Shahir rapidly forging forward on field
For Shahir Haniffa, the sport of rugby represents many things: an outlet for his competitive drive, a stage to demonstrate his prodigious skill, an opportunity to share victory and defeat with teammates. However, most of all, it is the only activity which he truly feels comfortable engaged in and derives the most enjoyment from.
This is perhaps the reason behind the Royal College Under 18 captain’s rapid growth in the game, over a very short period of time.
“When I feel stress or anything I go to the rugby field and play. I started playing in the under 14 age group because I enjoyed going to the grounds, hanging out with friends and playing rugger,” he explains. Soon though, his appetite for competition was whetted, and after acquiring a fundamental understanding of the game and its many nuancessomething he struggled with at first- Shahir was ready to grow into a better player.
“The point when I moved into the Under 16 team was when I really started to take rugby seriously. I also got a lot of advice from my teammates. One of these players was Rimzi Jamaldeen. He really took a keen interest in my game. I also used to come in early and get the coaches to help me out.”
In addition, the seventeen-yearold also initiated a dedicated workout and practice regimen, which he says he would never skip even if “there is a funeral at home.”
These changes yielded an immediate improvement in his game, and he gradually began to play a more influencing role in the team from his Loose End Prop position.
Nevertheless, when he was given the team captaincy, Shahir was still a relative newcomer to the game and he was tasked with leading a side made up of a large number of more experienced players. “My philosophy was all about inspiration. Motivating the team. I did my best on the field and motivated others through that. And if anyone had a problem I encouraged them to come and discuss it with me,” he revealed.
This forthright strategy, in tandem with steady guidance from the school’s dedicated coaching staff, moulded the team into a close-knit unit with a solid foundation. Their results during this season offer firm evidence of this fact with the side winning four of their six matches- including their Simithrarachchi trophy encounterwith the remaining two results being a draw and a loss.
Shahir’s focus now shifts to the senior side, where he will look to replicate the success he has enjoyed in the Under 18 team.
“Right now my main goal is to play in the first fifteen. The selection trials will be starting soon and hopefully I’ll be taken to the team. Even though I’m a junior, I will look to motivate all the players on the team and help them bring the Bradby back,” he asserts.
He says that he is immensely grateful for the help and support of his parents, coaches and teammates, who have been there for him throughout the highs and lows of not just this season but all the others preceding it as well.
Ultimately, Shahir wants to leave school having done his utmost to raise the banner of Royal rugby to incredible heights. However, this will not be the end of his tryst with the sport, as he wishes to make it a major part of his life and one day don the Sri Lankan jersey.
With his deep seated love for the game and willingness to keep working hard and improving at it, this dream inches ever closer to him with every game that he plays.