Thurstan Rugby for “Honor & Glory”
The Principal having taken serious notes of the achievements of the Junior Old Boys Union and our efforts in all our projects and any task whatever we have engaged in handed over all activities of College Rugby development of both the Junior (Under 13 & 15) & Senior (Under 17 & 19) to the Junior O.B.U. This decision was taken because of the urgent need to identify speedy avenues for the growth and prosperity of College Rugby. As of 2005 the Junior O.B.U of the college has been entrusted with the task infusing a new drive & fresh outlook to bring back the “Honor & Glory” that rugby once brought to Thurstan. Under the Junior OBU a special committee has been appointed for this task.
The Committee
The Chairman – Mr.R.D.M.P. Weerathunga
The President – Mr.Sujeewa Perera
The Secretary – Mr.Suranga Kulawickrama
The Treasurer – Mr.Nimmitha Hettiarachchi (JOBU Treasurer)
Executive Committee Member – Mr.Mohan Fernando ( PRACTICES & NUTRICIAN PROGRAM )
Executive Committee Member – Mr.Janaka Widanagamage ( FUND RAISING & SPONSORSHIPS )
Executive Committee Member – Mr.Aflal Izadeen ( GAME PROMOTION & MEDIA )
Executive Committee Member – Mr.Neel Adikari ( GROUND ARRANGEMENTS )
Executive Committee Member – Mr.Dileepa Paranawithana ( TEAM WELFARE )
Executive Committee Member – Junior OBU Senior Vice President
Executive Committee Member – OBU Rugby Secretary
With the vision to bring back the “Honor & Glory” of Thurstan Rugby, the Junior Old Boys Union Rugby Development Committee (Junior OBU RDC) took over the project. It was the view of the committee that if we are to develop rugby we need to provide the boys more than a coach and a Jersey. Maintaining the professionalism even in schoolboy rugby is today a costly affair.
With a Rs. 1,000,000.00 estimated annual budget for both the Junior (Under 13 & 15) and Senior (Under 17 & 19) Teams, the fundraising was initiated with the launch of the “Thurstan Rugby Contribution Card” As the first stage 500 PVC cards were completed and each card will be sold at Rs.1,000.00. We have received Rs.75,000.00 from the college for Rugby this year and have received confirmations of 2 sponsorship so far. Rs.125,000.00 from SINGER & Rs.100,000.00 from ’91 Thurstanites Association. We have so far spent Rs.350,751.50 from February to early May. All expenses related to the Junior OBU RDC will be handled in separate account at Sampath Bank and an audited report by the Auditors of the Junior OBU will be submitted at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Junior Old Boys Union.
This year we have obtained the services of Mr.Gamini Indrasena ( Presently a Grade B1 Rugby referee for SLRFU, Educated at Isipathana College, he has Played for Isipathana, Captained and Coached Isipathana rugby for several years. Represented Havelock’s during the 1983-94 period) and Mr.Asanga Rodrigo (Coach Thurstan Senior team in 2003/4. Presently playing for CR & FC and represent Sri Lanka) As Jt.Coaches. This year also we were able to get the assistance of Mr.Vipula Dharmadasa as our Technical Advisor for the 2005 & 2006 seasons.
