‘We have a talented set of girls,’ says Head Coach Saliya Kumara

Women's Sevens players in action at the Sugathadasa Stadium ahead of the AR 7s 

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Women’s Sevens outfit started their training three days back ahead of the Asia Rugby Sevens 2021 which will take place in UAE during 19 and 20 November.

Speaking to Daily FT, Women’s Head Coach, former Vidyartha, Trinity, CH & FC, Kandy SC and national sevens and 15s player Saliya Kumara said: “We started our training session at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday, will continue for the next two days and move to Havelock Park. Out of the selected 40 girls, 32 of them attended day 1. Three more girls will join us in the next couple of days. All 32 PCRs returned negative and no issues on that.”

Saliya speaking further said: “We have ample talent but the girls were away from rugby for nearly 20 months. Need to put things in place. It’s always a challenge for everyone players plus me as we are left with only three weeks for the tournament. There are nearly 12 senior players in the squad. I found some rare talented girls who can run fast from Uva and Sabaragamuwa Province. 

“We want to mix youth and experience, find the touring squad. I am hoping to play the practice matches close to Police Park ideally at Havelock on 30 and 31 October. This will give the girls an opportunity to watch the Men’s in action at the sevens rugby. We want to select the pool of 20 players soon after these two days. Sad that we do not have a women’s event at the Warrior Rugby sevens but want to take the maximum out of these three weeks of preparation.”

Saliya ended saying: “We are getting the full support from Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President Rizly Ilyas and his team for these training sessions.”