More Than a School: How IGBIS Empowered One Student to Follow Her Dreams to Oxford
September 4, 2025
The IGB International School (IGBIS) community is bursting with immense pride and excitement as we celebrate a monumental achievement by one of our own. Kian Pendlebury, a standout student-athlete and our esteemed 2024 Athlete of the Year, has officially committed to Rio Grande University in Ohio, USA, having secured a fantastic rugby scholarship through our valued partner, FirstPoint USA.
This incredible accomplishment is a testament to Kian’s unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and the powerful synergy between IGBIS’s holistic education and the global pathways provided by FirstPoint USA. Kian’s journey from the rugby pitches of Malaysia to the collegiate sports fields of the United States perfectly embodies the opportunities we strive to create for our students.
A formidable flanker for the KL Tigers – a global partner of the renowned Leicester Tigers Rugby- Kian has consistently demonstrated leadership and skill on the field. His athletic prowess, honed from his early days with the Doha Rugby Club, culminated in him being honoured as the IGBIS Athlete of the Year, an accolade that foreshadowed this significant next step.
In the Fall of 2026, Kian will join the Rio Grande University Red Storm, a competitive National Collegiate Rugby D1 program. Under the guidance of Head Coach Brad Sandig, he will be part of a dynamic and developing program in both 15s and 7s rugby. The Red Storm, who compete in the tough Big Rivers Rugby Conference, are coming off a strong season in both codes, which included an appearance in the prestigious Men’s Premier Cup division of NCR’s Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s. They have already kicked off their new campaign with a statement victory over the University of Michigan and a tough battle against rivals Wheeling, signalling an exciting and competitive environment for Kian to grow and thrive.
“This is more than just an acceptance letter; it’s the culmination of years of hard work and a dream realised,” said an IGBIS spokesperson.” “Kian represents the very best of IGBIS – academically committed, athletically gifted, and globally minded. We are thrilled to see him take this well-deserved leap and cannot wait to cheer him on as a Red Storm athlete. His success is a powerful validation of our partnership with FirstPoint USA, which is dedicated to opening doors for our talented student-athletes.”
This achievement also shines a spotlight on the successful IGBIS-FirstPoint USA partnership, which actively scouts and supports students in securing athletic scholarships at universities across the United States and beyond. It serves as an inspiring example for our community, proving that with the right support and determination, our students can compete on the world stage.
The entire IGBIS community joins in wishing Kian the very best for the remainder of the season with the KL Tigers RFC. We will be following his collegiate journey at Rio Grande University with great anticipation and pride.
Go Kian!
