Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Tuesday, 26 July 2022 02:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shamseer Jaleel
CR and FC is preparing to celebrate its centenary year commencing later this year. The centenary year celebratory events kick-off with the release of the club’s centenary coffee table book in September 2022.
The Red Shirts committee headed by former Royal skipper and national XV a side player, Ted Muttiah has planned a Rugby Sevens Tournament which is scheduled to take place in April 2023. This will be slotted between the famous Hong Kong Sevens and Singapore Sevens. It is intended that many Sri Lankan diaspora attending these two international events could then annex the trip to Sri Lanka for the club’s centenary sevens also.
Ted speaking to Daily FT said: “We have planned a number of events. The feasibility of hosting an International Sevens tournament with eight overseas and eight local club teams, both men’s and women’s is still being explored. In any case, it will either be an international Sevens or a local club tournament with a schools tournament also. We are hopeful that this opportunity between two international tournaments in the Asia region, would give players and rugby fans around the globe to visit and enjoy Sri Lanka.”
Ted speaking further said: “I am humbled by the CR membership’s confidence and honour bestowed upon me to continue the outstanding work of the respective general committees and illustrious predecessors before me. I am well supported by deputy president Tikiri Ellepola, vice presidents Savantha De Saram and Shanitha Fernando, general secretary Jakque Diasz, treasurer Dr. Ravi Edirisinghe and immediate past president Sriyan Cooray to form the executive committee.”
Ted ended by saying: “Many players have shown interest to join the red shirts in the season ahead. “We have professional discussions with any players who approach us. Players join our ranks on mutually agreed terms and a commitment to embrace the CR and FC values. Players today are professionals and money is an important consideration in their decision making of which club best suits their needs and interests.
“The new performance-based bonus system introduced at CR in 2022 and embraced by the playing group has been a catalyst for renewed wider interest of players to join us. We no longer entertain the unsustainable previous league-wide practice of paying a “sign-on bonus” with no leverage to the players performance during the season. Furthermore, CR has arrangements that enable young school leavers to enroll in higher education courses in preparation for life beyond rugby. There is a lot more emphasis on player welfare and well-being.
“These are what’s important to the players. Success on the field is a manifestation of how well the players feel about themselves and their perception of how the club feels about them. This is the key success factor.”
Former Isipathana and national player, Kavindu de Costa will lead the men’s outfit while Kanchana Kumari also a national representative will lead the Women’s team at the Inter Club Tournament during 2022/2023. Former Royal, Kandy SC and CR and FC player, Dushantha Lewke is the Head Coach of the Men’s unit while Sujani Ratnayake, current national assistant coach and manager will look after the women’s team. So far former Isipathana, Police SC player, Vageesha Weerasinghe and former Antonian, national and Kandy SC player, Danushka Dyan have indicated they will join the Longdon Place Club in the 2022/2023 rugby season.
The following are the events lined up which is subject to change in timing according to the situation in the country
2022
2023
