As the Dialog Premier League season of 2019 comes to a climax, it is appropriate to reflect on the thrills and spills, ups and downs and of course the drama that made this one of the most memorable seasons in recent years. One club that has stood above the rest and risen phoenix like from the depths of despair, is Havelock Sports Club who have shown one and all, what sports is all about.
If we were to rewind to the commencement of the season in November last year, one of the two league finalists were never even in the reckoning to be in the top 4. Yet in what has been a re-enacting of a David vs Goliath scenario, the men in pink from the Park Club have defied all odds, won the hearts of many in the process and have single handedly revived the dying interest in club rugby with their passionate, never say die, gallant form of rugby.
Having lost as many as 10 starting line-up players from last season to other clubs, many a pundit were quick to write off the Park Club as ‘no-hopers’ and didn’t give as much as a second thought to their title ambitions. Yet, unknown to the outside world, a transformation was taking place deep within the four walls of this 104 year old institution. Led by a president who loves to take on a challenge, the wheels were set in motion to regroup and redraw the map for season 2019. Left with just 6 or 7 ‘seniors’ the rugby board sat down to map out their do or die strategy. Setting the plan in motion they quickly signed up some unsung heroes from the school circuit and got down to the nuts and bolts of putting a team together.
Once the manpower was in place it was left to coach Sanath Martis to work his magic and turn the ordinary in to extraordinary. The players didn’t let down the coach. To a man, they fought the good fight and did the impossible. And as the story goes, the rest is history. To go from non-entities to league finalist even after the format was changed to include a grueling third round, deserves more than a round of applause for the sheer passion the Park club has shown in conquering all the top teams crammed with the biggest names in the game.
Congratulations are in order to both teams for overcoming many a hurdle both on and off the field to become the first finalists in the newly introduced Super League. Ultimately, the winners of the Kandy Sports Club vs Havelock Sports Club game on Sunday March 3rd afternoon will be crowned the rugby league champions of 2019. This David vs. Goliath battle will be played at Havelock Park by virtue of the home team heading the points table at the end of round two. With all roads leading to the park on Sunday, it is billed to be the game of the year. Whether Havelocks win or lose this game, they have already won rugby over.
No doubt, Havelock SC is going back to their glory days! Havies as the club is fondly known is one of the premier rugby clubs in the country, with a century old history of rich traditions. Known to be a family club for rugby enthusiasts, Havelock SC has been a welcome home to foster friendship and camaraderie among the rugby fraternity. The club boasts of a proud history of champion rugby and its name boards depict a host of stars that have represented both the club and country with honours over the years. Havies is synonymous among the sporting public for always maintaining an environment that fosters the spirit of true brotherhood though the great sport of rugby. It is also one of the few clubs that have always had the door wide open for school leavers to come in and develop their talent. This year apart from its achievements in the playing arena, the rejuvenated club has reached many a milestone including a new and improved club house among other facilities.
The Premier League is the country’s oldest rugby tournament and the cup was introduced in 1950. Havelock SC was the first winner of the cup and dominated the league in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. The club was founded in 1915 by 27 schoolboys whose ages ranged from 12 to 16 years and were living in the vicinity of Havelock Park. In the formative years the club had no constitution, no office bearers, no materials, no grounds, but just enthusiasm and comradeship.
The inspiration and keenness for all this came from none other than a boy named Roy Joachim who in 1915 together with the other boys got about setting up the club, never dreaming that their efforts would result in a club that would dominate the game for the better part of a century winning the league on 14 occasions and sharing it once. Havelocks were also the first club to win the Clifford Cup.
After the 2nd World War, when rugby was revived in 1949, Havelock SC became unofficial champions and was unbeaten Clifford Cup champions in 1950 and 1951 without having the line crossed a single time in both years. Hockey has also been fostered at the club until recent times. They have won many a trophy at hockey winning the Andriesz Shield in 1935 and 1960, the Pioneer Cup in 1950 and 1955, and first winners of the Bacon Cup in 1947 and several other trophies.
This has been a golden season for the club but their success has not come on a platter. Talent, dedication, commitment, discipline and of course team work from the top down have been the basic ingredients that have contributed towards the success of the club. Out of the 15 games they have played so far they have won 13 and lost just two. They can also take pride in the fact that for the first time they have beaten their arch rivals CR&FC three times in a row in one league season.
Clubs have to manage on their own with no financial assistance from Sri Lanka Rugby. Havelock SC has got the backing of two sports loving sponsors, namely EFL and Mobitel who have been the cornerstone of the Havelocks success this year. This is because no dream can succeed without the necessary funding and these two corporate powerhouses have backed the club financially.
Besides this the club membership has stood by the management and supported them at every turn. A big hand should go out to the hard working committee of Havelock SC led by president Romesh Abeywickrema for doing the impossible and bringing back the glory days of this much loved club. Then also to the Rugby Committee comprising its Chairman Sammy Akbar, Secretary Roshan Opatha, Manager Ruklan Cabraal, Mangala Dharmapriya, Head Coach Sanath Martis, and Assistant Coach Lakala Perera, Continuous Improvement Expert, Haris Omar and Chairman, Rugby Advisory Committee, Ana Saranapala who have all believed in the ability of the players to deliver the goods.
The club is handled by the Executive Committee comprising people like President Romesh Abeywickrema, Vice Presidents Anuja Premaratne PC, Mindika Hettiarachchi, General Secretary Tiny Samat, Treasurer Thusitha Peiris, Bar Secretary Rajive Perera, Social Secretary Eranga Katipearachchi, Ground Secretary V.S Perry, Joint Sports Secretary Roshan Opatha, Nishantha Chanaka, Past President Yoosoof Mukthar and Committee Members Rohan Gomis, Mangala Dharmapriya and Dinuka Perera.
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