Counties Manukau Steelers rising star Keran van Staden is proving that success in rugby doesn’t have to come at the cost of education or personal growth.
Since debuting for the Steelers in 2023, the young tighthead prop has quickly become one of the most promising talents in the region. His latest season with the Steelers earning him the Player of the Year Award for the side and securing a place in the Chiefs Wider Training Squad for the 2026 Super Rugby season.
While making his mark on the field, van Staden has also been building for his future off it, thanks to the Kieran Read Scholarship jointly offered by Counties Manukau Rugby and AUT Business School.
The scholarship, awarded to a high potential Steelers Academy athlete is designed to support young athletes in pursuing higher education while continuing to grow their rugby careers.
After joining the Steelers Academy in 2022, van Staden embraced the opportunity the scholarship provided, completing a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing with a minor in International Business through AUT’s Faculty of Business, Economics and Law.
“I’ve always been passionate about hospitality,” van Staden says. “With my degree, I want to keep working in marketing, helping my parents at LaValla Estate, supporting Union partners, and putting my skills to use for local businesses alongside rugby.
“I don’t want to stop learning now that rugby has become my full-time job.”
Understanding the uncertainty of professional sport, van Staden says education is essential for young athletes.
“It’s easy to go pro early and forget your sporting career might only last 10 to 15 years. Having something to fall back on, a trade, a degree, anything, means you’re not starting from scratch later in life.”
Counties Manukau Rugby CEO Chad Shepherd says van Staden’s dedication both on and off the field reflects the values the Union is proud to foster.
“Keran is an outstanding young man and a great representative of what our region stands for,” Shepherd says. “We’re incredibly proud of his achievements and equally proud to provide opportunities like the Kieran Read Scholarship that support our players’ growth on the field and their development as people off it.”
He also acknowledged the vital role of the Steelers Academy sponsors. “Their generous support enables initiatives like this. They recognise the importance of developing not just quality rugby players, but quality people, and their investment helps set our young athletes up for long-term success.”
Van Staden credits the scholarship with helping him develop not only as a player but as a person. “I want to thank Counties Manukau Rugby and AUT for giving me this opportunity.
“It’s helped me grow on and off the field, and I hope my story inspires other young athletes to pursue education alongside their rugby dreams.”
With a rapidly rising rugby career and a strong academic foundation behind him, Keran van Staden is setting a powerful example for the next generation, showing that with support, drive, and balance, young athletes can thrive in both sport and study.
