Rugby circle lament new circular
The news about plans for the Schools Rugby season next year is that Trinity will continue with Neil Foote the Coach of last year. St. Anthony’s Kandy is to go with a former Royal Coach Theo Seraphim who also had a stint with S. Thomas’. Royal is expected to be coached by the proven Johann Taylor the successful Kandy Coach. This was confirmed by sources at Royal College. While it is speculated that S. Thomas College Mount Lavinia is to be coached by Grant Dwyer the former CR coach and St. Peters by another Samoan coach Tavita Tulagaese (Laga) who has been in Sri Lanka for many years.
However there seems to be trouble brewing as the education ministry has informed all schools that they will not recommend the issue of Visas for foreigners who are brought to teach a subject or a sport. The letter dated 2012 October 4, bearing reference ED/01/10/01/75 (ii) has been issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education. The Sunday Times tried but failed to contact Director of Physical Educa- tion Rohana Karunaratne who we were informed is abroad and our attempts to contact his Deputy Mr. Jayasekera too was also not successful.
The letter states that Sri Lanka has adequate local resources that can be used and as such do not need expatriates. The reasons given for this is that some of them are beyond the retiring age whilst some do not have the necessary qualifications. It is also stated that there has not been adequate information about the character and their behaviour. Another reason given is that some of these individuals attempt to foster the narrow aims of NGOs while directing children towards various acts of misconduct.
This letter as we understand is not directed at sport alone but is combined with teaching of subjects in the curricular. Informed sources did confirm that there have been instances of such issues specifically in the areas in the Southern popular tourism belt where teachers have been sponsored by NGOs.
As the letter mentions about sports teachers meaning coaches we sought the views of those involved schools sports. They were of the opinion that there is a lack of coaches and this would hinder the progress. Athletics they pointed as a case while they asked why bring coaches at National level for many sports if we have the resources. If sports are to develop there is a need for such input as the coaching of skills and techniques at junior age groups are vital.
The Vice President of the Schools Rugby Football Association Lasitha too informed that he was not aware of the letter. He added that when the country is attempting to reach higher standards at international games the need for skill improvement beginning at the junior level and the input from foreign coaches is invaluable.
He also emphasized that all coaches for rugby has had an excellent track record and also a coach taking an assignment in another country has to be cleared by his home union as required by the world governing body. That is where the link with the governing body and the IRB are important.