Sabaragamuwa Stallions and Security Forces - Jaffna conduct rugby workshop

by Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

The Sabaragamuwa Stallions together with the Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna organised a rugby workshop recently at the Duraiappa Stadium Jaffna. Over 80 students from 7 schools; including Manipai College, Central College Jaffna, St. Patrick's College, St. Anthony's College Jaffna, St. John's College Jaffna, Chavakachcheri Hindu College and St. Joseph's College Jaffna participated in this session. Additionally, a workshop was also conducted for the coaches of these schools with the intent of raising the standard of rugby while improving their coaching skills.

The sessions conducted comprised both classroom sessions that addressed the technical aspects of rugby while the field sessions focused on skills development. The sessions were conducted under the guidance of veteran coach Tony Amit with the assistance of Shantha Dharmarathne the junior rugby coach of Zahira College.

Beginning his career in Rugby at Zahira College in Colombo, Tony went on to Captain the Zahira College team and CH & FC. Subsequently he played for the Sri Lanka National Rugby Team and also functioned as the national coach for the Sri Lankan rugby team that won numerous international titles, including four cups; namely in Taiwan, Fiji Sevens, Cargills Sevens in Sri Lanka and Alain in Dubai.

Further, he was also an Assessor Evaluator for IRB and World Cup qualifying rounds and functioned as a Match Commissioner for the World Cup qualifying round.

Tony is a qualified referee both locally and internationally and was the President of the Sri Lanka Referees Society and the Asian Referees Society.

Unique program for students

Speaking at the event in Jaffna, Waruna de Silva, Director Operations of the Sabaragamuwa Stallions mentioned that workshop was conducted on the request of Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe of the Security Forces Headquarters in Jaffna. He mentioned that together, they felt that a unique programme of this nature will give students an opportunity to understand the benefits of sports and how it adds value and enriches a student's life. Under the guidance of Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, the event was organised with the assistance of the Commanding Officer 23rd Gajaba Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Aruna Wijekoon.

This is the second such event organised by the Sabaragamuwa Stallions this year. A similar event was also held at S. Thomas' Collage, Mt. Lavinia in June this year, where the junior rugby players of the school got the opportunity to meet the four All Blacks players who represented the Sabaragamuwa Stallions at the Carlton Rugby Seven's. In an unforgettable field session organised by the Stallions, where the students got the opportunity to practice and train with Jack Wilson, Mark Jackman, Bryce Heem and Johnathan Malo who served as 7's players for New Zealand this year.

As one of the founding franchises of the Carlton Super Seven's, Sabaragamuwa Stallions embarked on this initiative that will foster Sri Lankan sports and enable schoolchildren to learn the spirit of fair-play, team work and togetherness.

The Carlton Super Sevens Rugby Tournament is a national level endeavour that has been carried out since 2011 by 'Tharunyata Hetak', under the patronage of Member of Parliament, Namal Rajapaksa. This workshop is also in line with the vision of 'Tharunyata Hetak' for the general progress of humanity and its aspiration to create a common national identity and embrace the best global integration that can be offered.

Sabaragamuwa Stallions is managed by NSports; a national franchise of Sri Lanka's elite rugby 7's competition, Carlton Rugby 7's. The franchise is owned by Nimal Perera who is the Managing Director of Royal Ceramics, Chairman of Pan Asia Bank and Deputy Chairman of Vallibel One. For more information or images contact the Sabragamuwa Stallions via email at [email protected]