I wish to refresh the memory of Mr. Emmanuel (whose letter ‘Whither St. Peter’s sports? ’ appeared in last week’s Readers Forum ) that even at that era (35 years back) SPC had boys joining College from other schools and excelling in Rugby and other sports. Best example that I could give is, 1973 Champion SPC Rugby side that was led by Rohan Weerathunga having his younger brother Nalin (who was my class mate) joining from St. Anthony’s College, Kandy.
 Rohan went on to captain the Sri Lanka School side. Also, when I was in the A.L. Class we got a superb Winger called Rienzi (I cannot remember his surname) crossing from Thurstan College. All this took place in the era of that legend Mr. Arcibald Perera’s time. From SPC too, we lost a few players at that time who joined other schools. Payers like Michel Jayasekera and David Nicole both of them joined STC, Mt. Lavinia.
Then how about, Stewert Wright joining Trinity College from SPC. Not only in Rugby, even in Cricket, the present SPC coach ( who coached the team to win against Joes after 32 years) Keerthi Gunaratne who was my classmate in the A.L. form joined SPC from De LaSalle College, Mutuwal, after which he went to the extent of representing the National Team.
The SPC 1974 captain, Ruwan Jayaweera joined our class (A.L.) from Royal College. From where did the famous Savanghan brothers join Isipathana in the 60’s? Mr. Emmanuel these are part and parcel of the game now as it was even then.
Mr. Emmanuel, I have to quote from the bible, as Jesus Christ said “He that has no sin let him cast the first stone. Likewise, can you get any school to put up their hands and say “We have not taken a single player from any other school at any time”.
No way, every school in the big league is doing the same. If I quote a leading Rugby playing school from Havelock Town got some “outsiders” from various schools including a boy from SPC. You had written about Isipathana Match banner, from where did they have their last year captain who went on to captain Sri Lanka youth side. This is all rubbish. When they cannot stomach the success of SPC they come out with these lame excuses. To prove this, I like to mention here, when SPC virtually had the same side with these “outsiders” last year and when we ended up sixth position in the league table no one put banners or uttered anything. Now people have started to cast stones at us while they stay in glass houses.
At any given time SPC did not get these players under duress or by bribing them. They came to our school on their own accord with proper procedure. (Getting the release letters from their respective Principals). Remember, these boys did not come from schools where they had all the necessary skills etc. They were like rough Diamonds. SPC gave them the much needed Cut and Polish to give them that glitter. Today some of these boys (who left SPC after playing) are doing very well. So, you could take it as yeoman service that we do to the society and in large to Sri Lanka Rugby.
St. Peter’s College had looked after these boys in their health, employment even after leaving the school. The College had offered overseas scholarships to make their life a success.
I am sure the general public of Sri Lanka are aware of the schools had disputes, some even went to courts year after year and as a true old boy of SPC I am proud to say my school did not have any kind of such things happening in our rich history of Rugby which goes back to over 75 years.
Finally may I come back to the Coach and the “ignorant rugby committee members”, as Emanuel calls them? The match that you witnessed in Kandy was played on 1st May, 2010. The said Coach and some of these committee members were in Kandy with the team from 28th April, 2010 (Poya Day). Mr. Emmanuel this is the difference then and now. Those days for a Rugby Match in Kandy our Team leaves College on the day of the match. Now the boys put up at a three star hotel, with three days prior to the match having practice sessions in the same conditions where the match is to be played. I could proudly say SPC got the best, most dedicated commuted head coach that other schools envy, waiting to grab him at a higher price. He’s the man who turned a new page in SPC Rugby History. Mr. Emanuel if you need the correct picture, please speak to the people concerned after a match where you could really enjoy the rest of the evening. Most of the Peterites are trying to trace this “Ray Emmanuel” (unless he was known in College by some other name).
Ayantha Panditharatne
(Old boy at SPC from 1963 to
1976 OBU Membership NO: P 151) |
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