With the 2013 rugby season coming up ThePapare delves in to the characters and capabilities of the “A” division schools coaches in the impending interschool rugby tournament.
Isipathana College – Shamly Nawaz
The current heirs to the rugby crown, Isipathana College have kept faith in their old boy’s combination of Shamly Nawaz and Bandula Mallikarachchi.
The duo did an exceptional job, moulding a solid unit which went on to win both the league and the knock out tournament.
Nawaz a former Ispathana old boy, National and CR&FC back row forward was also the coach of the 2009 side which was captained by Niroshan Fernando. Nawaz was an outstanding player for Isipathana and went on to captain his side in 1998.
The 1996 Isipathana skipper and National player Bandula Mallikarachchi will assist Nawaz as the backline coach.
Royal College – Yohan Taylor
South African born Johan Taylor who has been a part of the invincible Kandy SC side during the last 6 years will come in as the rugby director of Royal College for the 2013 season.
The IRB level 3 qualified coach, has an abundance of experience having coached the Kandy SC team for 6 years out of which they won the league and knock out for 5 consecutive years starting from 2007.
Taylor will be assisted by last year’s head coach, and former Royalist Bilal Yusuf, Sri Lanka skippers Asanga Rodrigo and Dushanth Lewke.
St. Anthony’s College – Theo Serafim
The New Zealander Theo Serafim who has been in the local schools coaching program from 2007 was contracted in November last year as the rugby director for a three year period.
Serafim will replace former Antonian skipper Sanjaya Amunugama as the head coach and will have the assistance of Priyantha Guneratne who coached Kingswood last year.
The Kiwi was a part of the Royal College teams in 2009, 2010 and 2011 producing some outstanding results winning 23 games out of 26.
St. Peters College – Collin Denish
The Peterites have retained the services of Colin Denish as the head coach for the 2013 season. Denish, the 1989 St. Peters College skipper, has been in the coaching system for quite some time being a part of many Championship teams including Keith Gurusinghe’s 2010 team.
He is a coach with a great repute having served as coach for considerable amount of time, and also is an accredited international rugby board coach. He was appointed head coach after a long lapse last year once their former head coach Sanath Martis stepped down.
Denish will be flanked by assistant Coaches Ishan Noor and Thilina Bulner, Manager Mahesh De Silva, Fitness Trainer Benedict Perera, Team Physician Dr Clive C. James.
Trinity College – Neil Foote
The 2012 inter school league runner’s up, Trinity College Kandy have retained the services of their entire coaching team which is headed by Kiwi Neil Foote.
Foote is a former classic All- black and Twickenham Rugby Club representative. The New Zealander holds the distinction of being the deputy coach for the legendary Barbarians side against upcoming Portugal. Under Foote, Trinity managed to win the knock out tournament in 2011 and went on to finished 2nd best to Isipathana during last season in both the league and the Knock out championship.
He will be assisted by former Kandy SC, Navy SC and Sri Lanka half back, Nilfer Ibrahim.
Kingswood College – Ananda Kasthuriarachchi
Kingswood College have turned to one of their finest past players and coaches, the experienced Ananda Kasthuriarachchi another prominent figure in the local rugby arena known for his knowledge of the game and discipline.
He has been a part of some solid Kandy schools sides, while also helping out in the South. ‘Kastro’ as he is fondly known in the rugby circles, Kasthuriarachchi coached the 2008 Sri Lanka under 20 team to the Junior Asiad, along with SanathMartis.
His efforts were recognized last year, as the International rugby board appointed him as a rugby educator in Sri Lanka.
Science College – Mothilal Jayathileke
The most promising team during the last couple of years has been Science College, and it has been mainly due to the work put in by the coaching staff spearheaded by Mothilal Jayathileke.
Jayathileke has been in the rugby circles for a reasonable amount of time in the capacity of, physical and fitness trainer and coach. He has been a mastermind in creating champion teams from Kingswood, St. Peters and S. Thomas’ and has been in the national forefront for many years. His efforts were recognized as he was pushed on to train both the Sri Lanka senior and junior teams during the last few years.
He will be assisted by 2005 Science College fly half Amila Chathuranga.
St. Josephs College –Nihal Viper Guneratne
The Josephians who had an inconsistent season last year, has called upon one of the most experienced coaches in the Island, Nihal Viper Jnr Guneratne for the upcoming season as their rugby director.
Guneratne is widely regarded as one of the best technical coaches in the Island and has the accreditation of the International rugby board of being one of the few international rugby educators in Sri Lanka. The former Antonian and Sri Lanka flanker will replace Sunanda Fernando.
Tikiri Dissanayke who is famously known as the captain of the league winning Antonian outfit in 2001 will accompany Guneratne as the assistant coach.
DharmarajaCollege – Radhika Hettiarachchi
One of Sri Lanka’s long serving players and former skipper, Radhika Hettiarachchi has been appointed as the head coach of Dharmaraja this year. Rajans had an exceptional season last year winning all their matches on offer in the ‘B’ division, thus winning the championship.
Hettiarachchi, the former Dharmaraja College skipper, is an experienced player having played in both the sevens and fifteens formats for over a decade for Sri Lanka. He made his National debut in 1998 and has been a regular member of the Sri Lanka team over the years. He will replace Nimal Lal Wijasiri who coached the Rajans last year.
Wesley College – Henry Terence
The 2012 inter club league winning Havelock’s SC skipper and former Wesley College deputy skipper (2005), Henry Terence will be the head coach for the lads from Campbell Park this year.
Henry started off his club career at CR&FC before shifting to Havelock’s sports club where he led his team to a league win after a 30 years old drought. The big made front rower has been a regular in the National side playing for a number of 15 aside tournaments.
He will be assisted by Dennis Amal Pathirana while the Physical training will be conducted by George Illangaratne
