Isipathana College without a ground of their own has won their rights to the gate money for their home matches.
Their rights were threatened by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) who was reported to lay claim to the gate collection from matches in the second round knock-out stage which would have deprived schools like Isipathana to rake in their much needed funds to sustain their rugby team for the season.
The SLSRFA has not been supportive of schools like Isipathana and many other schools but in a high handed act attempted to take in the gate money of schools in the knock-out second round. Even leading schools like Royal College and St. Peter’s College who have their own grounds objected to the SLSRFA playing foul by taking the gate money of schools in the second round.
The SLSRFA denied they attempted to take gate money from the second round matches which they said should be played at neutral and claimed they were only keen on promoting rugby and ensuring fair-play among all teams.
An official of Isipathana rugby told the Sunday Observer the school had received a Circular from the SLSRFA doing a U-turn following objections from the schools. Most schools including Isipathana depend on sponsors and gate money to fund their rugby for the season.
Meanwhile, Isipathana has managed to attract several sponsors to support their rugby this season. Their main sponsor is NKar Travels that is managed by an old boy of the school.
There are many other co-sponsors such as KFC, platinum sponsor is Ultrateck (Cement), Siddhalepa, KOKO Kiddies, Dialog, Prima Kottu Mee, GS9 for their clothing, Montrela Consultants, Fly Southern, Pearl Beach and Gold the grooming partner.
Since beginning to play rugby in 1963 Isipathana only played against second string teams of other schools but two years later they graduated to play against the elites.
Up to now they have won more than 60 trophies in total.
The school was first known as Greenlands College which began functioning in the early 1950s and there was an English teacher Miss Geddes who is known to have had the desire to introduce rugby to the College. She was a rugby fanatic as her husband was a Trinity College Lion and had played rugby at a high level. Her two sons were also studying at Isipathana but later moved over to Trinity and represented the school in rugby.
Somehow, the masters at Isipathana called for the students who wished to play rugby to turn up for practices at the adjoining ground at Havelock Sports Club. The boys took a fancy to watching rugby matches at Havelocks and there was no need for any added motivation.
The first team of Greenlands College was led by Randy Keller, whose father played for Havelocks. The team also included a scrum half in Randy Pieters who went on to play for Havelocks and was the first Isipathanian to represent the Sri Lanka team.
From that point onwards Isipathana rugby never looked back with the first captain in Ananda Saranapala leading the way. Isipathana coached by Frankie David began a remarkable four-year run without conceding defeat. The team was led by Juragan Savangham and later by his younger brother Thajone Savangham continuing their winning streak.
Many talented players from Isipathana have gone on to represent clubs and the Sri Lanka team and became the school to have produced the most number of players to represent clubs while some 82 players have been in the Sri Lanka team. Many of the past players have become reputed coaches and referees.
This year Isipathana is led by third year coloursman Nisaja Jayaweera and his deputy is Shaahid Zumri and comprises nine Coloursmen.
They will be looking forward to the much awaited encounter with Trinity College that has not been played for the past five years.
This team is coached by former Sri Lanka player Saliya Kumara and Danushka Boteju.
Remaining fixtures are:
July 6: vs S. Thomas’ at (home)
July 13: vs Trinity at (home)
July 21: vs DSS (away)
July 27: vs St. Anthony’s (away)
Isipathana Squad:
Nisaja Jayaweera (Captain), Shaahid Zumri (V-Captain), Tehan Ranaweera, Dinada Wickramaarachchi, Kaveen Tharusha, Geshandu Bentotage, Lasitha Nilupul, Abdullah Faizer, Kalindu Silva, Kenula Mihisara, Lahiru Sandeepa, Adithya Madushan, Sethum Rajapakse, Samiru Disas, Sithupa Bometh, Abdul Ahmed, Avishka Hiran, Kaveed Geeththma, Thrinethra Dodangoda, Shevin Danidu, Demitha Wijesekara, Keveen Irosh, Abdul Azeez, Nimantha Sandeepa, Naveed Thahir, Shaakib Zumri, Sajid Samsudeen, Nevith Meunaka, Rismy Jafrad, Chirath Silva, Sanija Sanuth, Eshan Hansamall, Lithuka Mansilu, Thenuka Dewnitha, Methupa Bimsath
By – TB Rahaman ( Sunday Observer )