Dr. Larry Foenander's Discipline and Disciples
RUGBY:
In the galaxy of Sri Lankan Ruggerites Dr. Larry Foenander was a
complete star a dazzling player, a shining leader, a trail blazing
coach, a fair referee and, at 88 years of age, he remains a luminous
gentleman. In his own words in Melbourne Australia "I am still standing,
strong!"
Larry's induction to Rugby was at Royal College where the
constellation, in 1941, included such well-known names as Minoo Jilla,
Miles Christoffelsz, EV Pieris, Summa Navaratnam, Gemini Salgado and the
Aldons brothers.
And it was under Minoo's captaincy in 1941, when Larry played, that
Royal beat Trinity for the first time, after 21 years.
It was under Larry's Captaincy in 1943 that Royal beat Trinity again
(6-0). The team that Larry led: Freedie Aldons, G. Rajapakse, EV Pieris,
Summa Navaratnam, Harry Aldons, Mahes Rodrigo, CDL Fernando, CN
Kannangara, S. Wickremasuriya, A. Amarasinghe, SLE de Silva, M.
Amarasinghe, N. Vancuylenberg and D. de Moor. The Trinity team was led
by WJ Jenkins and included such well-known players as Malcolm Wright,
Michael Kagwa, SB Pilapitiya, and Robert Sourjah.
Strength of his principles and DISCIPLINE is what defined the success
that Larry achieved and the respect he commanded both at Royal as
captain in 1943 and as the Havies Coach, 1960-1967.
Given his Army background, his team selections were strictly on
merit. Fitness and skill were defining criteria; there was no keeping
special places for anyone; no primus inter pares (first among equals);
and all selections were without fear or favour.
Those were the days when the illustrious Hubert Aloysius ruled the
roost. However on one occasion Larry determined that Hubert was not as
fit as he was before. He was dropped from a key game against the strong
Dim-Dicks (Dimbulla - Dickoya) team. This sent shock waves and YC Chang,
known for his forthrightness and fearlessness, had gone up to Larry and
said "if Hubert does not play count us out, Sir!"
Larry strict disciplinarian
Larry's response: Hey mate, can you see that door? If you guys do not
turn up for practice at 4.15 tomorrow you can be sure that I will have a
different team playing!
All players turned up and the Dim-Dicks were soundly beaten by a
stunning margin. Larry recalls that YC coming up to him and saying "you
were right Larry, thank you". Larry regards YC as one of the best
forwards he has coached and respects him as the hard driving ruggerite,
full of integrity, that the Kandy Sports, the Havies, and the Sri Lanka
Teams were privileged to have.
Discipline was exemplified again when Larry, on a brief visit from
Australia, was invited by Havies captain Gamini Fernando to guide the
Havies in the face of a string of losses they had suffered. Larry
recalls arriving at practice at 4.30 pm and finding only 10 players with
others trickling in leisurely. One of the key Havies players, a superb
wing forward, was still in the club house apparently sulking over a
personal issue and not wanting to practice. Larry walks up to him and
asks him to attend practice, but the young man refuses.
Says Larry to him: you either bugger off or come right away! The
young man was on the field in a flash!
If I am creating an impression of an over-zealous Larry, it's simply
to drive home the point of discipline being integral to good team
performances.
Players smuggled home
So, here is another side of Larry: those were the Hartal days when a
curfew was in force commencing at 6 pm. Some of the team would stay at
the club house a bit longer to have a few drinks and Larry would say"
don't worry mates, I will take you all home". Some team members still
remember getting into the boot of Larry's car and being smuggled home by
the affable Army Doc!
When he returned to Sri Lanka from the UK and took over coaching of
the Havies from Stanley Liverea, Larry applied his learnings from the UK
rugby scene optimally. For instance he got Nimal Maralande the Havies
Stand off and Maurice de Silva the Centre to practice to near perfection
the 'scissor' with many a variation. One recalls that day when CH
Captain Peter Sawdy watching the duo quipping "we have got to watch
these rascals, they are dangerous!"
Larry the Ruggerite was a delight to watch in action. The occasion
was when the Havies beat CR & FC for the first time in the post war
years. It was a cliff hanger of a match played at the Police Park. What
clinched it for the Havies was a startling drop goal from 25 yard out by
scrum half Larry from the base of the scrum. Rarely then, and hardly
ever now, does a scrum half venture out with a successful drop goal!
First Ceylonese to London society
Larry the Referee also acquitted himself internationally. He was the
first Ceylonese to be admitted to the London Society of Rugby Football
which was headed by Sir Cyril Gadney. In later years, another Havies and
Sri Lanka cap C.H. Seneviratne was admitted to the prestigious London
Society.
The year 1967 was Larry's last year as Coach. The Havies team: W.
Koch, H. Galuge, brothers Jeff and Dan Rutnam as centers and Derrick
Munaweera and the star combination of Jupana Jayawardene and Glen
Vanlangenberg.
The forward were Jeyer Rodriguez, S. Joachim, Tyronne Holedenbottle,
Lucky Vitharane, L. Wijesinghe, I. Hamid, Noel Brohier, Gamini Fernando
and C. Ameresekera.
In a classic encounter against the CR, the Havies won 17-0. That was
the match when Larry's ploy of getting the Havies 'threes' to spread
themselves deep forced the defence to do likewise.
But it gave the Havies speedy 'line' the opportunity to pick the gaps
and score aided by the excellent combinations of Japana Jayawardene and
the irrepressible Glen Vanlangenberg and the coordination between the
Rutnam brothers both of whom scored tries.
No better tribute could have been paid to Larry and Yvonne Foenander
in their last tryst with the park club.
To contact Mohamed Muhsin: E-mail
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