Utilizing the resources within the Air Force and not investing on foreign players, the Sri Lanka Air Force Rugby Squad gears up for the upcoming rugby season.
The Air Force Rugby squad boasts of a history that’s close to the history of the military regiment itself. After rugby was introduced to the Sri Lanka Army it was soon transferred to the Sri Lanka Air Force. Since then Air Force had been the knockout champions of 1986 Clifford Cup and been the finalists of the club 7s on three occasions vs CR, Kandy and Havelock.
The Air Force had been a very strong team leading the local rugby and producing national level players 25 years back before the civil war broke-out. Since the status has declined with the focus changing over to the battles fought in the north and with many rugby players prioritizing on their work, performance in the game within this period took a down -hill. Also being a club which has not invested on foreign players in the recent past it’s currently on the way to restore the status in the ruby arena on their own merits.
“We have reinstated the rugby squad now. The commander in charged has personally requested me to utilize the human resources within in the Air Force camp for the game,” notes the coach of Sri Lanka Air Force rugby Chandana Ravihansa. Since the end of the war now the soldiers can strongly be allocated solely on the sport. “Now I am focused on soldiers in the force only. Since last year we have recruited 5 new players to the teams. They have never been exposed to the sport before. This was a very tough challenge. Most of them haven’t played rugby before. And we had only a time of one year to hold practices”
Taking up on the challenges, Air force had played the last season with a very few senior players. Knowing the conditions the commander in charge has requested the officials to at least bring home one victory within the season. Full-filling the requirement the squad had been able to win over two clubs: CH and CR & FC. Growing form the initial ambition the team has set up their goal to beat 5 or more clubs this season.
“Currently we are trying to maintain a common ground for all the rugby players so that everyone will work as a team. There are about 9 senior players, who’ve played last season. Charith Senevirathena, Iddhamalgoda, De Zoya, Kulakulasuriya, Madhagedhara are few of the senior players we are expecting a lot from. On to the changes only the players who have fared well in the practice sessions are in the game,” laments Anil Janaka, Manager of the Air Force Rugby.
Air Force is now known for its unique recruitment programmes. The Coach commenting on the enlistments “the potential among the force with almost 27000 soldiers in numbers is immense. The practices and the progress of the game is different to that of many other clubs. We have to start with the fundamentals. There are advantages and disadvantages in such training. I think this as a responsibility of a coach adapt to the requirements of the situation. “
The Air Force has started the special preparation for the club season, with the new recruitments, 6 months back. The new players had been mixed with the senior players where knowledge and skills were shared. But the whole squad had been at together since last year. The initial stages of practices were staged in Trincomalee and Diyathalawa and from about a year ago especially for the new guys. The out bound trainings were not related to rugby but rather on capacity building within the team.
“We are balancing the strengths and the weaknesses. Almost all the backs and the forwards are utilized in the game,” lamented the coach on the game plan. “Analyzing the team, I think my forwards are very strong. Placing these people strategically I’m sure we can achieve a great outcome. Also we are going to analyze the match beforehand the track the opponent movements. And we will adjust our resources according to the need”
The fitness training takes place with the Air Force Camp itself. The rugby squad will undergo special training according to the requirements, yet the follow up will be done according to the military training. The rugby squad has also decided to undergo an organic nutritional plan instead of a supplement process. At the special request from the commander in charge the team is granted these facilities.
Due to the new recruitment and the natural weight training plan the Air Force team will be on a below average weight compared to the club standards. However, taking the situation into consideration the game plans have been changed to allow flowing rugby techniques catering to special needs. Playing fast games and taking the speed and endurance into advantage, the Air Force team is geared to change the pattern of the opponent.
Since last year many clubs have gained access to foreign players and professional rugby players. The Air Force on the other hand have stuck to the player within the air base. Still the team is very optimistic of the upcoming matches due to the intense training they’ve been through. The goal of the upcoming season will be defeat a minimum of 4 clubs.
“My sole aim is to develop the game as a past national player. I really love what I’m doing. Regardless we face victory or defeat I’m going to accept it humbly, but we are in it to win it,” remarks the coach.
1. Amal Dasanayake
2. Dhanushka Jayarathne
3. Pradeep Kurukulasuriya
4. Prasanna Soysa
5. Pusspakumara Samarahewa
6. Donald Frank
7. Chamara Lakruwan
8. Gayan Anuradha
9. Ranuka Madagedhara
10. Ranil Madagedhara
11. Lahiru Udhayanga
12. Gihan Perera
13. Dilusha Padhmakumara
14. Rohan Fernando
15. Asanka perera
16. Erandha ranaweera
17. Mithun Gunasekara
18. Kosala Nuwan perera
19. Isuru jayarathne
20. Jeero dhananjaya
21. Gayantha iddamalgoda
22. Lanka perera Nadeesh
23. Suranga arunashnatha
Manger – Anil Janaka
Coach – Chandana Ravihansa
Fitness trainer – Kapila Munasinghe
Secretary – Subash Jayathilaka
Physio – Priyankara Buddhika
Physio -Manawa Chathuranga
