Havelocks partner with FlyHiSports to launch Rugby Academy with international flavour
View(s):Havelocks Sports Club launched a fully-pledged rugby academy in partnership with FlyHiSports, an Australian based business entity, to develop the sport in Sri Lanka. The launch took place last week at the Havelock Sports Club premises.
Named FlyHiSports Rugby Academy,
Sri Lanka’s first internationally collaborated rugby academy will provide opportunities for the youth to develop their potential through sport.
The participants at the academy will learn the technical, strategic, and tactical aspects of the game to help achieve their sporting or recreational aspirations.
Cedric Anthony (2nd from left), the Co-Founder of FlyHiSports, Rajiv Perera, (centre), the President of Havelocks Sports Club and Kruger Roche (3rd from right), the High Performance Director of FlyHiSports, revealing the official jersey of FlyHiSports Rugby Academy. Others in the picture are (from left) Thushan Peiris (Director), Dr. Nirmal de Silva (Consultant) and Alex Nishantha Chanaka (Manager) of FlyHiSports RA
This internationally benchmarked programme will also help participants develop essential skills like leadership, teamwork, communication, and resilience, which are much needed in today’s dynamic world. The academy also assures parents and participants a fun, safe, and engaging environment.
“As a Sri Lankan by origin and having lived in Australia for a significant period of time, I am cognizant of the ‘Australian Model’ of sports administration and junior development. It has been my dream to replicate some of these best practices to help Sri Lankan youth,” said Cedric Antony, the co-founder of FlyHiSports Rugby Academy.
“In this pursuit, partnering with Havelocks Sports Club, a premier club in the local rugby arena, to set up an international rugby academy was an easy choice. Our difference is that we will be working with a world class panel of international and local rugby coaches to deliver an internationally benchmarked programme. The facilities and infrastructure will be the best in the country, and our focus is to create a positive impact on society through sport as opposed to mere commercial objectives,” Antony, who pioneered in introducing indoor cricket to
Sri Lanka in early 2000s, added.
“As a club with a rich tradition and unparalleled history spanning over 109 years, we are extremely pleased to collaborate with FlyHiSports in launching
Sri Lanka’s first internationally collaborated rugby academy. We, as a club, have always been focused on developing the sport and providing opportunities to talented individuals. Hence, we are confident that this academy will benefit the youth of this country tremendously to reach their full potential,” Rajiv Perera, the President of Havelocks Sports Club, speaking at the launch, stated.
Globally recognised rugby coach, Kruger Roach, will serve as the Head of Coaching at FlyHiSports Rugby Academy, which promises a comprehensive growth plan for youngsters as well as rugby coaches of Sri Lanka. The academy intends to draw the Under-10s and Under-12s in the initiative, and plans to expand their age categories as seasons pass by. FlyHiSports Rugby Academy will have a panel of over 30 coaches, who will work under Roach.
Roach stated that he is looking forward to imparting his years of international experience in developing players from the grassroots to the national level so that Sri Lankan youth can develop their skills and be empowered. He said that the standard of local coaches would also be inevitably improved through this coaching programme, which will derive immense benefit to the sport in general.
“As we all are aware, Sri Lanka has its own flavour when it comes to rugby, just like Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. There are areas they lack, such as the technical expertise and the adoption of new age technology, which we intend to add through our academy,” explained Roach.
The academy is an affiliate entity of FlyHiSports, a Melbourne-based brand that commenced its business operations in 2013, catering to the competitive sports and activewear market. Today, the company has grown to become a reputed brand that is well-known in the Asia Pacific region, especially in Australia and New Zealand, where their products are much sought after.
The FlyHiSports Rugby Academy also plans to provide scholarships to deserving youth in the country, keeping in line with its impact-driven operating philosophy. The academy invites parents and the youth to join and make use of this academy irrespective of their school or club affiliation so that they can learn and enjoy the finer points of the game and life through an international standard programme.