…but wish I did. So my 1st XV experience was mainly from the stands. Watching our heroes strut their stuff, trying desperately to remember the names and the nicknames of the players in order to shout encouragement, and yes, occasionally scream out a few choice epithets at a fluffed pass or missed tackle. So let’s start.
Initial experiences. Going to watch college play the boys in green. Decided to invest in a grandstand tickets after weighing the pros and cons of being vociferous from the grass banks of CR as opposed personal safety. Screaming “get him Poosa” with no idea who Poosa was at that time (apologies to Chinthaka Abeysuriya). “Up Rajja” (so THAT’S Rajja who is going up!) and all other phrases of encouragement. Then on to watch them at Suga. Distanced from the play but closer to our opponents from the camp with the extra red stripe so indulging in verbal duels galore. Familiar now with the players and the stars. Trying to figure out what all those “cards” on the Bradby souvenir meant.
And then, older and a bit wiser in the ways of the world as well as the game, passing more erudite comments on the play, how it should have panned out and occasionally looking about to see if people actually got the fact that you knew your rugby. Leaving college and going on to conquer the world but coming back every Friday or Saturday to scream out my support in favour of those who played the game I loved so dearly. Learning how to “be a sport” in the face of losses and actually cheer the opponent. Learning the respect it takes to appreciate the game but yet driven by loyalty, manifest in frequent cries of “referee hora” in the face of dubious and not-so-dubious decisions.
Supporting our peers in their endeavours on the field. We knew it all. Sudu should have passed that ball to Chicky. Achco should have kicked and let Rodda collect the punt. Chama needs a bit more pace to the breakdown (I won’t hear the end of this). Sooo many ifs and buts. But still turning out for every match in hope of glory.
Making the annual pilgrimage to Kandy to witness triumph or heartbreak with close friends and family, trying to do our bit from a fan perspective to college rugby. Learning the name of the stand off was of great importance to some (you know who you are) since general advice on where to put it (be it the ball or any other convenient object) sounds better with the name attached.
Finding your way through Kandy traffic is almost as hard as piercing the Trinity defense. Ensuring that everyone’s spirits are high is another daunting task. Finding a hotel, transport, general logistics are all part of the pain a true fan goes through in his quest to be there for the team.
The fan is an important part of any game. The passion with which we support those who don the jersey is one of the main driving forces in my opinion. We try to be there and though over the years, not many will remember those who screamed their heart out from the bleachers, they are as blue and gold as any who put on the jersey. Respect for the opponent comes from us as well as any player. Every time we scream “Up Royal” or “Go Royal” we are showing our belief in the 15 out there. Every time we scream in frustration at a missed opportunity or try conceded, we are showing how much we empathise with the players and how much we bleed for Royal. We believe. We put every ounce of our being behind that belief. We will shout from the top of our lungs for every yard gained, every scrum won against the head and every lineout ball stolen. We do this because we want you to win for us. For Royal for the blue and gold jersey you wear with pride. That is our hope and dream. Win with style and panache and walk off the field with your head held high as a Royalist. Do that, and every throat raw from yelling will find a decibel more to add to the cries of “R-O-Y-A-L”.
Being a fan is never easy. Subjective in approach, yet striving for objectivity. Age helps. A bit. But one thing still holds true. We will be there for Royal rugby till our vices are too feeble to be heard. And even then, in our minds, we will cheer the loudest of all.
I salute each and every one of you who donned the jersey and gave us much to be proud of.
FLOREAT
