Poacher woes besets the Park Club
The Havies has been winning games constantly despite minor setbacks
In spite of the mass exodus of key players over the past two seasons, Havelocks Sports Club is unyielding in its continuous efforts of recruiting newcomers to club rugby from schools and making them household names. The Havelocks, as the 104-year-old club is well known by rugby lovers, may have lost closer to a dozen of star players for other clubs, but they do have the responsibility of giving rugby priority according to its Rugby Secretary, Roshan Opatha.
“We spend about two years to develop the young players and any club would begin to benefit the investment put on them after the second year. The main issue here is most players do not have that loyalty to clubs, except for a handful. Havelocks, as any other rugby club, or even slightly better than them, take care of the players, but players too should be loyal to the club they represent, though they have all the right to move away and join another place,” Opatha explained.
Over the past couple of years Havelocks has lost the cream of their talented players to other well known clubs of the country. From last season they have almost ten star players, two of them captains. In total they have lost closer to 20 players over the last three seasons to other clubs.
But Havelocks is better off doing what they are best at — giving opportunity to outgoing school talents and transforming them to become stars. But with the former transfer window, they easily lost those players too early where another comfortably enjoyed the benefits.
“But fortunately Havelocks have continued to nurture players straight from schools and we will continue that trend come what may. On the other hand players too should have some kind of loyalty to the club they represent. It’s not that easy for a club to develop a player straight from schools, in the recent years Havelocks has done that and when the players are offered better pay, they tend to move. That’s acceptable and part and parcel of the structure here. But still Havelocks have created players, given them the opportunity and exposure to reach the next level. The mismatch is, players, when they peak, go for better offers and as a club when do we get what we deserve. Every story has two sides, this is what we go through as a club,” Opatha laid out the onus a club go through.
However Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) has instructed clubs that player contracts should be signed for a minimum of three years. This, according to Opatha, gives Havelocks a ray of hope in sustaining players on the long run.
“The new regulation on contracts of players is really good. Havelocks is implementing it, so as a club we would be able to reasonably see our investments on players bear fruit and the players too will have time to develop more and think of their future.”
For the upcoming Dialog Rugby League season too, Havelocks has recruited a bunch of talented young players straight from schools and are eager to start off from where they ended last season — at third in the League Tournament. Another good news for them would be the fitness of six key players who sat out of the whole of the League Tournament last season. In addition they have their set of regulars with experience, who time to time have donned the national jersey.
“Adding to the list will be another six to eight players who have joined Havelocks from other clubs. This, in whole, will make us a strong outfit. We are not a club who can and will take star players to win a title, we cannot go to that level,” Opatha added.
Another aspect the club is eagerly awaiting to embrace is the Division ‘B’ tournament, which has no beginning or end, leave alone the flow of the competition. Only the armed forces are keenly following and competing the Division ‘B’ tournament while the top half or more have not much put their interest on it. Opatha was of the opinion that a lower scale tournament is a must and that would indirectly control the players from switching sides very often and easily.
“Division ‘B’ matches are nowhere, other than the forces all other clubs do not commit much on this. Most clubs concentrate on the top league. If there was a comprehensive Division ‘B’ tournament structure, clubs could benefit, no doubt. As a club Havelocks is highly interested in fielding a team in Division ‘B’, because it helps the top league and its players who are not in good shape. Havelocks is the only club in Colombo that plays only rugby, and we would definitely look at appearing in all possible tournaments that are on,” said Opatha.
Currently Havelocks are training to a structured schedule and plan with their set of newcomers, with the intention of topping the League Tournament. To add more icing to their efforts, Havelocks has a loyal membership, which has all the way created a different yet friendly and comfortable atmosphere to its players. Players may come and go, says Opatha, but the most devoted ones have remained with them at good times and at bad time.
“We are liable to our members and we have a tradition. They all want us to do the right thing and keep on winning. We have a good coaching staff, a good support staff and above all loyal members and fans, who are willingly supporting the side. We are currently training, leaving the past, efforts and attempts that went by. Havelocks is a club with a different atmosphere. Any player who had played at least a match, would feel the difference once they are no longer with the club. The culture and surroundings here is really friendly and supportive to players. To sustain the players, it’s not that easy unless players feel here at home. We, as a club with a history of 104 years, do whatever that is possible to make the players comfortable, we want them to enjoy the game and win. As a club we enjoy the sport very much, and we do not intend to fall into a more ‘moneyed and commercialised ‘ category of the sport,” Opatha said in conclusion.