“It has been my dream for a long time to open a rugby academy. I had the ability to train two boys for six months fresh out of school and they more or less went straight into the national team. Thus I thought to myself there was so much I could do if I established an academy. As soon as I started the project the requests that came in were so varied that I decided to make the academy in to a finishing school as well,” said former Captain and Sri Lanka rugby legend Hisham Abdeen.

Hisham Abdeen

Abdeen’s dream has come true and his academy cum finishing school will officially open its doors on January 10 at the Havelocks Sports Club.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Abdeen added: “I have about five to six coaches working with me and we will be conducting classes on Saturdays from 7.30am till 9 and depending on the player’s needs we will have classes on Sunday as well. Initially my idea was to train youngsters from the age of 8 to 15. But I had to change my plan because I got numerous requests from players over the age of 20 as well. Hence the reason why the academy also became a finishing school.”

“Basically it will be one on one training catering specifically for the respective player’s needs. Each position in rugby requires both basic and specialized skills and that is what we will be focusing on. In addition if I find that player who is playing as a second is better suited to be flanker for example, I would advise and coach that player accordingly.

We have also tied with a reputed weight training centre and we will be offering all our students that facility as well. In a nutshell we will be teaching the players the A to Z of rugby and my goal is that every player who leaves the academy will be capable of representing the national team,” said Abdeen.

Added Abdeen in conclusion; “many people have told me that an academy such as this is essential and the amount of students who have registered since we officially launched on December 17 is very encouraging. Thus let us just hope for the best and be assured that the students will get the best coaching as I am doing this to help Sri Lankan rugby.”