Running with the oval-shaped ball in hand on a rectangular field with H-shaped goal posts on each try line, this man is no outlander to the home of Rugby in Sri Lanka.
Former Trinity and Sri Lanka skipper Sean Mark Wijesinghe is currently leading the Kandy Sports Club in the Rugby season which kicked off in early November. He played for Trinity College in 2000 and 2001 as a bright coloursman in the sports of Rugby and Basketball. Since then he has been representing Kandy SC for a wave of more than thirteen incredible years. He has also rendered his service of action turning out for the national team as skipper in 2011.
Sean, a third row forward is one of the most talented and acquainted players in the domestic rugby scene. His passion for the sport has led him to such heights and his dedication has been highlighted as a benchmark to any sportsman. A man of great stature, Sean is obviously an inspiration to all forms of games and sportsmen in Sri Lanka with his illustrious career of highs and lows. He is surely committed with his uphill task to achieve the feat in this format of the game.
ThePapare.com caught up with Rugby’s long-standing serviceman who has taken upon himself to revive the prestige of the Kandy Sports Club.
Tell us a bit about the beginnings of your rugby career – school and initiation to club?
It was a hilarious start! At the beginning, my main motivation for playing rugby was by listening to some of the conversations of my sister’s friends. All they spoke about was rugby players. I think that somehow crept inside my head and I ended up becoming passionate about being a rugby player. As a kid, I started playing for Trinity at age 10, and I think there was not one day that I didn’t dream of rugby. I was lucky to have represented Trinity for rugby in all age groups; however my last season in college was very average and this made me want to continue playing. All I wanted was to have one good club season and hang my boots, but here I am, 14 years later, and I’m still a rugby lover.
What sort of support and mentoring did you receive?
When I was playing for school, I played rugby without my parents’ knowledge. However, the only family member that knew and supported me was my sister, Chrishani. I also developed a great bond with the batch mates that I stayed with all the time, as I was in the college boarding. After joining Kandy, it was Mr. Malik Samarawickrama who supported me, and found me a job and a place to stay, until my beloved wife Christina came into my life. She has been with me, taking good care of me and giving me strength since then. Nevertheless, she is not the happiest when she sees me bruised after games. We both believe that we don’t want any regrets this season, as we ended up second in the league for two years.
How do you cope when injury sidelines you, as in your case a full season?
It is the hardest phase of any sports person’s life to be injured and sidelined. Unfortunately, it happened to me when I was at the peak of my career – when I was captaining the national side. I think I have gone through close to 13 surgeries in my whole career, but out of the 5 surgeries I had over the last two years 3 of them were so critical that I had to travel to Australia to get it done. But I will never forget playing the 2012 season with fractured pubic symphysis. I believe that if any athlete can go through that, he can go through anything.
As a skipper many times over, what goals/objectives do you set and how do you keep the team motivated?
Being a skipper is not always an easy task. You have to be self-motivated and disciplined, you can’t make excuses, you will be criticized if something goes wrong, and you will be praised if things work out well. For me, being a skipper is being a trustworthy person to your team mates. If I know one thing, it is that if I stand up for my mates, they will stand up for me on the field. And I ‘m so privileged to have such boys who will go all the way to achieve a common goal.
How would you describe your tenure as the captain of the national team?
I really enjoyed playing for Sri Lanka, especially captaining, and it was a great ride with many colourful memories and I enjoyed the team spirit very much.
From your experience, have you got any tips on how you stay motivated in tough and challenging moments?
The most important thing has been to believe in yourself and your faith. As a Christian, I had both these things at any given situation – I believed that things are going to be fine, so I always play to win. I will never get on to the field thinking that we are going to lose; I always believed and I always tried to convince my team mates to do the same. If you can have 15 people who believe that they can do it, then just do your best to keep the faith and keep praying, then you can conquer the impossible.
Run us through some of the highlights of your career.
During school, of course winning the Bradby Shield in 2000. Thereafter playing for Kandy and Sri Lanka. The most unforgettable period is winning 10 league titles and the Clifford Cup championship. Another highlight you feel is captaining the Sri Lanka side and winning Asian five nations in Singapore.
I also thoroughly enjoyed my time playing overseas rugby in Taranaki, NZ and also being a part of the coaching staff: Trinity and Kandy, it was good to be able to give back.
Could you outline a normal day of in your life, training etc?
I’m an early bird, so I wake up at 5.30am and read in the morning. Then, I train and thereafter head to work (I am currently employed at MAS Holdings). I go for physiotherapy, as I’m carrying some injuries, then head for training again in the evening. It is quite a packed day – I’m lucky to just get some time off from work during the season.
Apart from Rugby, what are your interests and passions?
I love the outdoors, so whenever I get a break, Christina and I enjoy travelling to the beach or the jungle. I also love to read and watch movies.
Life after rugby?
I have my career in the apparel industry. When I was last dedicated at work, I was doing good as a Planning and Logistics Manager. So I would like to resume my career there. I am little outdated, but I am sure I can catch up very fast. I would also like to be involved in rugby somehow. Let’s see how it goes.
Any words of advice for an upcoming player?
Reach high by working hard but clean, also never forgetting the golden rule to remain humble. Money is a resource, but it’s not everything. If we don’t understand this early in life, down the line you may suffer and end up unhappy. My heart and my loyalty were for one school, one club and one country.
In your point of view, what must be done to improve rugby in Sri Lanka?
Focus and spend more time and energy on local talent, set realistic objectives and try to become number 2 after Japan, in Asia. Develop all the other related areas such as referees, nutrition, rehabilitation, training periodization are some of the few.
ThePapare.com was privileged to have words from the former national skipper and hails his services to Rugby. Our good wishes to him.
