With the 2013 rugby season coming up in March ThePapare peeks in to the make-overs of the “B” division schools coaches in the upcoming interschool rugby tournament.
D. S Senanayake College – Viraj Prasantha
Former National, CR&FC and Isipathana College front rower Viraj Prasantha has been appointed as the head coach of D. S for the upcoming season. Viraj has a lot of experience under his belt both as a coach and a player having coached Isipathana, S. Thomas’ and CR&FC during the last couple of years.
He’s an astute thinker having played the game at the highest level and posses an international rugby board level two accreditation as a coach. Coming from a school where rugby is a religion, Prasantha went on to captain CR&FC in 1996 and Sri Lanka in 1998 in the Asiad held in Singapore.
S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia – Grant Dwyer & Jivan Gunathilake
The Thomians after a disappointing season last year have turned to the experienced Queenslander Grant Dwyer. The experienced Grant will be accompanied by former Sri Lanka under 19 skipper and S. Thomas’, Wesley and CR&FC coach Jivan Gunathilake.
Grant is accredited with a level two coaching certificate from the Australian Rugby Football Union and has a wide range of knowledge as a player (in both rugby union and league) and is coach in his native Queensland , where he started as a half back (scrum half) before switching to an inside player. Since 1998 he has been actively involved in coaching and player development with Queensland rugby.
C. W. W Kannangara MMV – Asela Nuwan
Kannangara MMV rugby has improved in leaps and bounds over the years, and current coach Asela Nuwan is part of that success story. Asela a former player of Kannangara and captain, went on to play for Petersons SC for a short period of time soon after leaving school in 2003.
Asela is a level one qualified coach, and has already taken part in an IRB level two program and currently awaiting confirmation. He has done a complete turnaround in Kannangara rugby starting from the junior age groups. According to Sri Lanka coaching stalwart, Sanath Martis, Asela is one of the best young coaches in the Island.
Ananda College- Sashika Cooray
Well known in the rugby circles as ‘Cooray Aiya’, Sashika Cooray is a tough bloke coming from the halls of Royal College. The former National front rower, coached Ananda last year to finish 2nd in the ‘C’ division behind Prince of Wales which promoted them to the ‘B’ division.
Cooray, the former three quarter for Royal College went on to take a permanent position in the front row for both CH&FC and Sri Lanka during the last decade and a half. After a commendable schools career, he then made his local club debut in 1997 appearing for CH&FC. He went on to play for the Maitland Crescent club with distinction captaining the team in 2008.
Thurstan College – AC Tennakoon
Known as a top local referee, A. C Tennakoon is also a capable coach who has been in the coaching arena for quite some time.
Last year coaching D. S Senanayake he had a year to forget as they stumbled down to the ‘B’ division after just one year in the top division. He coached D. S Senanayake for three consecutive years starting from 2010. Before his stint with DS he was a part of the under 16 Ananda team in 2009. Tennakoon is also a prominent coach in the local universities, having coached Moratuwa University many a time to victory. He is a respected referee and has a good acquaintance of the game.
Prince of Wales College – S. M. C Samarakoon
Former Police SC scrum half Samarakoon ‘Nilame’ has been retained as the head coach of the POW team this year. Former Lumbini College player, Samarakoon started his club career in 1986 wearing the Police Sports club jersey and played for the forces all the way upto 2001. He began his coaching career in 1999 at Prince of Wales coaching for seven straight years up till 2007. He was also the coach of the Police SC XV aside team for one year.
He then had a brief stint with Ananda College coaching in the 2007-08 season and later on went on to coach Thurstan College in 2010. POW had a better year last topping the ‘C’ division beating Ananda to claim the title and remain unbeaten. Samarakoon is assisted by former St. Josephs College player and Police SC winger Nalin Fernando.
St. Sylvesters College – Faizal Hussain
Former Vidyartha College full back Faizal Hussain has been appointed as the head coach of St. Sylvesters rugby team for the 2013 season. The Dark Horses, did not have the best of season last year ending in the bottom half of the table after a string of poor performances.
Faizal, who hails from the hills played for Vidyartha in 92 and then went on to play for Kandy sports club for 4 years playing his last year in 1996. He then joined the referees union where he officiated in a number of ‘A’ division club and school games. He coached the Vidyartha U-16 and U-18 years in the following years and then moved to Dharmaraja in 2008. His final stint as a coach was at Trinity College where he coached the under 14 teams for 3 years.
Nalanda College – Suranga Arunashantha
Last year’s Air Force skipper, Suranga Arunashantha has been appointed as the head coach of Nalanda for the upcoming 2013 season.
Arunashantha first started playing club rugby while still being at school for Kaleni Valley and then moved to Air Force in 2001. He was a part of the Plate winning Airmen in 2003 and later went on to represent Sri Lanka in the 2006 commonwealth games. After a string of consistent performances he turned out wearing National colours for the Hong Kong sevens tournament in 2009.
Arunashantha replaces, Former CH&FC, Air Force and Sri Lanka sevens skipper Milinda Jayasinghe.
Lumbini College – Rasika Rohana
Lumbini this year will have retained the service of their 2012 coach Rasika Rohana. Rohana an old boy of Lumbini College was one of the best schools players to have been produced by Lumbini captaining in his final year in 1990.
The former Police SC fly half made his club debut in 1995 and played with distinction turning out for the club for a number of year until he finally ended his career in 2001. Rohana’s club career was cut short due to an injury and later went on to coach the Police SC B team. Last year Lumbini managed to secure just one win out of 9 games played as they were saved from the skins of their teeth.
Mahanama College – Gamini Perera
Mahanama College last year had an average season ending in the middle of the points table with 5 wins and four losses under their belt. This year they have gotten the services of former Army Sports club coach, Gamini Perera.
