Wesley College felicitates Rugby team
The Rugby Committee of Wesley College recognised the efforts of their First XV rugby team and its coaching staff at the ‘ Chairman’s Dinner’ held at the Kingsbury Hotel last week. The felicitating ceremony was hosted by the Chairman of Rugby Committee Capt. Naveen de Silva, who initiated the programme with hopes of continuing the tradition in years to come.
The ceremony was organised after the coaching team suggested that the efforts of the young and aspiring team should be recognised of their efforts throughout the season, where Wesley finished seventh overall in the Singer League and also reached the semi- final stage of the Milo Presidents Cup Knockout competitions.
In a bid to further encourage the players, the Rugby Committee took up the suggestion in a positive note and also threw out five individual awards based on personal performances of the players. Accordingly the awards that were presented for the Most Improved Player, Best Tackler, Best Forward Player, Best Back Division Player and Overall Best Player.
Murshid Zubair claimed a double and became the first recipient of the Overall Best Player and Best Back Division Player awards while Zaheem Al Kareem won the award for the Most Improved Player. The Best Forward for the season was Seshan Jayawardene, the vice captain as Ryan Samuel grabbed the award for the Best Tackler.
The entire rugby team and the squad, the coaching staff, supporting staff and the administrative officers of rugby at Wesley College were present at the event. The occassion was graced by the distinguished old boys of Wesley -- namely Eddie Buell, a former top level player, former principals M. A. C. Fernando, CEO of Commercial Bank, S. Renganathan, Richard Ebel, former Director Finance of Hayleys, L.R. Gunathilaka former national cricketer, Gen. Mahesh Samaraweera, national cricketer Farveez Maharoof, Mahesh Nanayakkara, the Managing Director of CDB and Ivor Maharoof.
The Wesley College rugby team will retain the services of many players besides four of their top seniors for the next season, where they intend to make an impact.
The four individual award winners Murshid Zubair, Seshan Jayawardene, Ryan Samuel and Zaheem Al Kareem with the Head Coach, Paul Toia (centre)