Gamini Fernando - a real team man at Havelocks Sports Club

By Hafiz Marikar

Rugby Star of yesteryear - Gamini A. Fernando was one of the finest forwards we have seen on the rugby field. He has the unique achievement of being a member of a Clifford Cup wining team on his debut in club rugby, in his first year as the captain and later as coach of his favourite club Havelock Sports Club.

Gamini was a top class player, coach, referee and rugby administrator, rugby lover and promoter. Known in the rugby 'circle' as Gama, was a outstanding flanker during his playing days, he also had the rare distinction of having handled the whistle in the match between the French University and London RF team in 1979, the first time two Europeans teams played in Sri Lanka.

He is a product of Trinity College, where he excelled in Rugger and Cricket. He played for Trinity in 1958 under Ken de Joodt and 1959 under Denzil Kobbekaduwa, his teammates were M. Talwatte, A.R.M. Azain, E.D.K. Roles, and P.A. Bultjens Jnr., S. Janikram, Ken Murray, Jayantissa Ratwatte, T.P. Hermon, Jayantha Jayawardene, S.C. de Silva, T.N. Chunchi, R. Madena, R.W. Madugalle and R.R. Samarakoon.

That is the year Royal won the first leg of the Bradby 5-0 and Trinity won the 'second leg' 6-0. The 'first leg' was refereed by Mahes Rodrigo and the 'second' by V.S. de Livera.

In 1956, when Trinity introduced the under 17 rugger, he was in that first team and also played in the following year (1957). As a second row forward, he gave of his best for the senor team. He won his rugby colours in 1959. During Gam's school days only five schools played the game and the standards were of high quality.

He was also a fine cricketer, and played along with P.S. Jayasinghe, C.V.I. Kodithuwaku, S.M. Weerasinghe. He was a fine stroke maker and made a solid 61 against Zahira College in 1960, in which he had seven well timed hits to the fence and two over it.

In 1961 he went down to Colombo, along with his friend Y.C. Chang, and both turned out for Havelock Sports Club.

He played as flank forward and led the club in 1967 and prematurely 'hung' his boots in 1969. But his good friend had to move form Park Club, after he took over planting.

Gama represented Low-Country and All-Ceylon in the All India Tournament in 1966 and 1967 and also played for the country against the English Defence Services team. But during his playing days, visits by international sides were few and far between.

Gama, was a fine team man, a fearless tackler and a gentleman player. As a coach, he always taught the players to enjoy themselves and play good, clean, hard rugger. He coached his favourite club Havelock Sports Club and at a certain time was helping Police SC, in 1980 on an invitation from Anton Benedict. He was the national coach in 1978 _ the year Irwin Howie led the country and also in 1979.

He always instilled the principle that if they can say after a match "I had a nice time on the field, that's enough. During his coaching time he had always received good encouragement from the players. Fernando's biggest disappointment was in 1969 where he had to make his mind. Gama was selected to play in the All India Tournament, but he was disqualified subsequently on medical grounds, though the Rugby Union Doctor L.P.D. Gunawardene passed him fit. The irony of it all was that they took a hooker as his replacement. That put him down badly.

Gama has helped many ruggerites, I can remember when in the 1970's Kandy Sports Club players used to go for trials, Gama used to help them to stay in Colombo, one such person who gained was Kandy SC's Nimal Malagamuwa.

After giving up playing, he took up refereeing. He has 'blown' in several games at school and club level. And in 1975 was his first Cup final. He is one of the Life Members and patrons at Havelock Sports Club and also one time President, and headed the SLRFU in 1995/96.

He still gives his fullest support to his Club, Havelock Sports Club. He can be seen at matches and whatever Havies do, he is there.