The year 2015 has been one of the most glorious years for the school at Reid Avenue with the elusive Bradby shield making its way to Colombo followed by the celebrated league title in rugby. Royal College has, however, not been able to reach their peak in Water-polo.
Times have never been as ripe as it is now for a change of fortunes as Royal’s Water-polo contingent are on the lookout for resurgence with the prestigious Dr. R. L. Hayman Trophy around the corner.
With confidence and enthusiasm in their stride, the Royal Water-polo team will be hoping to give out their optimum performance to start their 2015 season in style and walk away with the Hayman. Though it is easy to put such a victory in words, the Hayman silverware has not sighted the Royal trophy cabinet since 2012. Luck had not been with the Royalists, as last year’s encounter saw their opponents S. Thomas College staging a fighting comeback in the second leg to retain the trophy. Collecting experience and expertise during the past few years, Royal’s water-polo team consists of eight colours-men who have been working hard despite key players leaving the squad after the closure of last year’s season.
Chandula Fernando to lead the Royal
Coloursman Chandula Fernando will be leading the Royalists this season and he is a strong athlete who could counter the attacks of his opponents single-handedly. Representing the Royal side for four years, there could be no other player who would savor the taste of victory as much as him. Playing in his final season for Royal College, Chandula will be the key decision maker in Royal’s gameplay in the coming weeks starting from the Hayman trophy and will want to continue his effort till the conclusion of the Water Polo nationals. Fernando, who is also a swimmer himself, has the under 19 200m backstroke and the 100m backstroke records under his belt.
Players to watch out
One of the key architects in the team will be Chandula’s deputy, Yahiya Jaffer. Playing his final school season, Jaffer will be on the lookout to get his hands on the celebrated trophy at the conclusion of the second leg. Jaffer who is famous for his achievements in the swimming arena, was the champion swimmer of the under 19 division in the Schools National Swimming Championships that was concluded a few months ago. When it comes to speed and agility, there will be no comparison to Jaffer and that may be one of the key aspects that will give the Royalists the edge this year.
Including Chandula and Jaffer, the Royal water-polo team consists of eight colorsman that include Rifakh Uwais, Kisal Assalarachchi, Namidu Ranasinghe, Anthony Wijewardena, Senith Samaranayaka and Basith Yakoob. These eight will form the core of Royal’s team and with their experience in the past two-three years; Royal has compiled a complete outfit. Swimming has been the forte for the Royalists in the water polo arena during the past few years and they will no doubt use it as their main weapon in the coming weeks.
Coached by Aloka Prelis, a former water-polo player for Royal College has been working tirelessly in fine-tuning the Royalists in his tenure as coach over the span of a year. Taking up duties as head coach of the team last year, he believes that he can take the young Royal team to greater heights in the years to come. Despite the departure of four key players from the team, Aloka believes that his side could prove to be one of the best if they adapt accordingly.
Royal College will be in hot persuit this weekend to mark the start of their water polo run for 2015 facing S. Thomas’ College in the first leg of the Hayman trophy. Only time will tell whether Royals water polo heydays will soon re-visit.
