CR&FC - The first rugby club dedicated to Ceylonese citizens
As the country commemorates its 75th year of independence, not far from Independence Square, the Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club (CR&FC) celebrates its centenary year. CR&FC was founded in 1922 as the first rugby club dedicated to Ceylonese as citizens of this land were called then.
The club’s founder Colonel Ernest Henley Joseph was driven by his social and moral conscience, to establish a recreational venue dedicated to the Ceylonese, at a time when European colonialists held sway and locals were only permitted to enter existing sporting clubs at their behest.
As history records, it all started when Colonel Joseph established Ceylonese rugger, and grouped together a team to play on the Nondescripts Cricket Club grounds. Colonel Joseph, who was the then President of NCC, took charge of his players, coached them, and organised fixtures with other established and reputed clubs. The instant success achieved prompted him to form a truly Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club and for this purpose, public opinion and support were canvassed.
The Clifford Cup was first presented in 1911 by the wife of then acting Governor of Ceylon Hugh Clifford.
In 1928, thanks to the industrious Oxford educated F. J. De Saram (vice president at the time), CR&FC secured the Longdon Place grounds. The first “home” game was against the much fancied all European “merry men of Uva”. After the ceremonial ground opening by Sir Hubert
Stanley, Governor of Ceylon, the red shirts went on to register a memorable victory 6 points to 3. Such was the euphoria following the victory, members of CR&FC procured an enlarged framed photograph of the club founder and president Col. E. H. Joseph and positioned it prominently in recognition of the splendid services rendered to the club and Ceylonese rugby in general. This photograph still adorns the club's entry even today.
The club’s oldest living honorary life member and captain Summa Navaratnam recalls “the best and happiest years of my life were spent at the club. So much so, I met both my brides at the after match functions at the CR! I believe the CR&FC’s contribution to rugby and my life journey has been immense.” Adding sage advice to emerging CR players with “practice with patience. Fear no one. Play with enthusiasm, enjoy playing the game and most of all, wear the “red jersey” with pride”.
Fast track one hundred years and the CR&FC has established itself as a premier rugby club and expanded its sports programme offering close to a dozen sporting facilities.
The recently released centenary book “Tackling Change: 100 years of CR&FC” superbly presents the journey aptly demonstrating how well the club adapted to the relentless socio-economic changes. Each decade is seamlessly forged to build an organisation that is representative of the community expectations. It provides a desirable ambiance for a social fellowship regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or age.