Shamli head coach for Sri Lanka Army and Zahira

Former Isipathana, CR and FC national rugby player, Shamli Nawas signed up with Zahira College and Sri Lanka Army in the schools and club rugby season, respectively, for 2024.

Shamli played the Green Shirts leading the outfit in 1998 while representing the Junior XV side outfit in 1996 and 1997, leading the outfit in both years.

After leaving school, he played for Havelock SC in 1998, then joined CR and FC and played from 1999 to 2006.

In his coaching career, he looked after his alma mater from 1999 to 2002 and later was appointed head coach of the under 19 outfit from 2008 to 2010 and 2012 to 2013.  He then moved to Zahira College (2014 to 2018) before switching to S. Thomas (2018 to 2023).

In clubs he was assistant coach at CR and FC in 2015/2016 before moving to Police SC the following two years and Air Force head coach from 2019 to 2023. He won the Club Sevens for Sri Lanka Air Force. He is also World Rugby Coach Educator.

Shamli will have Dilan Soysa as his assistant at the Sri Lanka Army coaching staff. Soldiers will be led by Ashan Bandara with the Sri Lanka Army Rugby Chairman, Maj Gen Chandana Wickremasinghe. Army SC will host CR and FC at Panagoda on 2 December in the opening encounter. (SJ)