St. Joseph’s College Colombo organised a gala event to felicitate their distinguished old boy Johann Peries for his achievement being the first man to summit the Mount Everest who was also the chief guest for the event ‘Virtue of Excellence’. The event also felicitated the yeomen services bestowed by their masters and teachers in-charge and [...]
St. Joseph’s College felicitates contributors to its successes in sports
The Virtue of Excellence
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St. Joseph’s College Colombo organised a gala event to felicitate their distinguished old boy Johann Peries for his achievement being the first man to summit the Mount Everest who was also the chief guest for the event ‘Virtue of Excellence’.
The coaching staffs and masters and teachers in-charge of sports with the school officials - Pix by Indika Handuwala
The event also felicitated the yeomen services bestowed by their masters and teachers in-charge and coaching staffs for the successes of the school’s recent sporting achievements. The event was held at the newly opened Sports Auditorium on Thursday evening.
The gala event was organised by the Sports Council of St. Joseph’s College and Johann Peries, the first Sri Lankan male to summit Mount Everest, graced the occasion as the chief guest. During his speech Peries outlined the importance of keeping up to the values of sportsmanship, despite himself not being an active sportsperson back in his schooldays at St. Joseph’s.
“It’s important to learn from each mistake and setback and transform those into valuable lessons that could make you into champions. When I had to stop just 400 metres away from the peak of Mount Everest in my first attempt, that gave me a desire and a challenge that I should somehow complete the mission, and I did. I think what St. Joseph’s have proved during the recent years in the sports arena proves that the school is in good shape and obviously in the future could achieve better if we learn from our mistakes,” Peries stated.
The titles St. Joseph’s College won during 2017 and 2018
Addressing at the event, The Chairman of the Sports Council thanked the coaches and the teachers and masters in-charge for the hard work done in achieving these milestones which signifies the commitment whilst having a balance life and upholding discipline.
Among the few notable achievements of St. Joseph’s College were their continuous success in swimming. The Joes have won All-Island Schools Swimming Championship for 15 years back-to-back.
In addition St. Joseph’s became champions in All-Island Under-19 two-day Cricket Tournament 2018, the Milo Under-19 President’s Knockout Rugby Tournament in 2017, the All-Island Under-15 and Under-17 Basketball Tournaments in 2017 and the All-Island Under-19 and Under-15 Football Tournaments.
Rev. Fr. Rector Travis Gabriel thanked the members of the sports council and the advisory committee for the active role, they have taken in achieving excellence.
Achievements and contributors
Swimming: Won the All-Island Swimming Championships for the 15th consecutive year which is incredible feet. The coaching staff was headed by Ruwan Manawadu with teacher-in-charge Malka Jayasinghe assisting.
Football: Last year and this year St. Joseph’s won both the Under-19 and Under-15 All-Island Championships. Coaches are Aruna Sampath, Dhammika Athukorala and Sathis Kumar. Teachers-in-charge are Ruwan Manjula and Jacintha Jayaganesh.
Cricket: This year St. Joseph’s won the All-Island Under-19 Two Day Cricket Tournament. The last time the college won an All-Island title was when the Limited Overs Tournament in 2011. Head Coach is Roger Wijesuriya and assistants are Michael Adams, Darantha Menerigama while Asiri Perera is the trainer. Master-in-charge is Prasantha Ranaweera.
Rugby: In 2017 won the Milo Under-19 Presidents Cup Knockout Tournament for the first time in the history of St Joseph’s rugby. This year the college ended up as runners-up of the Singer All-Island Schools Under-19 Division I Rugby League Championship. The school continued the successful run by entering the final of the Milo Under-19 Presidents Cup Knockout Tournament for the second year running. The coaching staff is headed by Nilfer Ibrahim and the assistants are Anurnga Walpola, Dev Anand and Dinesh Kumar. Master-in-charge is Prasantha Ranaweera.
Basketball: In 2017 St. Joseph’s won the All-Island Championship in the Under-15 and Under-17 age groups and were runners-up in the Under-19 age category. This year won the Under-15 All-Island Tournament. Coaches are Roshan Randima and Shane Daniel and trainer is Raghavan Roshan. The Master-in-charge is Asiri Caldera.
Athletics: In 2017 St. Joseph’s won the Sir John Tarbat Junior Athletic Meet after 10 years. Coaches are Dilruk Nilantha and Rathnakumara Warnakulasuriya. The Master-in-charge is Earley Prasanne.
Rowing: In 2017 St. Joseph’s won the Under-14 and Under-16 Schools Championships and were runners-up in the Under-18 age group. Coaches are Baasim Hassan and Nipuna Nakkawita. The Master-in-charge is Ruwan Manjula.
Boxing: In 2017 St. Joseph’s won the Overall Bronze Medal at the All-Island Championship. The coach cum master-in-charge is Rangana de Silva.
Badminton: In 2017 St. Joseph’s won the Under-18 All Island Division ‘B’ Championship and were promoted to take part in the Division ‘A’ in 2018. The coach is Pradeep Welagedara and the teacher-in-charge is Dinesha de Silva.
Tennis: In 2017 the St. Joseph’s Under-8 team emerged runners-up of Division ‘B’ Inter-Schools Tournament. The coach is Dinith Pathiraja and the teachers-in-charge are Maneesha Fernando and Surali Cooray.
Cadetting and Rifle Shooting: In 2017 the Junior Cadet Platoon was placed first in Rantabe and the Senior Cadets were placed first in the Colombo District events. The coach and Master-in-charge is Ruwan Balachandra.
Volleyball: In 2017 emerged Colombo District Zonal champions. The coach cum master-in-charge is Jude Dixon.
Johann Peries (centre) was presented a memento for his achievement by St. Joseph’s College Rector, Rev. Fr. Travis Gabriel
