‘Bash’ up until earlier this year (2016) was Sports Development Officer at Bletchley Leisure Centre and was in situ and involved in working with local young people promoting Rugby and taking up a sport as part of the build up to the Rugby World Cup 2015 in Milton Keynes.
Bash is one of a few players who cross the divide and play both Rugby Union and Rugby League at top level.
Currently aged 26 Bash was raised in Harlow, his first taste of Rugby Union was aged 16 playing for Passmores School & Technology College team. Within weeks of learning the game, he was invited to play for the U17s Colts team at Harlow Rugby Club. After making an immediate impact in his first couple of games he broke into the first team becoming one of the youngest players to do so. He plays at loose head prop
His rugby continued and developed at University in Birmingham and he was selected to play for the University 1st team and also for Aston Old Edwardians. ‘Bash’ was then elected to become The Vice President of Activities and Sports, for Birmingham City Students Union, and was successful for both terms. Unfortunately, the post could only be taken for 2 years.
“During the early stages of my rugby development I was made aware of the British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) and made contact with the founding member, Ikram Butt.
Ikram created history by becoming the first British Asian to represent England at either code of rugby. Ikram provided me with lots of encouragement and invaluable advice and has followed my career ever since. I have been fortunate to be selected for BARA on numerous occasions at both codes of rugby with the highlight of being selected to represent Pakistan RL against the UAE in Dubai last November. In addition, I have been involved in a number of rugby projects with BARA; projects that include rugby activity as a means of bringing communities together.
During University and my job at the Students union I wasn't able to play much rugby for BARA (British Asian Rugby Association) Pakistan RL and Pakistan RU and was only able to play a couple charity games with Ikram Butt who has played for England, and at club level for Featherstone Rovers, Leeds Rhinos, Huddersfield, London Broncos as wing. Ikram has supported my rugby when I first contacted BARA and has got me involved with many projects”.
‘Bash’ was head-hunted for Serco Leisure Operating Limited which was very supportive of his rugby and granted leave when required. The first being when he was called up for his First Rugby League game against the UAE Falcons despite not having played League in December. This tour was only part-funded as unfortunately Pakistan Rugby League is not heavily financially supported. He was selected to go on tour with BARA to play in another international fixture against Spain (May 2016) due to lack of funds this tour had to be self-funded. He was also to attend the Asian 5 tournament in June to play for the Pakistan Rugby Union Side.
BARA Commendation:
“As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary we are delighted to see players like Bash who have continued to excel in the supportive environment that we provide. With Bash, we could see he already had the passion and desire to succeed. We were able to instil in him the self-belief and convince him that he had all the ingredients to go far in the game. BARA is an inclusive organisation, however, one of our aims is to provide positive role, inspire and raise aspirations within the South Asian communities. In addition our aim is to demonstrate that South Asians are just as passionate and enthusiastic to play sports like rugby, and given the opportunity South Asians can compete just as good as anyone else. At BARA, we regard Bash as one of our ambassadors and fine role model who is just as professional on as well as off the field”.
International teams Bash has played against
Rugby League:
United Arab Emirates
Spain
Italy
Rugby Union:
Lebanon
India
Uzbekistan
Bash is one of a few players who cross the divide and play both Rugby Union and Rugby League at top level.
Currently aged 26 Bash was raised in Harlow, his first taste of Rugby Union was aged 16 playing for Passmores School & Technology College team. Within weeks of learning the game, he was invited to play for the U17s Colts team at Harlow Rugby Club. After making an immediate impact in his first couple of games he broke into the first team becoming one of the youngest players to do so. He plays at loose head prop
His rugby continued and developed at University in Birmingham and he was selected to play for the University 1st team and also for Aston Old Edwardians. ‘Bash’ was then elected to become The Vice President of Activities and Sports, for Birmingham City Students Union, and was successful for both terms. Unfortunately, the post could only be taken for 2 years.
“During the early stages of my rugby development I was made aware of the British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) and made contact with the founding member, Ikram Butt.
Ikram created history by becoming the first British Asian to represent England at either code of rugby. Ikram provided me with lots of encouragement and invaluable advice and has followed my career ever since. I have been fortunate to be selected for BARA on numerous occasions at both codes of rugby with the highlight of being selected to represent Pakistan RL against the UAE in Dubai last November. In addition, I have been involved in a number of rugby projects with BARA; projects that include rugby activity as a means of bringing communities together.
During University and my job at the Students union I wasn't able to play much rugby for BARA (British Asian Rugby Association) Pakistan RL and Pakistan RU and was only able to play a couple charity games with Ikram Butt who has played for England, and at club level for Featherstone Rovers, Leeds Rhinos, Huddersfield, London Broncos as wing. Ikram has supported my rugby when I first contacted BARA and has got me involved with many projects”.
‘Bash’ was head-hunted for Serco Leisure Operating Limited which was very supportive of his rugby and granted leave when required. The first being when he was called up for his First Rugby League game against the UAE Falcons despite not having played League in December. This tour was only part-funded as unfortunately Pakistan Rugby League is not heavily financially supported. He was selected to go on tour with BARA to play in another international fixture against Spain (May 2016) due to lack of funds this tour had to be self-funded. He was also to attend the Asian 5 tournament in June to play for the Pakistan Rugby Union Side.
BARA Commendation:
“As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary we are delighted to see players like Bash who have continued to excel in the supportive environment that we provide. With Bash, we could see he already had the passion and desire to succeed. We were able to instil in him the self-belief and convince him that he had all the ingredients to go far in the game. BARA is an inclusive organisation, however, one of our aims is to provide positive role, inspire and raise aspirations within the South Asian communities. In addition our aim is to demonstrate that South Asians are just as passionate and enthusiastic to play sports like rugby, and given the opportunity South Asians can compete just as good as anyone else. At BARA, we regard Bash as one of our ambassadors and fine role model who is just as professional on as well as off the field”.
International teams Bash has played against
Rugby League:
United Arab Emirates
Spain
Italy
Rugby Union:
Lebanon
India
Uzbekistan