Kandy Sports Club Start Training
By Hafiz Marikar
Fazil Marija and his Kandy Sports Club team started their training for the new season under the watchful eyes of Johan Taylor who is coaching the team for the fourth year. During the last three years of his coaching stint Kandy Sports Club dished out superb rugby and were able to continue their triple winning run.
Taylor, a master technician of the game, is all out to give his best for the team and once again make them the kings of Sri Lanka Rugby.
Fazil Marija the new captain was happy about the attendance on the first day, almost all the last year’s players and also few new faces from clubs and schools were present.
Lasantha Wijayasuriya, the rugby chairman of the champion club, says this time too they will be dictating terms to others and their aim is for the triple.
————————————————————
Anil Jayasinghe To Coach Vidyartha
Anil Jayasinghe takes over as rugby coach of his old school Vidyartha College. Having started off his coaching career at Vidyartha he moved to Dharmaraja College and coached them for six years and later went over to Trinity College where he was their coach for nine long years — 2009 being his last year.
He has a vast knowledge in coaching which he would put to good use at his old school.
He is happy that he has the same team which played last year, under the watchful eyes of M. Faizal who is now the assistant coach.
Anil played for Vidyartha College from 1981 to 1984 under George Jayasena as a fullback. He got the opportunity to lead the school team in 1984, his last year of school rugby. While at school he also played for Kandy Sports Club. He played for the Nittawela club from 1984 to 1990, and also led the club and the Up-Country XV.
After hanging up his boots he took up the whistle in 1990 and got a break in 1992 to blow in the Division I matches. Anil qualified as an international referee in 1996 and did a grand job with the whistle. He has blown in many cup finals, Bradby’s and at international tournaments.
Wasantha Dissanayake, a fine ruggerite is the president of the Vidyartha Rugby Development Group. He said that to raise funds for rugby they have decided to organise Gold’n Blues Rugby Night on January 30, at Mahaweli Reach Hotel. — Hafiz Marikar
————————————————————
Bernard Joseph – A Great Promoter
S.H Bernard Joseph F.S.I., is one of the finest third row forwards produced by St. Peter’s College in late 1950s. He is a sportsmen, sports benefactor, philanthropist and above all a gentleman. He is now one of the Trustees of Havelocks Sports Club for the year 2010.
Many are the instances in his illustrious career, where he has displayed integrity and honesty, a shining example to all administrators. Joseph was a fine ruggerite, having played for school in the third row and later for CR & FC in the early 1960s.
He has served in the Havelock Sports Club committee for a long spell, having been a one time Treasurer and Secretary. He has been a committee member for nearly 25 years. Later he was appointed a Life Member, Vice Patron and now a Trustee.
As a sports promoter he has helped many clubs in the fields of cricket, football and rugby. He helped SSC with the Lanka Bell Tower, and also gave a big hand for school and club rugby. He has also helped Kandy Football.
Bernard is a well known Licensed Surveyor, Court Commissioner and Valuer. — Hafiz Marikar
