We recently caught up with FirstPoint USA client and rugby player, Lloyd Stephens. Lloyd tells us that, although being British, he was born in Tokyo and spent the first 14 years of his life growing up in Singapore. Lloyd tells us he studied at Tanglin Trust School, Singapore, for 10 years, prior to his move to Millfield School in 2015. Here, Lloyd shares with us, his sporting background, his reasons for wishing to pursue a rugby scholarship in the States, and his plans for the future.
From a young age, Lloyd has had a keen interest in rugby, and throughout his time and involvement in the sports, has achieved a number of successes and accolades. Lloyd states he has been selected for numerous Representative Rugby sides, most notably, Singapore Barbarians, with whom he participated in overseas tours to Hong Kong, Western Australia, Queensland, and Victoria – being named the U10 Player of the Tour. He was a member of the winning teams in numerous Asian Rugby tournaments with Centaurs Rugby, most notably the Bintan Rugby 10s – the largest junior rugby tournament in SE Asia – at U13’s in 2013. Lloyd also adds, he was a member of the Millfield U15 rugby team that reached the semi-final of the National Natwest Cup, played at Saracens Allianz Park in 2016; as well as a member of the Millfield U16 7’s rugby squad that reached the final of the prestigious Rosslyn Park 7’s in 2017. Additionally, Lloyd tells us, that as a 16 year-old, he has started every Millfield Rugby 1st XV (U18) game throughout this season (2017/18).
Beyond rugby, Lloyd has a number of other sporting achievements under his belt so far. In 2009, Lloyd was named Brazilian Soccer Schools (Singapore) U8 Player of the Year; he was also Manchester United Soccer School’s U12 Skills Competition Singapore winner, as well as the SE Asian Regional Finalist. For a number of years throughout his time at Tanglin Trust School, Lloyd was selected for the soccer team for the International Phuket, Thailand, School’s Tournament. Additionally, Lloyd was named Tanglin Trust School’s Basketball Player of the Year for three consecutive years, from 2013-15. Furthermore, at the age of just 14, Lloyd played for Millfield Basketball 1st XV (U18) and has played many other games with them since.
With a huge number of sporting experiences and accolades to his name so far, we asked Lloyd to tell us about his favourite to date. He stated this to be when he was named as a starting second row for the 1st XV this season at Millfield School. Adding, “this was a great memory as the Summer leading up to it, I had put in hard work and it felt good to see it had paid off.”
Lloyd tells us that pursuing a sports scholarship in the States is something that he wished to do as he likes the diverse nature of US universities, and the opportunity they will give him to fulfil his potential. Upon making the move to America, and beginning his life as a student-athlete, Lloyd tells us that he is most looking forward to the opportunity to develop academically, to test himself in a high-performing environment, and to adapt to a new culture.
We often ask our new clients to tell us about their top three sportspeople of all time. Here’s what Lloyd had to say...
“One sports star I look up to is, Kristaps Porzingis, for the New York Knicks. As he had to suffer criticism of his game before even proving himself, getting booed and not taken seriously, yet he has developed to become the face of the franchise.
Another star is Michael Hooper, flanker for the Australian rugby team, as I feel his work ethic and style of play is similar to mine on the field.
Also, Sam Underhill, England’s Flanker, as I think he is another player who has a similar style of play, regarding his defence, putting his body on the line, and making hits on much bigger players.”
Finally, where asked Lloyd where he sees himself being in 10 years time. He does not yet state what exactly it is he wishes to be doing, but notes that be hopes to be happy, healthy and successful.
We’d like to thank Lloyd for catching up with us. We’ll keep you updated on Lloyd’s progress throughout the scholarship process across our various social media platforms; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Think you’ve got what it takes? Apply to FirstPoint USA today for your once in a lifetime opportunity to head to the States on a sports scholarship:
