• Charles Sturt to offer the Steamers Albury-Wodonga Rugby Union Scholarship for first time in 2025
• The scholarship is open to commencing or continuing students studying online or on campus at Albury-Wodonga
• Applications close on Monday 10 February

An Albury-Wodonga-based rugby club is offering Charles Sturt University students the chance to study and play football without financial burden in 2025.

The Steamers Albury-Wodonga Rugby Union Scholarship is being offered for the first time this year through Charles Sturt to encourage the next generation of footballing talent.

The Steamers were established in 1976 and are currently part the Southern Inland Rugby Union Competition.

Applicants for this scholarship must be able to demonstrate prior football experience, having played a high level of rugby in a regional or metropolitan competition. Applicants must also be willing to play for the Steamers Rugby Union Club in 2025 and be an Albury-Wodonga resident.

Development Manager of the Charles Sturt Advancement Office Mr Justin Williams said the relationships Charles Sturt has with its community of supporters are extremely valuable and expressed thanks on behalf of the university for supporting students to complete their education in such a meaningful way.

“The Charles Sturt community is so grateful for the generous support of our donors,” Mr Williams said.

“Without it, many students would not be able to achieve their dreams of obtaining a university education.”

“For our students, the university has made the scholarship application process very smooth and accessible for anyone who is curious to find out what scholarship options are available to them.

“It’s easy to find out what students might be eligible for by visiting our Charles Sturt scholarships page to view the extensive list of scholarships available. 

“We even have a video on our scholarships page that helps students to look for scholarships that suit their needs.”

Steamers Rugby Union Club Vice-President Mr Gordon McBurnie said the club was hoping to build on its early years of success by focusing on recruiting and was excited to develop a relationship with Charles Sturt to offer opportunities to students.

“By 1986, the club was highly competitive … and won its first First Grade Premiership the following year,” Mr McBurnie said.

“But despite our past successes, the club this year, in the two men’s grades, had its worst on-field performance in almost 50 years.

“Accordingly, the club is now making recruitment its number one priority for 2025 and has embarked on a national and international recruitment drive … and we see the relationship with Charles Sturt University as critical to the success of this endeavour.”

Member for Albury Mr Justin Clancy MP is a life member of the club and said the relationship between Charles Sturt and the club embodies the best aspects of living in a regional area.

“Studying at Charles Sturt University affords an opportunity to embrace all that is on offer within our vibrant regional centres,” he said.

“The Steamers Albury-Wodonga Rugby Union Scholarship connects you with a club known for its friendliness and passion for all things rugby – on and off the field.  

“Whilst Albury is mostly known as an AFL town, from my own experience as both a former player and now a club life member, rugby with the Steamers is about being involved in a small club with a big heart, where all are welcome.”

This scholarship consists of a one-off $3,000 payment and is available to commencing or continuing students studying online or on campus at Albury-Wodonga in any undergraduate course, in any year.

Applications for this scholarship are now open via the University’s website. Applications close at 9am on Monday 10 February.

There is $11 million in scholarships and grants available to students studying at Charles Sturt in 2025.