What a year that was 2011 (The year The All Blacks won the RWC)

2011 started like a storm and ended like the monsoon. Alhamdulillah I thank to Allah for the blessing that He gave us all. 2011 had been the best year so far for BRaInS Rugby. The first good news was we managed to send two of our players to represent the district and won the MSST Championship for under 18. Congrats to Naim and Hafiz

It was the first time taking the U14 team for an outside tournament (Intek sevens) These boys showed a promising displays of talents. They won the Spoon category. The first tournament that they won.

Since 2008, BRaInS only managed to get close to the third ranking for the U15 MSST tournament, alhamdulillah for the very first time we got second and that qualified us to represent the state for the national level competition.

It was like a dream come true, the first team that we met for MSSM U15 in Malacca was Labuan FT (the team I used to coach) Like meeting an old friend we won the match 22-0.

Coin toss

The cheers

BRaInS U15 Team 2011

All Blacks had won the Rugby World Cup 2011 which I had expected but that was not the best news. The best of all good news is when BRaInS was announced as Sekolah Kluster Kecemerlangan and Rugby is one of our niche area. Alhamdullilah all the hardworks paid off. I'm hoping that with the new budget we can move on to the next level. Go Lightning BRaInS!

To a beloved teacher Mr Fissol Hashim

Alhamdulillah, thanks to Allah, this year already marks my 12th years in the teaching profession and I really enjoy every moment being with my students. This year's Teacher's Day celebration was celebrated in a joyous occasion in BRaInS. I was in KL for COBRA Tens during the weekend so I took the trouble to rush back to Kuala Terengganu just the night before the celebration. I wouldn't want to miss the spectacular occasion. Thanks to all the students of BRaInS, you guys always impress me with your talents and surprises.

This year's Teacher's Day celebration was also a memorable one for me because I got to reconnect myself to a former teacher of mine (Pn. Rosima Ahmad) when I was in SK Sg. Besi, Kuala Lumpur. Thanks to my friend Norziana Jamil for making it possible. I could still remember Cikgu Shima, she was my BM teacher and if I'm not mistaken she also taught me Music. She was staying with her brother who also happened to be a teacher in SKSB. There were a lot of fond memories that we shared together.

There was another teacher in SKSB that I could still remember so much because of his dedication and his compassion. His name is Mr.Fissol Hashim and he is the man in the photograph above. I could still remember him as my form teacher when I was in Standard Three. He was a man of many talents and football was his passion. There was this one time when I had a really bad stomachache and I had to ask his help to take me home. With his new Rider motorbike (the most sporting motorbike at that time) he took me home.

As time passes by, all those memories are always close at heart and I always pray to God that one day we would meet again. Through all my years in secondary school and primary school, I have met a lot of teachers who have inspired me with their dedication and sacrifice. I choose to be a teacher myself because I believe I could do the same thing to my students.

Then, I learnt the hard truth.

I felt so excited to receive a message from Cikgu Shima in my Facebook. However, her words really struck my heart.. "..cuma cikgu nk beritahu cikgu berumahtangga dengan cikgu fissol hashim..tetapi cikgu baru sahaja meninggalkan kita pada bulan 1,15.1 baru ni.. " I soon discovered that Cikgu Shima and Cikgu Fissol had been married and they had 6 children. The sad part was that Cikgu Fissol passed away last January. It was a mixture of feelings for me, happy that I have finally found them but sad that I didn't have the chance to meet them. May Allah bless Cikgu Fissol and may his soul rest in peace.

Innalillahiwainnailaihirajiun.

Al Fatihah.

The past and the future

Moving on to a brand new year with a whole new challenge waiting ahead. BRaInS Rugby is here to stay and continue doing what we do best. It has been four years that I'm here and I guess a lot have changed since I took over the team. I really love to see all these boys grow and develop themselves throughout the years and gain the impossible.

Series of friendly matches

As usual, the beginning of the year is the time that we get busy with a series of continuous meetings and also programs. Less that I could show up for training, however, I'm glad that these boys are independent and they can manage themselves whenever I'm not around.

Think tank! Brains over brawn

We have had a series of friendly matches in February with a few teams just to brush up those rusty skills and get new players to be familiar with the game. One thing I really hate having friendly matches is when I have to referee the game. In that position I really have to remain neutral and see how the players can think for themselves.

Basyir, the first player to represent the state (2010)

Last year was the best year ever for BRaInS Rugby because there were a lot of victories in the tournaments and also I got my first player to play for Terengganu. I would like to thank all my players and my friends for all the hardwork and sacrifice that they have made for the success of the team. I couldn't have done it without all of you.

3rd placing for both U14 and U16 Sesma Open 2010

We may not be the best yet but we surely have made a good impression to the other teams. Being able to put ourselves at the top 3 in the state of Terengganu is really something for me. I believe that with persistent and hardwork, one day we will be the best in Terengganu. My motivation is always high and there is no stopping for me to make that happen. I really hope that I will get all the support I need from the school and my family.

U13+ U14 + U16 =The Mighty Lightning BRaInS

The best never rest and I believe in that. All the good efforts shall be continued. May Allah bless us all.

My prayers will always be with you guys..May Victory be on our side.

All in high spirits and singing the song of courage!

This year marks the tenth year that I took the responsibility to develop students' talent in the game that I love the most - Rugby. The feeling was very different when I first took this responsibility last ten years. I was very inexperienced at first, having put to handle a new team at that time, SMS Labuan. All the experience during my years in Clifford school really gave me some ray of light on how to train my students plus my experience playing for Labuan Club. Yet at that time I had Rohit who was an experienced rugby player in his university years. Both of us made a good combination to take on this challenge.

Ten years had passed so quickly, now I'm already in my new school SBP Integrasi Batu Rakit. When I first came to this school, rugby was not a popular game. Nobody played rugby in the evening as most students were more attracted to football. Not many really turned out when I first had a rugby practice. I never gave up hope, I used all means of propaganda that I could use such as videos, pictures and even the display of rugby jerseys that I had just to attract the students' attention. It worked and more students turned out for training. This time I didn't have anyone to help me and I was all alone. These boys were in form two at that time. They were still very small but they've got a big heart. Even when I gave them hard training session, they soldiered on. I knew then that they were going to shine one day and would become good rugby players. The first two years, we hardly won any matches. The training got even tougher every time and they persevered. This year they are already in form four and all the pain pays off. The team gets more mature and they have started winning game after game.

Today, SBP Tens is here to come for 2010. It is the peak of rugby tournament, the biggest rugby tournament in all Malaysian school level. This year I had to choose between my passion for rugby and my family, since my 3rd baby is arriving very soon. There is nothing more important for me than my family. I know the boys are very independent, especially having a coach who is a referee. I have trust in them that they are going to do just fine. It's hard to let the boys go without me. Knowing that they've got Naim (my assistant) who's like a dear brother, gives me some assurance.

To all The Lightning BRaInS, fight like a true warrior on the field, utilize all the knowledge and skills to the fullest and the most important is to always keep your spirits high and courageously fight for victory. May Allah be with you and protect you from any danger. My prayers will always be with all of you and May Victory be on our side.

An inspiring speech by a great coach

"I don’t know what to say, really. Three minutes to the biggest battle of our professional lives. All comes down to today, and either, we heal as a team, or we're gonna crumble. Inch by inch, play by play. Until we're finished. We're in hell right now, gentlemen. Believe me. And, we can stay here, get the shit kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb outta hell... one inch at a time. Now I can't do it for ya, I'm too old. I look around, I see these young faces and I think, I mean, I've made every wrong choice a middle-aged man can make. I, uh, I've pissed away all my money, believe it or not. I chased off anyone who's ever loved me. And lately, I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror. You know, when you get old, in life, things get taken from you. I mean, that's... that's... that's a part of life. But, you only learn that when you start losin' stuff. You find out life's this game of inches, so is football. Because in either game - life or football - the margin for error is so small. I mean, one half a step too late or too early and you don't quite make it. One half second too slow, too fast and you don't quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They're in every break of the game, every minute, every second. On this team we fight for that inch. On this team we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch. We claw with our fingernails for that inch. Because we know when add up all those inches, that's gonna make the fucking difference between winning and losing! Between living and dying! I'll tell you this, in any fight it's the guy whose willing to die whose gonna win that inch. And I know, if I'm gonna have any life anymore it's because I'm still willing to fight and die for that inch, because that's what living is, the six inches in front of your face. Now I can't make you do it. You've got to look at the guy next to you, look into his eyes. Now I think ya going to see a guy who will go that inch with you. Your gonna see a guy who will sacrifice himself for this team, because he knows when it comes down to it your gonna do the same for him. That's a team, gentlemen, and either, we heal, now, as a team, or we will die as individuals. That's football guys, that's all it is. Now, what are you gonna do?"


If any of you have seen this movie (Any Given Sunday - you can watch the video here). I'm sure you'll be moved by this speech. As a coach myself I really hope that I myself can do the same. To all Lightning BRaInS.. prepare for an adventure!