Holy Family Convent Kurunegala undisputed queens of school netball

Wednesday, 2 July 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Text and pix by P.D. De Silva Holy Family Convent Kurunegala successfully defended the school Netball crown they hold for the seventh successive year at the 23rd Schools Netball Championship held over three days at the D.A. Rajapaksa stadium in Beliatta. The Familians from Kurunegala had a team playing in all three age group finals which were played simultaneously, and it was a hard task for coach Amalka Gunathilke to motivate the three teams at the

same time! HFC Kurunegala emerged under 14 and under 16 champs and runners up in the under 18 age group. They also took fourth spot in the under 16 age group and the two teams that participated in the under 13 age group reached the final eight an indication that HFC Kurunegala will dominate the school netball arena for years to come. The under 18 team led by Nelumi Tharushika defeated Watarekengoda MV 22 points to 1 and received a walk over from Dharmapala College Eheliyagoda in the pre quarterfinals. The lasses from Kurunegala out played Sacred Heart Convent Galle 22 points to 10 in the quarter finals and overcame Visakha Vidyala Colombo 27 points to 21 in a hard fought semi final to loose 15 points to 20 to defending champs Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya. The Kurunegala Familian’s ‘A’ team led by Githma Kauwmudi defeated Holy Cross College Gampaha 19 points to 13, Siddartha Central College Eppawala 18 points to 16 in the pre quarter finals, Gothami Balika Vidyalaya 13 points to 7 in the quarter finals, Museaus College 16 points to 10 in the semi finals and Presbiterian Girls School Dehiwela 25 points to 10 win the under 16 championship.

The Familian ‘B’ team led by Nethma Dayarathne overcame Hillwood Girls School 20 points to 7, Dankotuwa Balika Vidyalaya 12 points to 3, Dharmapala Vidyalaya Pannipitiya 16 points to 11 in the pre quarter final, Ananda Blika Vidyalaya Colombo 15 points to 9 in the quarterfinal and lost to Presbiterian Girls School Dehiwela in the semi final and lost to Museaus College Colombo in the play off for third place. Navodya Sulakshani Rathnayake of Holy Family Convent Kurunegala was named the best player of the under 16 group A final. In the under 14 age group HFC Kurunegala led by Sethmi Danushi defeated Holy Cross College 19 points to 02, Devi Balika Vidyala Colombo 10 points to 6 in the pre quarter finals, Mahanaga MV Kegalle by 24 points to 7 in the quarter final, Museaus College Colombo by 15 points 12 in the semi final and overcame Visakha Vidyalaya Colombo by 17 points to 10 to clinch the under 14 crown. In the under 13 age group HFC ‘A’ led by Christina Shiroshi won two

games before defeating Holy Cross College Gampaha to reach the final eight while HFC ‘B’ led by UIthara Dewadasan won their two games before overcoming Siddartha MV to clinch a spot in the final eight. The strength behind the Kurunegala Familian’s success is no other than coach and teacher in charge Amalka Gunathilake. Amalka assisted by her husband Ananda Wannitillake who conducts the physical training have got the best of the girls at HFC Kurunegala.