Buddhika takes over Kandy forwards coaching role

By Shamseer Jaleel

Former Ruwanwella Central, Isipathana, CR & FC, Kandy SC and national player, Buddhika Thalagampola took over the defending league champions, Kandy Sports Club’s forwards coaching role for 2020/2021 rugby season, with a delayed start expected due to COVID-19. 

Buddhika who commenced his rugby career in Sabragamuwa, Ruwanwella Central moved to Isipathana College and represented the Under 19 outfit from 2000-2002. Later in his second year at school he got selected for the Junior Asiad which took place in Japan. He was under the leadership of Anura Walpola and Asanga Seneviratne was his head coach on tour. 

He also represented the senior outfit Rugby World Cup qualifier events in Thailand and India under George Simpkin. He also represented the national outfit at the 2004 Singer Sri Lanka International Rugby Sevens which took place at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium.

His club rugby career started in 2003 and he played for the Red Shirts for two years before crossing over to the more familiar Central Hills where he represented the Kandy Sports Club from 2005 to 2012 for eight long years. A player who can play either as a second row or flanker, he is a qualified World Rugby Level lI accredited coach who had short caching stint with Trinity College and Isipathana College before moving to the champion club in the hills. He will be under Head Coach, Fazil Marija.

Thalagampola told Daily FT: “I am excited to be part of the Kandy SC coaching unit which is a very good exposure in my career. I want to give my level best to the club which helped me to become a better player. I want to thank all the coaching staff who have helped me from my school career to come up to this standard in my rugby life. My ambition is to become a national forwards coach one day.”