St. Anthony's College, Wattala which was founded in 1942 and governed by Catholic priests maintained a good record in academic and sports, above all in discipline. Though the school was managed by the priests it blossomed to become a dominant force in schools sports arena during a short period.
The school was built around a small plot of land in Wattala and just over 100 students studied with five brothers managing the day to day activities. As years went by the well reputed boys' school was taken under the control of the government in 1961. St. Anthony's was converted into a national school in 1986 but since the management went out of hands from the De La Salle brothers, the once renowned school is again thriving to make its name in sports.

"When the school's control was taken over from the priests nearly 50 years ago the reputation it had as a balanced institution, gradually decreased. Making it a national school in 1986 hardly helped the institution but after the management was handed back to the brothers, St. Anthony's is gradually making its way to the top. But we do experience major setbacks," said the Principal, Rev. Father Mal Warnashantha Fernando.

St. Anthony's has made a name in cricket, which is an obvious favourite among the 3200 boys of the school. But the school from the outskirts of Colombo is also steadily making its name at other sports such as football, basketball, elle, rugby, swimming, karate, judo, gymnastics, chess, tennis, athletics and the newly introduced baseball. Apart from nearly 14 sports, it also maintains a high caliber at extra curricular activities. Nearly 15 active clubs and societies prove the fact to be correct.

The school is situated on a territory of nine acres but according to Rev. Fr. Fernando only three out of the entire land has been used for buildings and academic purposes. The remaining six acres has been reserved for a large ground which will be the largest in the area. But the ground is not in a good condition for the usage of its sportsmen.

"We do have talent that we can be proud of despite most of them coming from middle or low class families. Most of them are from broken families. Though St. Anthony's is a Catholic school it has students from all religions. As the head Principal I have made it compulsory to all students to at least obtain a certificate from sports when they leave school. They don't see the importance of engaging at extra curricular activities but the interest of these children is great. They all make use of the ground which is the biggest in the area though it's not at its best condition".

Apart from the school's main sport cricket, the ground is been used for football, rugby, athletics, elle and baseball. The ground also facilitates zonal and district athletic and sports competitions. In addition the school has a basketball court, though not in good shape, and a clay tennis court, that was constructed with the aid of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association.

"Baseball was introduced to St. Anthony's about a year ago. Though we are engaged in many sports very seldom have we produced a national player. We knew with baseball we could reach the top level. Within six months our team reached the top division. One of our players was selected to the under-19 national team that toured Malaysia recently. Our basketball team was very strong during the early days but recently the level was not maintained. We are making a gradual comeback in basketball again. At the same time we can be happy with the performances of our swimmers and athletes who are eager to perform well," he added.

According to the school officials most of the staff which consists of 129 teachers lacks the charismatic value of contributing to sports' administrative activities. The entire activities of sport are overlooked by the enthusiastic Rev. Fr. Krushan Kumar Perera who is the Prefect of Games. Most sports are maintained with the contributions of its past pupils who willingly support each game in whatever way they could.
"Apart from cricket we got old boys of the school who voluntarily make their contributions as coaches at basketball, baseball, tennis and in many other sports. Now we see a very thick bond by the old boys who come in to help their alma mater. They got together and donated a bus to the school which was badly needed. But they come in different groups and if we could flock them together St. Anthony's could form a strong OBA," said Rev. Fr. Perera.

At the same time of promoting themselves in sports, St. Anthony's is hoping to make its facilities available for outsiders who are looking for a venue to hold their sporting events. Rev. Fr. Fernando who is making a great effort to help St. Anthony's win back its golden days is hoping to see the school reach great heights.

"To enhance our facilities further we are hoping to promote our basketball and tennis courts in addition to the ground which has the capability of a capacity of a 400 meter track and a separate 110 meter track. The ground had a turf wicket but now the state is, it is not up to the required standard. We hope to upgrade the ground to a fully-fledged sports complex but right now we need a lot of support. We have approached private firms and sponsors to seek help but nothing has come in our favour. We need the help of old boys, outsiders and well-wishers to make St. Anthony's a dominant force in all fields," Rev. Fr. Perera added.

Parents whose children are engaged at sports are giving their utmost support to the activities according to the officials. But many parents who are not very keen on sports stop their children from participating in sports activities which Rev. Fr. Perera noted was a major blow to the growth of the school. In addition the school's budding talent, especially the cricketers are hunted by popular schools who spotlight the lack of a turf ground as a setback to the targeted cricketers. But the authorities of St. Anthony's are of the view that the school is no longer a feeder to the top.

"We are not an emerging school to be precise. There was a time when we approved such transitions. Chaminda Vaas and Thissara Perera are two names that went out from the school but then it was understood. But now the situation is improving and grabbing our players will only hinder our progress," he said.

"During the olden days the brothers who controlled the school were highly focused in maintaining a high degree of discipline. So they conducted a parliamentary system to elect the leaders among schoolboys. The elected parliament has had ministers who were elected schoolboys to oversee different areas and subjects pertaining to matters of academic, sports and discipline. With the change of control these kinds of activities were not exercised."

"But the Ministry of Education has now officially made it necessary to conduct a parliament at all schools. For St. Anthony's it was not a strange activity, we are glad to perform something we were accustomed to after nearly four decades. It gives us the encouragement to reminise the practices our forefathers' practiced. We are certain the glory days will be back with us very soon. We are sure we can make St. Anthony's a popular and well respected school in five years time," Rev. Frs. Fernando and Perera affirmed.

- Naushad Amit
(Pix by Sanka Vidanagama)