kennedy-Till is now rehabilitating his shoulder following the accident, with no guarantee that he will reach full strength.

“I was swimming down the lane line and my teammate ended up diving on top of me and his head made contact with my shoulder. It was immediately dislocated posteriorly” says Mr Kennedy-Till.

With this injury there is no guarantee that Mr Kennedy-Till will be able to maintain his scholarship.

Another New Zealand swimmer, Gabrielle Faamausili, suffered a knee injury requiring surgery but for the time being has a safe scholarship.

“Because of my scholarship the university is paying all my surgery expenses and will help in every way possible to rehab my knee.” Says Gabrielle Faamausili.

Ms Faamausili also says that despite the current positive attitude from the University they can still end her scholarship if the recovery doesn’t go as planned.

It is in accordance with NCAA rules that a coach can end a scholarship of an athlete at the end of the year, as most scholarships are on a year by year basis.