Iconic and veteran rugby coach and educator with extensive experience across schools, clubs and the Sri Lanka youth teams, Shamly Nawaz has been appointed as the head coach of the Sri Lanka Under-20 boys and girls teams for the Asia Rugby Sevens in Rajgir, Bihar, India, on the 9th and 10th of August 2025.
Shamly Nawaz is a proud product of Isipathana College, which is arguably considered the cradle of the national players. Shamly, a former standout for the “Green Machine”, went on to captain the Sri Lanka Junior National Rugby Team in 1996/97. After captaining his alma mater, he joined CR and FC, and later he became the captain of the “RED SHIRTS”. While performing well in the inter-club circuit, Shamly earned the rugby XVs national jersey by playing as the No. 08 of the national side, and he had also featured in the national rugby 7s outfit.
- His coaching career began as a junior coach at Isipathana College, and later he went on to coach the first XV side during 2008–2010 and 2012–2013. But his epic story unfolded when he was with the Zahira from 2014 to 2018 and by the time Zahirians were relegated to the lower division. His coaching methods were instrumental in their progress, and he managed to bring a top-notch performance to clinch the 2016 Plate Championship by earning their ticket into the top division after 14 long years. Later he coached St. Thomas’ College, Thurstan College, Police SC, Air Force SC and Army SC and was also assistant coach of the Sri Lanka Under 20 team in both 7s and XVs. He was also the current head coach of the Sri Lanka women’s rugby 7s team and is a World Rugby Level 3 coach and educator.
His coaching pattern is identical, and he is better known for inculcating the discipline into the players as a priority. Another salient feature in his coaching is employing more time on cutting and polishing the basic skills of rugby. According to his vision, a champion cannot be built without discipline and the basic skills of the game.
The extravagant Asia Rugby fixture will bring together top Asian rugby nations, including Hong Kong China, Thailand, Malaysia, Taipei, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, and Nepal and the tournament will be a landmark event in the development of Indian rugby.
The final national squads are yet to be announced, and initial selections will take place shortly in Colombo to finalize the touring squad of 12 players for each team.- the Papare
