Exciting times are ahead as Police SC are all geared up for another power- packed Dialog Inter-club Rugby season.
Mission 2013-14
The last season Sri Lanka Police won 6 matches including an infamous victory against the UpCountry Lions in the opening match played at the Jayathilaka Stadium in Nawalapitiya and of the matches they lost some were down to a few points.
This year Police SC is captained by former Ananda College player Jeewan Amaradasa and sponsored by Entrust Limited and in preparation for this year’s tournament, they have been practicing since April and include some seniors as well as a few schools’ players under contract basis, with former Royal College captain Arshad Jamaldeen making his debut.
Police has a well established development programme in which they identify future Police sports talents through an inter-division tournament which is held each year and the stand out players are given an opportunity to represent Police in their respective sports. The talent which is identified in Rugby is nurtured as a 2nd XV and the best players from that side are included into the 1st XV squad and the inclusion of experienced schools’ rugby players will give Police SC an added bonus.
In an effort to take Police Rugby to new heights they have obtained the services of former Police and national player Nizam Jamaldeen. Jamaldeen was one of the stars during the glory days in the 80’s.
“I took up the job at the request of Inspector General of Police who is a keen follower of rugby and the rugby committee. The boys have trained hard in the pre season. There are some good players in Walgama, Silva from the Special Task Force, Rasika who is an outstation player.” Nizam Jamaldeen added.
“Jamaldeen is a past Police player and knows what it takes to be a Police player. He has a lot of experience and has given a lot of input as how to improve on our game and skill. I believe with him our goal of being in the top can be achieved.” Captain Amaradasa added about their new coach and the goal for the season.
The Glory Days
Rugby at Police SC was started in 1963 and in 1968 they were promoted to ‘A’ Division. Three years later they had their first title under the captaincy Anton Benedict when they won the Knockout Tournament, but it was not until the early 80’s that Rugby at Police SC thrived and became a force to reckon with. After winning their first League title in 1980 Police went on a record breaking decade as they consecutively won the ‘A’ Division League title which was then known as the ‘John Player League’ from 84-89. During that time they had Seven’s tournament wins. The most significant years during that time was when Police won the Treble, (‘A’ Division, Clifford Cup and Seven’s) in 1985 and 1989.
With one match left and the title in sight Police had to withdraw from the League tournament in the 1990 because of the war in the North, however they returned the next year and won the President’s Trophy and the League which incidentally was the last time they tasted a championship.
During the years many Rugby greats have donned the Police jersey; Anton Benedict, Daya Jayasundara, Majeed, Sunil Perera, Rohan Gunarathna, M.H. Massom, Siriwardena, Nizam Jamaldeen, Sudath Sampath, Niranjan Abeywardena, Nilantha and Hemantha Lakshiyawa, Aruna De Silva, Roger Rodrigo, Hector Gunathilaka, Asoka Jayasena, W. Thilakarathna to name a few.
The Police home grounds is Police Park, Bambalapitiya. ThePapare wishes the Police team all the very best.
Squad 2013
T.Shivanadan – Prop
Manoj Silva – Prop
R.L.Nanayakkara – Prop
Chameera Walgama – Prop
Mohomed Insaf – Prop
Udara Gayan – Prop
Lahiru Gurusinghe – Fly Half
Arshad Jamaldeen – Fly Half
Jeewan Amaradasa – Wing
Ijaaz Bohoran – Wing
Hashan Gomez – Scrum Half
Ajith Herath – Scrum Half
Milinda Bandara – Scrum Half
L.R.N.Gamage – Hooker
Akmal Hassen – Hooker
Manaka Siriwardena – Hooker
C.U.Sooriyapperuma – Second Row
H.S.Sandaruwan – Second Row
Romesh Achirige – Second Row
Uthpala Edirisinghe – Full Back
Rasika Gayan – Full Back
G.B.Weerakoon – Center
Randitha Warnapura – Center
Danushka Kodikara – Flanker
Udaya Kumara – Flanker
Gihan Ranaweera – Flanker
Shanaka Harischandra – Flanker
Asanka Dias
Uditha Premathilake
Dushan Honnanthara
Pabasara Madawa
Chethiya Wadugodapitiya
Chammika Thushara
S.M.C.Samarakoon – Manager
Nizam Jamaldeen – Coach
Sudath Sampath – Assistant Coach
