Canberra Raiders junior player Viliami Siale has received the Don Furner Senior NSW Country Scholarship for 2025.
Born in Dunedin (NZ), Siale grew up playing rugby union before moving to Australia when he was 10 years old. He began playing rugby league upon moving to Australia.
Siale relocated from Griffith to Canberra late last year and is currently playing in the Raiders Harold Matthews Cup side, where he plays centre.
Siale is the fifth recipient of the Scholarship and the third player from Griffith to receive the honour.
The Raiders Foundation launched the Don Furner Senior NSW Country Scholarship Program in 2021 to honour and acknowledge the tremendous contribution of our inaugural Head Coach who passed away on 24 February 2020.
Don Furner Senior had a strong association with Country NSW having been born in Condobolin and through his playing and coaching days in Junee and Queanbeyan.
As Canberra Raiders Historian wrote in Absolutely Bleeding Green – The Raiders Story, “Don Furner Senior’s extraordinary legacy will forever have a place deep in the hearts of all Raiders fans.”
The Scholarship provides financial assistance to a development player for items such as living expenses, education and training fees, football equipment and transport costs to attend football development programs, carnivals, and camps.
CLICK HERE for more information or to make a donation to the Raiders Foundation.
Don Furner Senior NSW Country Scholarship previous recipients
2024 - Hardy Glover
2023 - Elvis Nauer-Wood
2022 - Noah Martin
2021 - Michael Asomua
