Sri Lanka’s Schools rugby season has reached the half way stage after grueling and exciting 5 rounds of classic rugby. Blue and White college from Darley road scraped through to the cup championship with two wins in five games and ThePapare.com spoke to the star Josephian full back Shamilka Kurumbalapitiya who is the corner stone in this year’s outfit for his alma mater.
How did you start your Rugby career?
It was indeed an interesting beginning as when I was in grade 5, my friend Denham Hakel asked me to attend rugby practices and since then I was a part of the Under 12,14,16 and 18 rugby teams and for the last three years I represented St. Joseph’s 1st XV rugby team.
How was the support you got from your Family?
My parents encouraged me a lot to play rugby after I started. At first, they were bit hesitant as I was small but they ended up supporting me to become who I am today and I will always be grateful to them for their undying strength and help.
What are the feelings and emotions of representing St. Joseph’s College rugby team?
It gives me great pride and honor to represent my alma mater. It’s always a special feeling wearing the Blue & White stripped jersey and running on to the ground each and every time. I always try my utmost best to bring all glory to my beloved College.
How do you describe the current 2014 Josephian rugby team?
This year’s team has tremendous amount of potential and talent within all the players. But for unknown reasons, our team has not performed to the best of their ability. We will look to play a superior brand of rugby in the upcoming second round and to win many games as possible and end the season on a high.
What is your most memorable moment/achievement in rugby?
I represented Sri Lanka under 18s team last year for the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing and It was the most memorable achievement in my life so far to be able to represent Sri Lanka which I never thought I will. The experience I gained playing against other countries was invaluable.
What do you think about the present standards of rugby in Sri Lanka?
The level of rugby professionalism in Sri Lanka has skyrocketed dramatically since I first started watching rugby. The interests among the fans have increased due to the popularity of rugby in our country and it’s quite pleasing as a school player to see the enthusiasm towards the game.
What is your daily program like?
I wake up early morning and then well on week days I have to attend school from 7am to 2pm. After school, I have practices till 6pm. After going home, I relax a bit and then study for an hour or so before I go to sleep.
How do you prepare yourself before a game?
Pre-match, I listen to music and try to remember all my duties for my team and I always try to be calm and focused on the game. I have been given many responsibilities during the game such as place kicking, kick off and etc. I always try and visualize on all the positives before the start of the match to prepare my-self to give my 100% on the field.
As a place kicker how do you practice your kicking skills?
Before we start practicing as a team, I go to the ground 15 or 20 minutes before with the other kickers of our team and we practice our kicking. After practices, I boot around 50 kicks in different angles in order to be able to kick from anywhere within my range during a game.
Who is your favorite rugby player?
I really love the way Israel Dagg from New Zealand play the game. He’s an intelligent player with loads of skills as a full back.
How does rugby affect your studies?
Rugby is not an easy sport to play. It takes a lot of energy and strength. After practices, by the time I reach home I feel very tired and sleepy so it is very hard to concentrate and revise my daily work at school but I somehow manage to study and balance my studies and rugby.
What is the motto of your life?
I believe in a simple motto, “No Pain, No Gain “. I believe that if you don’t give your best at anything you do, results will not favor you as well.
What is your goal in rugby after the school career?
I would like to play for a club but representing Sri Lanka in 7s and 15s teams is the ultimate goal in my life as a rugby player. I will give my best to achieve that dream one day and bring victories to our country.
What are your future plans beyond rugby?
I would like to pursue my higher studies in the field of Accounting. I wish to be a chartered accountant and to be a qualified CIMA graduate.
Finally, any words of gratitude?
I would like to thank all my coaches since the age of 12 until now. Especially I want to thank my loving parents for motivating me, my team mates who have been wonderful colleagues through thick & thin and finally my friends for supporting me and cheering me.
ThePapare.com thanks Shamilka for his time and hope we get to write about him in the future.
