Mixed feelings as Martis takes over as Asst. Rugby Coach

Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union’s decision (SLRFU) headed by Asanga Seneviratne to appoint Englishman Phil Greening as the national coach has received whole hearted consent following Sri Lanka’s dull form in the international arena. At the same time when experienced local coach Sanath Martis was appointed as assistant to Greening many received the news with mixed feelings.
Though there were many pleased with Martis’s appointment, there were others who had different views. Some said that Martis was not in good terms with the Old Boys’ Association (OBA) of St. Peter’s College, where he has coached since 2005.

There were others saying that Martis was kicked out by the school authorities after he spoke on behalf of a group of players who were suspended by the Father Rector. However the Father Rector and the OBA of St. Peter’s rubbished these assumptions while commenting that their relationship with Martis was healthy and it still remains strong.

“We are upset that we lost his services suddenly. He has done a great job in to restructure our rugby. But the loss of a great navigator in the coaching staff is a great setback for us. We would definitely love to have him back but we have to understand that he is serving a more responsible job at the national level,” Suranga Seneviratne, a senior member of the St. Peter’s OBA said. 

Martis considered as one of the shrewdest tacticians of the game, played for Isipathana in 1983 and 1984 as hooker. He played for CR & FC from 1985 to 1988 and also represented national Under-20 and Under-24 teams in 1985 and 1987 respectively. In 1985 Martis began his coaching career with the Isipathana junior teams while in 1987 he took over the 1st XV team. 

In 1993 he moved to Kurunegala as the coach for the North Western Province while guiding teams such as St. Anne’s and Kurunegala RFC to many famous victories. In 1997 he took over Wesley and went on to coach his former club CR & FC and Isipathana before taking over St. Peter’s in 2005. In between he has coached mercantile and armed forces teams towards many championships. He also served as the Sri Lanka Under-20 assistant coach from 2002 to 2004 and as its head coach twice, from 2006 to 2008 as well as in 2010. A fortnight ago Asanga Seneviratne, the new head of SLRFU, stated his reasons for picking Martis as the head coach of rugby development.

“Martis is the ideal candidate from Sri Lanka as he has fulfilled several of our anticipations. I’m sure we can implement our development programmes affectively with Martis around,” Seneviratne told journalists last week.

Meanwhile Reverend Father Travis Gabriel, the principal of St. Peter’s stated that the school suffered a major blow by the sudden exit of Martis. He admitted that the coach had done a good job in helping St. Peter’s to maintain its rugby standards.

“It is a big loss for the school. But he is reaching the next step in his career which is the national level. That’s a level I’m sure any coach would like to reach and why should we hamper his progress. We will surely miss him and would love him to return if he wishes to,” Rev. Fr. Gabriel said. 

Martis meanwhile commenting on his new role said that his aim is to brush up the talents from the rural areas and help outstation rugby playing teams give the much stronger sides in Colombo and Kandy a run for their money. This is the sort of challenge Martis has been facing since his coaching days in 1985.

“It’s glad to learn that Asanga Seneviratne and his committee have confidence in me. I bade adieu to St. Peter’s very reluctantly. This was something I anticipated for a long time. I have fond memories with St. Peter’s and should thank all those who assisted me in producing so many players to the national level since 2005. This was my objective in coaching. I made this move because I can clearly see good times ahead for rugby in Sri Lanka. On my part I’m willing to give my fullest to unearth and develop rugby players and coaches and its infrastructures to serve Sri Lanka rugby,” Martis said.

Martis’ agreement with the SLRFU as the head of the development will be for three years from February 2012. As the SLRFU makes efforts to restructure the lost prestige domestically and globally, Martis’ involvement will be vital. He vows to help SLRFU in maintaining a national squad that is strong and open for any skilled player. 

Sunday, 26th February 2012 - The Sunday Times

Sunday

Schools rugby 2012 heralded by Sevens

St. Thomas’ College Matale and Dharmapala MV Pannipitiya will make their debut in division one rugby when they participate in the inter-school under-19 seven-a-side tournament which will be worked off on March 3 and 4 at the Royal College Sports Complex in Colombo.

Dharmapala MV and S. Thomas’ College were promoted to the top division after they had emerged division two champions and runners-up respectively in last year’s league tournament.
Dharmapala MV will battle it out along with former champions Royal, St. Sylvester’s and Nalanda in group ‘E’ while S. Thomas’ will meet St. Joseph’s, Vidyartha and St. John’s Nugegoda in group ‘D’.

Meanwhile the defending champions St. Peter’s College has been drawn in the top half together with Lumbini MV and Ananda while last year’s runners-up Kingswood College Kandy will face Thurstan and Prince of Wales.
In addition Isipathana are pitted against Mahanama and St. Anne’s Kurunegala in group ‘B’ while three outstation schools St. Anthony’s, Dharmaraja and Maliyadeva completes group ‘C’.

Last year’s knockout champions Trinity College will start their campaign in group ‘F’ along with Wesley and Zahira while group ‘G’ comprise of Science College, S. Thomas’ Mount Lavinia and Royal Panadura.
The eight top teams of each group will qualify to compete in the Cup Championship and the losers will be pushed into the Plate Championship. The second placed team in each group will play in the Bowl Championship and the third placed team will vie for the Shield Championship.

 Sunday, 26 February 2012 - The Nation

Day with the head of Referees - Nizam Jamaldeen

A product of Isipathana College, Colombo, Nizam represented the College 1st XV in the years of 1984 and 1985. During the later part of 1985 he started playing for CR & FC  even though at a very young age. Having joined the Police Force in the year 1986, he continued to play for the Police Team till 1997, rendering his services as a very valuable fly half to the team. He also proceeded to captain the Police Team in 1993, in which they  became the League Runners Up.  Jamaldeen is the proud record holder for the highest amount of individual points up to date. A total of 248 points accumulated in one rugby season still stands to his name. Jama, managed to beat the 202 point record previously held by legend Charles Wijewardena.

Jamaldeen also represented the Sri Lanka sevens and fifteen sides from 1986- 1994 at fly half position. He is currently the only Sri Lankan referee who has officiated in a total of 05 ASIAD’s and 03 Asian Tournaments. The highlight of his referring career was when he was selected by the IRB to serve as a match official in the Dubai Sevens in 2003.


What are your thoughts on being re-appointed as the President? 

With the recent re- appointment as President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Referees Committee Jamaldeen stated that he doesn’t want to stay in office forever. Stressing the fact that a young man should take office next year Jamaldeen was happy to be the president for another year with 60 votes backing him up. Main reason for him not wanting office this year was due to his son, Arshad Jamaldeen captaining the Royal Team this year. He emphatically explained that he excused himself from the ‘assignment committee’ which according to the constitution has to be headed by the President. He stated that three experienced gentleman were in place to make these assignments.


Last year’s progress? 

With the help of the three gentlemen, Mitha Abeygunawardena, Vimal Perera and Vimal Senanayake he stated that they had done pretty well during the last season, both in  School and Club matches.


Referee Structure in Sri Lanka 

There are three categories of referees in Sri Lanka at present.
1. International Level
2. A1 Grade referees
3. A2 Grade referees
There is also a website for referees where they can log onto and check their assigned matches for the upcoming week. They also have the option of either accepting or declining the particular match assigned for them.


Status of Refereeing in Sri Lanka  

right - referee Gamini Indrasena an old isipathanian

Referring in Sri Lanka is severely looked down upon by the public and because of this notion none of the younger generation is motivated to take up referring as a hobby. This is a very depressing situation for us. We are facing a massive shortage in refs with the current match structure and it is very sad to see when none of the younger lads want to take up referring. Due to the manhandling and verbal abuse experienced by the current team of refs, the younger generation is not at all interested in joining the     field. A referee is very vital to the game of Rugby and we should make it a point to encourage the younger players to look upon to help carry on the game forward.


How important is referring to the game of Rugby? 

Referring is very vital for a game of Rugby. Lot of people think it is a very easy job but the truth is. ITS NOT!!! It deals with a lot of concentration, focusing and making wise and split-second decisions at crucial stages. Currently we lack a lot of technical assistance. Unlike in the international level Sri Lankan referees do not have the luxury of wired referring facility with the touch judges, TV refs etc. Since it’s a one man show down on the field, refs are bound to make more mistakes. “We are also human; the spectators have to understand that….”
All what a referee wants is to let the game flow and help the boys have a good game. In order to that the spectators and the coaches have to understand that they come only to view the game and enjoy, not chant rude slogans and mishandle the refs during a game. I always tell any Rugby enthusiastic, “Always love the game and enjoy the sport. One day before you go to watch a match, ask yourself twice as to why am I going for this match? If the answer is not to enjoy the match then please stay at home, by making that wise decision you will be doing a favour to many people..”

Thoughts on the Carlton Super Sevens 

“The best thing that has happened to Sri Lankan rugby! There should be more events like this since it gives so much of exposure to young players. Really helps them to learn from the experienced foreign players and it also helps them study the game in a different angle”

Future of Sri Lankan Rugby 

The dream of any rugby player or supporter of Sri Lanka would be to see the country playing a World cup, so we have to work towards that. From the referee’s point of view, my dream is to see at least one Sri Lanka referee to be chosen for the next Rugby World Cup. I also would like to make a point to the coaches in our country. Try to learn a lesson from the International arena coaches. Always make it a point to never get involved with the game while being played. Unlike in Sri Lanka, in the international arena none of the coaches get down to the ground and shout at the players and get involved with the referring etc. A coach’s eye is different to one that of a referees!!
In conclusion he stated “I would like to make one more official statement or rather a solemn request to all the young school lads to try and take up refereeing as a hobby at least so that there will be more competition in the referring arena in Sri Lanka. He said it is a perilous task and needs brave combatants to weather the storm.





Wednesday, 15 February 2012 - thepapare.com