Jeremy Ward is a name not too many Cell C Sharks fans might be familiar with, but judging by his rugby pedigree and the coach’s backing of young players, the promising centre might just feature prominently in the coming seasons.
He grew up in Port Elizabeth and attended Grey High School, representing the school 1st XV for two years. He also played Craven Week for Eastern Province for two years before representing the province at Under 19 level, then making his senior debut in this year’s Currie Cup competition followed by Under 21 and Super Rugby experience.
He is no stranger to success and his honours include being a part of the EP Under 18 Craven Week side that were crowned ‘unofficial’ 2014 champions (there is no league format in that competition) and he captained the EP Under 19 side to Under-19 Provincial Championship honours in 2015, for the first time in the Union’s history.
Earlier this year he captained the South Africa Under 20 side that competed at the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship tournament held in Manchester, England
It is fairly obvious to suggest that 2016 was a very good year for the young centre who turns 21 in January, a watershed year really.
“I’m extremely happy with how things went this year,” he admits enthusiastically. “If you had told me at the beginning of this year that I’d be joining the Sharks, I would have called you a liar! It’s been an incredible year and I’m hoping the momentum continues.”
He admits that the experience of Super Rugby action while still very much a junior player (representing his province at Under 21 level) was decidedly imposing.
“It was a huge step up from what I had been used to, but it was awesome to be participating at that level. It was tough, but it was a fantastic experience and I really did enjoy it.”
The next step, from the Kings to the Cell C Sharks, came about, in part, thanks to the fact that Head Coach Robert du Preez has shown his willingness to back the youngsters in the squad.
“That was a big factor in my choice of The Sharks, that there are opportunities here. I’m not just expecting to walk into the team, but if any opportunities do come my way, I will take them and make the most of them.
“At school, I played alongside Curwin Bosch for a few years so it’s nice to be playing in the same team as him again.”
He’s not only thrilled to be playing alongside former team mates, but also at a union where he feels he can really push himself.
“It’s incredible to be here,” he admits. “I’ve felt the step up in every way, from the training to the way we get looked after, the focus on player welfare is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I’m really enjoying the experience of working with the kind of guys who have been around the block. The whole level is completely different and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.”
Life after rugby is an important consideration for all players, and Ward clearly has his head screwed on the right way.
He switched from B.Comm (Law) to Chartered Accountancy and is now in his third year, but studying part-time. “It’s extremely important to study, you never know how long your rugby career will last and it’s important for me to have something that I can fall back on.”
And his thoughts on Durban?
“The beaches are awesome and the water is a whole lot warmer than down in PE, and I’m just enjoying the whole atmosphere here. The lifestyle is good, it’s a great place.”
The post Making the Step Up appeared first on Sharks Rugby.
Full article here: Sharks Rugby – sbuki1030
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