Aus-Lanka Cricket Academy tours Sri Lanka Sept. 21 to Oct. 3

The Aus-Lanka Cricket Academy (ALCA) - a leading coaching institute of Victoria, Australia are on a tour of Sri Lanka from September 21 to October 3.

ALCA VIPERS (Back row-left to right)- Rhett Martin, Atharva Powell, Akila Wasalge, Thomas Keyhoe, Ben Anderson, Chansika Kapukotuwa, Maziad Chazbek,Dev Jhamb (Front row-left to right)- Asela De Silva (Tour manager),Nathan Munasinghe,Triyan De Silva( V.captain), Manjula Munasinghe ( Tour Head coach) Ashane De Silva (Captain), Jay Jhamb, Rory Anderson (Team manager)

ALCA BIG CATS (Back row-left to right)- Eddie Fung, Michael Mandile, Kaveesh Jayasinhe , Mitch Arthur, Sachin Wasalage ,Rajeev Kumar, Gayan Malagalage. (Front row-left to right) Andrea Carmody (Team Manager), Shehan De Alwis, Dylan Carmody (Vice Captain), Damian Milano (Team coach), Chathura Kaluthanthri (Captain), Anuja Senadeera, Manjula Munasinghe (Tour Head coach)

ALCA is an unique institution established in 2005 by former International cricketer Ravi Ratnayake and Manjula Munasinghe to provide coaching and training at a professional degree with a view to achieve the highest training with a view and intent to achieve the highest standard for each and every student/player in all aspects of the game.

The academy was formed in a bid to extend the opportunity for players to improve, persist and keep focus on the game during and after the cricket season which is the main reason they are conducting coaching throughout the year. The training is conducted mainly indoors during off season. This provides the opportunity for the keen players to persevere in the sport and to keep practicing their skills. Munasinghe says he strongly believes practice throughout the year instead of being seasonal makes a huge difference in a player's performance and help them to achieve the highest level in any sport you do. Currently the Academy has a participation of over 100 players who attend weekly training at the Sandown Indoor Training Centre. The players are coached in small groups to provide effective development of skills and are grouped based on age and trained as under 11, 13, 15 and 17 years. The Academy organizes a number of games during the year to provide the opportunity for the players to develop their skills, build confidence and work in teams. All the players coached at the Academy play for local cricket clubs during the summer cricket season. In the last few years the academy has provided coaching for over 500 players and some of them have achieved great success in representing at district levels.

At the academy the organisers always strive for the best and try to expose their youngsters to the great cricketing heroes where possible. In the past they have been fortunate to have Sri Lanka's great cricketers like Muttiah Muralitharan, Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva, Nishantha Ranatunga and Upul Chandana visiting the academy and providing motivation to the boys.

In the future the organisers hoping to organize the visit of some of their local heroes to come and share their experience with the boys which will be a great motivation for the youngsters. This year, the organisers are taking 2 very talented teams (ALCA Vipers & ALCA Big Cats) selected from the academy. The purpose of organising these overseas Cricket tours is to provide the opportunity to expose players to playing cricket in different conditions and to give them a taste of what it is like to be an International class cricketer.

This is a learning curve for youngsters provided by experienced coaches and playing on test venues.

The players will have the opportunity to play four 50 over matches and one T20 match under the right guidance of an experienced/accredited coach.

The homesters will be battling it out with 2 academy teams (Sanath Jayasooriya Circket Academy and Angelo Matthews Cricket Acadmy), 1 school team (S.Thomas's College Mt.Lavinia) and 2 provincial sides.

It's going to be very challenging and a great life experience for the youngsters. As the head coach of the academy Munasinghe - the head coach is confident that he will be able to educate and guide the players to achieve the best of their abilities. The tour will also give the youngsters to the chance to experience the Sri Lankan culture and visit some historical places.

. Day 1- Saturday September 21st - Depart Melbourne at 2.30pm and Arrive in Colombo, Sri Lanka Saturday September 21st at 11.55pm. Travel to Beruwela

. Day 4- Tuesday September 24th - After breakfast proceed to Colombo - 3 nights @ Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel.

ALCA Big Cats Vs S. Thomas College XI - Moors Cricket Ground Braybrooke Place, Colombo.

ALCA Vipers Vs Sanath Jayasooriya Cricket Academy U13 - Colts Cricket Club Havelock Park, Colombo

. ALCA Big Cats Vs Sanath Jayasooriya Cricket Academy - NCC Cricket Club Maitland Place, Colombo

. Day 8- Saturday September 28th - Match Day 4, T20 match @ Rangiri Dambulu Stadium ALCA Vipers Vs North Central Province U13 in the morning.

. Day 9- Sunday September 29th - After breakfast Visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Travel back to Colombo

ALCA Vipers Vs Angelo Matthews Cricket Academy U13 - Moors Cricket Ground Braybrooke Place, Colombo

. ALCA Big Cats Vs Angelo Matthews Cricket Academy - CCC Cricket Club Maitland Place, Colombo

. Day 12 - Wednesday October 02nd - Morning Leisure Late Check out - Depart Colombo 12.55am (3rd Oct) via KL to Melbourne.