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Former Whangaparāoa College student Luca Morris is living his dream in the United States after securing a tennis scholarship to Northwest Mississippi Community College.
The 18-year-old began playing tennis as a child, took a break during the COVID-19 years, then began taking the sport seriously.
“Everyone in the family plays – my dad was a table tennis player before switching to tennis – but I didn’t fully commit until a couple of years ago,” Luca says.
Luca has won multiple junior and senior titles at the Whangaparāoa Tennis Club, including club championships in singles, doubles and mixed. He also represented North Shore and Auckland in first-grade men’s, played in the Chelsea Cup and won the Kiwi Money Tournament.
He decided he wanted to use his tennis skills to gain a better education so reached out to the Kiwi Athletes Agency, who helped set the wheels in motion. After filming match footage and reaching out to US colleges, he was accepted by Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he is now in his first year studying accounting and training three hours a day with the college team.
The move hasn’t just improved his tennis, but has also expanded his horizons, he says.
“It’s been a big step up – I play against international students every week, which has really lifted my game. But I’ve also made friends from all over the world and learned how different people live.”
Luca also regularly competes against other schools and in conference and regional matches.
With two more years at junior college, Luca hopes to transfer to a larger school with better tennis and educational opportunities. He’s thriving off-court too, achieving straight As so far.
“You really have to stay on top of your work, it’s a high workload, but it’s been a really positive environment and the Americans have been really welcoming.”
Mum Kerry Morris says the family is proud of Luca’s hard work. “It’s a huge step, but he’s made the most of the opportunity.”
Tuition is covered by his scholarship, while the family supports accommodation and living costs. If all goes to plan, hopefully another scholarship will offer a full ride (which covers all costs).
However, Mississippi’s heat and humidity have taken some getting used to, and Luca hopes to eventually move to a beachside college – “I definitely miss the Coast!” he says.
