Don Furner Senior NSW Country Scholarship Program /

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.

2025 Scholarship Recipient - Viliami Siale

Raiders junior 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. 

Previous Scholarship Recipients 

2024 - Hardy Glover (Young, NSW)

Raiders junior Hardy Glover received the Don Furner Senior NSW Country Scholarship for 2024.

Hardy became the fourth recipient of the Don Furner Senior Scholarship, joining an elite class of Raiders juniors to receive it.

Hardy is a Young Cherrypickers junior, who played centre and five-eighth in the 2024 Raiders Harold Matthews Cup side. 

2023 - Elvis Nauer-Wood (Griffith, NSW)

Raiders junior Elvis Nauer-Wood received the Don Furner Senior NSW Country Scholarship for 2023. Elvis relocated from Griffith and commenced working at HD Logistics, where he continues to fine tune his trade skills.

Elvis has been the run-on prop in the undefeated SG ball side and is relishing wearing the green jumper. Elvis was delighted to be offered to study a degree in primary school teaching at the University of Canberra.

Elvis will commence this after the SG Ball season. Elvis resides at the Raiders House and is very grateful for the support of house parents Sharon and Cyril Clarkson.

2022 – Noah Martin (Eden, NSW)

Noah has graduated from year 12 at Erindale High School, Completing his studies and will now commence full time Training with the NRL Squad in 2024.

Noah is currently working for Wattle Blue a disability support company mentoring youth in the Canberra Community.

Noah will look to extend his studies in 2024.

2021 – Michael Asomua (Griffith, NSW)

Michael unfortunately lost his younger Sister due to a long battle with Cancer early this year. A testament to Michael’s character to finish an NRL Pre Season followed up by two NRL trials. Michael continues to love Canberra and has completed a Cert IV in youth work in 2023.

Michael has been active in the Canberra community working alongside youth with the PCYC program and assisting homeless members of our community by cooking breakfast and lunches on his off days.

Michael is now a NRL development player in the NRL Squad and will continue to strive towards his dream of playing NRL.

Michael was awarded the Junior Rep Player of the Year in 2022 and in 2023 Michael was awarded the 2023 NSW Cup Player of the Year.