Centenary netball encounter between Ladies’ College Colombo and Girls’ High School Kandy

Ladies’ College Team

Seated (from left):  Sports Coordinator Sandeepa Wijayanthi, Head Coach Tekla Priyadarshani, Vice Captain Tasara Fernando, Principal Deepika Dassenaike, Captain Adhithi Gunasekera, Vice Principal Ranmalee Balasooriya, Vice Captain Amna Samad, Assistant Coach Sanduni Bollegala, Teacher In-Charge Malithi Paranagamage, Sports Consultant Dilko Samaranayaka 

Standing (from left): Minnelle De Fonseka, Nashaya Silva, Tyra Jayaratne, Kayela Mendis, Thinuri Vithanage, Anindhiya Welagedara, Sitharaah Zuhair, Mahiroo Balasooriya, Taliya De Fonseka

 

Girls’ High School – Kandy Team

Seated (from left): Teacher In-Charge D.M.S. Priyadarshani, Prefect of Games C.M. Gangoda, Principal R.P. Edirisinghe, Assistant Principal Samantha Kumari, Teacher In-Charge G.G.C. Piyathilaka

Standing (from left): Nethya Gangodawatte, Tarini Abeyrathne, Amavi Amaranayake, Thisuni Wijerathne, Pulara Athauda, Yunara Bogahalanda, Meenu Dissanayake, Senuri Kasturiarachchi, Thenali Hewage, Tharuka Senevirathne, Ruwanthi Tashmika, Teshani Jayasundara

On 1 February 2025, Ladies’ College, Colombo, and Girls’ High School, Kandy, will come together to celebrate a remarkable milestone—the 100th anniversary of their historic netball encounter. This centenary match, to be held at the Ladies’ College Sports Ground, symbolises not only a century of sporting camaraderie and competition between these two prestigious institutions but also the broader history of netball in Sri Lanka. Additionally, this event marks the official start of the 125th anniversary celebrations of Ladies’ College, further elevating its significance.

The roots of netball in Sri Lanka trace back to 1921, when Jenny Green (née Calverly), a visionary school teacher at Girls’ High School, Kandy, introduced the sport to the country. By 1925, the first ever netball encounter between two schools in Sri Lanka was held in February between Girls’ High School Kandy and Ladies’ College Colombo. This pioneering event laid the foundation for a long-standing tradition of school-based netball competition in Sri Lanka, and it is this historic match that we honour with the centenary celebration in 2025. Both. Jenny Green and Gwen Opie, the Principal of Ladies’ College at the time of the first encounter, are recognised for their key roles in fostering the growth of the sport across the island.

The match between Ladies’ College and Girls’ High School Kandy is not merely a sporting contest but a reflection of a rich tradition that has shaped netball’s evolution in Sri Lanka over the past century.

To mark the 100th anniversary, the netball encounter will be renamed the Gwen Opie Memorial Challenge Shield, in honour of Gwen Opie, who was the Principal of Ladies’ College when the first encounter was held in 1925. Opie’s dedication to promoting sports at Ladies’ College and her instrumental role in establishing this landmark fixture between the two schools is a legacy that continues to resonate in thenetball community today. The Gwen Opie Memorial Challenge Shield will now serve as a fitting tribute to her invaluable contribution to the sport.

Guest of Honour: Tamara Dharmakirti-Herath

The guest of honour for the Centenary Netball Encounter is Tamara Dharmakirti-Herath, a prominent Old Girl of Ladies’ College, a distinguished sportswoman, and leader in sports administration. A former national-level athlete, Dharmakirti-Herath represented Sri Lanka in both netball and hockey, excelling in athletics, tennis, and hockey at school, where she received school colours for all these sports. Her athletic achievements are matched by her exceptional contributions to the administration of sport in Sri Lanka.

In 2000, Dharmakirti-Herath was recognised with an International Olympic Award for her efforts in advancing women’s participation in sport. She was also the first Sri Lankan woman to be appointed to the International Federation of Netball Associations and served as President of the Asian Netball Federation. Additionally, she was the President of the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka from 1996 to 2004 and again from 2005 to 2006. Furthermore, she has been actively involved with the Asian Olympic Council’s Women’s Committee, the National Sports Council, and the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, holding key leadership roles that have significantly shaped the development of sport in Sri Lanka.

Beyond her sporting achievements, Dharmakirti-Herath has also had a distinguished professional career in the financial services sector, holding senior positions, including Chief Executive Officer, and contributing to the establishment of two non-banking financial institutions in Sri Lanka. She currently serves as Chairperson of Alliance Finance Company, the oldest finance company in the country, and continues to lend her expertise as a consultant to international organisations.

Looking to the future

As the centenary match approaches, it is not just a celebration of the past, but also a reaffirmation of the ongoing commitment to the future of netball in Sri Lanka. The encounter between Ladies’ College and Girls’ High School Kandy will be an exciting and spirited contest, showcasing the talents of the next generation of netball players.

This milestone also serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of sport in Sri Lanka and the role of schools in fostering athletic talent, discipline, and a sense of community. As the two schools come together to celebrate 100 years of netball, it is clear that this cherished tradition will continue to inspire future generations.