THERE are no limitations to John-Anthony Sullivan’s passion, skill and competitive spirit when he steps onto the rugby field.
The two-time KZN Sharks qualifier first fell in love with the sport from watching live games on television as a child. His fascination with tackles and scrums grew even more in primary school when he joined a training programme at Glenwood Preparatory School. There, the rugby enthusiast developed his skills. “It was there where I discovered my true passion for this sport. I kept on telling myself that I will be on that field and on television one day, and that dream has not stopped to this day,” he said.
“My earliest memory was my first rugby game in Grade 4. I don’t remember much of the game itself but I do recall the night before the game. I could barely sleep due to the excitement that I felt and still to this day I battle to sleep before a game due to all the emotions that run through my body.”
He joined the Harlequins Rugby Club U15 in 2016 and has played numerous positions from prop, lock, 8th man, inside centre, full back and is currently an open side flanker. Some of the player’s main tournament highlights include an opportunity to tour Paarl in the Western Cape in Grade 9.
“The experience was amazing, especially when we went to Ratanga Junction. We played against the three local schools in the area. The competition was great which made the experience all the more worthwhile. During my time at Harlequins I was chosen to play in the IPT Tour for the KZN Duikers as an U16 in 2017. We came second in the tour with myself as vice-captain. The Head of the KZN Duikers thereafter changed their name to the Sharks. I was overwhelmed and excited because now I was playing for the KZN Junior Sharks. At the end of the tournament I was selected for the ‘green squad’. This meant that if the SA team had to play international games, I would have been part of that squad. I was chosen for the KZN Sharks again in 2019 but this time I was selected as an U18 captain and tour captain.”
He was also awarded man of the match for the 2019 Ronnie van Rooyen Day held at Harlequins, which remains a proud moment for the local player. “Harlequins will always be my family even though I am not with the club anymore,” said John-Anthony who had to move to Johannesburg this year to seek a better job opportunity after the company he had been working for liquidated.
“The thing that I love most about this sport other than the high intensity, contact and the rush it gives you, is that you get people from all different backgrounds, races and it brings us all together as a brotherhood. It unites us on and off the field. That is what I love most about this sport, rugby is my biggest passion. One thing that I don’t like is that you get a few beast-like referees here and there but then again you get that in all sports.” “I play rugby both competitively and socially because I love the competition a lot. I always try to better myself against other players and socially because you can make lifelong friendships.”
The Penzance Senior Primary old boy shared the impact of Covid-19 had both a good and bad effect on him. “As a rugby player because before all of this I had a routine, woke up in the morning go to work and then head to rugby directly afterwards. When the lockdown was introduced my work was closed and rugby was stopped. This I must admit, made me a bit lazy for about two or three months. That was a negative effect on me as a sportman. After my lazy period I developed a new routine, getting up at 6am for a jog and on the way doing a few basic workouts such as push-ups, sit ups, ab crunches, squats and lunges. With time, this had a positive effect. Since our the rugby season in has been cancelled, I am now focusing on being more fit and prepared for the next season,” he said.
Before finding his niche, the 19-year-old also enjoyed other sports including cricket, hockey, water polo, softball in his schooling days.
“My biggest support system in my rugby career has to be my family at Harlequins, coaches Pierre Smuts and Charl Bezuidenhout, Domanique Smuts as well as the first team players. If it was not for them always pushing me, motivating me, I would not have accomplished all that I have today.”
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