All Blacks Legend Michael Jones in NYC for two events next week

Michael Jone
(Courtesy of Samoan Bios)

All Blacks legend Michael Jones will be in Manhattan next week for two events in support of AUT University rugby scholarships which send high school kids to New Zealand over the summer. AUT has been sponsoring these scholarships for the last 5 years and they are an incredible experience for the scholarship winners.

On Tuesday 16th April, Bill Middleton and AUT University’s Vice Chancellor, Derek McCormack, will host a small private dinner with Michael for no more than 10 people.  Tickets and details can be found at www.mjnyVIP.eventbrite.com

On Wednesday 7th April, there is a large event hosted by USA Rugby and AUT University for dinner, drinks and Q&A with Michael, USA Eagles National Coach Mike Tolkin and USA Eagle Mike Petri.  Tickets and details can be found at www.mjny.eventbrite.com

As some background, in 2008 a partnership was established between Perry Street Preparatory Public 
School in Washington DC, (formerly known as Hyde Charter Leadership School) and AUT University, supported by the New Zealand Embassy’s Ambassador’s Shield, which enabled rugby-playing high school students a chance to  experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study, play rugby and enjoy ‘life’  in New Zealand. 
In 2009, Alex Pettiford and Salim Lancaster were the first of ten students thus far who have spent six weeks studying and playing rugby in New  Zealand while experiencing a unique cultural exchange.  The video below is from a CBS 2009 new report that features Hyde Rugby.