Bens Rugby set tone with long term plan
View(s):With that ambition set, St. Benedict’s College launched their rugby season at a ceremony held at the Rock House Army Camp, which covered many aspects of their campaign to the upcoming season. At the event, organised by the Bens Rugby Wing, school and team officials revealed their motives for the season, while acknowledging the support of their generous sponsors who had come forward to aid the school’s rugby team for this season.
Mobil and 3M will be the platinum sponsors of Bens rugby 2024
“It is an upheaving task for a school to maintain academic and other activities such of extracurricular and co-curricular. The topmost importance at St. Benedict’s is to teach each of its students to maintain discipline at the highest level, and what follows next will itself help them become well respected individuals, be it in the academic or sporting fields. The college is thankful to its distinguished old boys, and those at Bens Rugby Wing, and more importantly the sponsors who have stepped forward to support St. Benedict’s rugby this season,” noted the Director of St. Benedict’s, Rev. Bro. Dr. Pubudu Rajapaksha.
Founded as the Roman Catholic Seminary at Wolvendhall Street in 1839, the school was relocated at its current premises in 1868 while being renamed as St. Benedict’s College. The famous school from Kotahena boasts of its rich history and achievements in football, athletics, basketball and cricket, but equally they are keen to reach the same heights in rugby as well.
Bloomax, a co-sponsor
The Rugby Wing of St. Benedict’s, under the leadership of Suresh Perera, a former Bens rugby player, along with the school administration, have made plans to transform rugby at St. Benedict’s with short term and long term plans and goals.
“Our intention is to remain in this segment for a while, and establish ourselves to face the challenges in the upper tier in a few years. We have moved up to the top and returned to where we are now quite a few times, but when we reach the next level next time, our intention is to stay there as one of the top contenders. Without a comprehensive and longsighted plan, we know that it’s not achievable, but we have made the initial layouts, which in return will make St. Benedict’s a stronger team in the top division within a few seasons,” explained Suresh Perera, the President of Bens Rugby Wing.
ECD Global is one of the co-sponsors
St. Benedict’s have secured the generous sponsorship of McLarens Holdings, who are the local agents for Mobil and 3M as their first ever platinum sponsor. In addition ECD Global, Bloomax and Prima have stepped in as co-sponsors. In addition, the school has the generous support of their old boys from different fields, with Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin, a proven educationalist and an administrator, coming in as an advisor and mentor to Bens Rugby Wing to set the path fir further development of rugby and its standards across all age groups.
This season St. Benedict’s will be led by scrumhalf Gavin Wijerathne, while he will be assisted by vice captains Savindu Adeesha Wijerathne, and Rochesten Francis. The coaching staff is led by Dishantha Priyadarshana as head coach, with M.M.G. Iddamalgoda coming in as the backs coach and Parakkrama Ratnayake functioning as forwards coach. Kapila Munasighe has been appointed as the trainer with Buddhika Priyankara coming in as the physio. The team is managed by Damitha Perera, who is the master in-charge.
ECD Global is one of the co-sponsors
| St. Benedict’s Fixtures for 2024 | |
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| St. Benedict’s rugby squad | |
| Roshel Lakshan, Sahan Amarasinghe, Melanga Jayawardana, Kevin Wickramasinghe, Priyadarshana Fernando, Rukshan Dissanayake, Umesh Aloka, Oshada Fernando, Gavin Wijerathne (Captain), Savindu Adeesha Wijerathne (VC), Induwara Fonseka, Rochesten Francis (VC) A.P.J Seneviratne, Shalon Seneviratne, Eranga Nirmana, Devpriya Fernando, Bihen Tennakoon, Bilshan Fernando, Ahmed Maadih, Pasan Rathnasiri, Dilshan Perera, Kevin Kannangara, Adeesha Fernando, Themiya Amarasinghe, Nadeesha Silva, Dimantha Perera, Maduranga Fernando, Ishen Rasie, Sashmika Perera, U.K. Harisri |