A FORMER Ards Rugby player will be flying the flag for his old team on the international stage this weekend, over four thousand miles from Hamilton Park.
Jonny Harris, who now lives and works in Dubai, has been selected for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) squad to take on Pakistan in a pair of test matches in Lahore, as the gulf state bids to take a step closer to qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
It’s four years since the 26 year-old made the move out to the middle east, and Harris, once on the books of Ulster at under 18 level, is excited by the opportunity that awaits him in his new home.
“For me personally, it’s quite fitting because I’ve had a sort of semi-professional rugby career and this is allowing me to fulfil my ambitions above that. It’s really cool to put Northern Ireland on the map within the team as well.
“Everywhere I have been, rugby has always followed me and I have used it as a vehicle to travel and meet people,” he said. “I always had rugby on the horizon as a career path, but things didn’t work out that way so I sort of turned to my secondary choice which was teaching.
“Just over four years ago, I moved to Dubai for a job and have been playing over here to a decent standard. The UAE team is mostly full of expats and players that haven’t necessarily reached the heights they would’ve wanted to back in their home nations,” explained Harris.
“Ultimately, there’s a pathway to the next World Cup in Australia, so that’s where we are at, starting at the bottom and trying to work our way up. It’s probably the most exciting time to be involved in the game over here.”
A past pupil of Regent House, second row Harris has been playing his rugby with Jebel Ali Dragons, who are arguably the most successful club side in the region. He’s now eager to play his part in the upward trajectory of a nation not usually known for its pedigree in the sport.
“Effectively how it works, is you have divisions underneath the top of the world pyramid and at the minute I’m playing in the second division in Asia.
“If we can win this game at the weekend, it’s quite likely that we will go up into the next division to play against nations such as Hong Kong and China. And the pathway to the World Cup is easier than in the past because there’s going to be more teams in it,” he added. “There will be more smaller nations able to qualify and with a win at the weekend, we should be in the mix for that.”
Harris’ selection comes at a time when there is more onus than ever on transforming 15-a-side rugby in the middle east, with increased financial backing and a real appetite for growth.
“There has been a big focus on sevens rugby in the middle east, but I’m playing 15s and now the focus is more towards that. There’s obviously lots of money being pumped into sport in Saudi Arabia and a really good feeling around sport in the middle east in general.”
While he’s adapted well to life away from North Down, the Liverpool John Moores University graduate has not forgotten his roots in Newtownards and makes time to visit his hometown, including where it all started at Ards Rugby Club – where he’ll be leading a series of youth and mini training camps this summer.
“I really am proud of where I’m from. I have a photo of Scrabo Tower in my apartment and have worn my Ards shorts in UAE training,” he said.
“The quality of life is unbelievable, it’s very different from what people might think at home. Salaries for expats are good and you have more disposable income, so when I compare my life here with people at home who are struggling with the cost of living and everything, I’m very grateful.
“The worst question you can ask someone in my shoes is ‘what are your plans, when are you coming home?’ All I know is I’m very happy here.
“I always had a real desire to be involved in building youth systems back home and that’s something I am doing out here. That’s one thing that would pull me back home, I want to come back to help out at Ards and at Regent with the coaching side.”
For the time being though, Harris is determined to help the UAE over their next hurdle. “There’s a lot of talent in rugby in Asia and it needs to be capitalised on. Previously, if you played rugby for the UAE, it was really just to facilitate touring teams coming over, but now this is a move towards actually being competitive and it’s on us to show we can be good enough.”
