• With a rich history of triumphs, Thurstan Rugby looks to overcome past hurdles and build a sustainable future
• Thurstan Rugby gears up for a strong comeback in the top division, backed by renewed support and a dedicated coaching staff

Today the Daily Morning brings you an in-depth chat with some of the driving forces behind a schools rugby team who are eyeing for lost glory in the oval game in Sri Lanka.

Thurstan College Rugby began its journey 1957, becoming the second government school to embrace the sport. From that early spark, the flame of rugby passion has continued to burn, bringing glory and pride to Thurstanites for generations. Their milestones include beating giants like Royal and their brother school Isipathana during their glory days, qualifying consistently for top-tier tournaments and clinching the President’s Trophy in 1998. Thurstan also lifted the Premier Trophy in 2016 and 2018, showcasing that they can challenge and triumph against the best.

This year Thurstan will play alongside Trinity, Royal, Sri Sumangala and Vidyartha in the group stages of the Schools Rugby League top division Round-1 commencing in this week.

Thurstan Rugby’s rich legacy is marked by several memorable title triumphs that continue to inspire new generations. Thurstanites clinched its first major title in 1998, when the team led by Nuwan Kumara, stunned traditional powerhouse and kings of knockout rugby Isipathana College to win the President’s Trophy, ending a 35-year drought against their rivals.

In more recent history, Thurstan secured the Premier Trophy Championship twice in 2016 under Thisum Palihawadana, and again in 2018 under Mohamed Rizkan, cementing their status as a top-tier contender. The 2023 season added another golden chapter, as the 1st XV team swept through the knockout stages to win the Premier Trophy once more, becoming double champions in Division 1 Segment B. Thurstan has also finished as runners-up in the Premier Trophy in 2010 and 2014, and earned third place in Segment B in 2010 under Chandana Pushpakumara. Another historic milestone came in 2005, when Thurstan defeated arch-rivals Isipathana College to win the Abdul Jabbar Shield for the first time in the match’s 37 year history. These victories, carved through commitment and courage, serve as a foundation for Thurstan Rugby’s renewed ambition in 2025.

Below are the excerpts from the interviews:

Captain Hansa Indramala 

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How’s the senior-junior combination at Thurstan Rugby this year?

This year when we talk about the senior-junior combo, well there are less senior players, however the junior players have a good combination along with the senior players. There are plenty of freshers and they have gelled well to go into the season with confidence. 

At what position do you play?

I play at the no 9 position as scrum-half (half back)

What are your thoughts about the new coaching set-up with the guidance of Coach Shamlie Nawaz?

Honestly, we are learning rugby in a very expansive, advanced way. With a great support coming in from each and everyone in the coaching panel. 

How’s the support from your school, old boys and the committee overall?

First of all our Principal, the Old Boys Union, and everyone involved in developing rugby at Thurstan are supporting us in every aspect of our needs and taking care of us at all times.

What would you like to say to all the supporters of Thurstan Rugby for the 2025 season?

To all of you who love and admire Thurstan Rugby I urge you all to come to our matches and witness the boys giving the best out in the field for the college jersey. We need your cheer from the sidelines to play the game with great spirit and gusto. 

Whom do you think will be the toughest opponent this season?

Well we are planning to go out there and face each opponent match-by-match. So each and every team is well drilled and well oiled to face the league championship and we know every outfit will be a challenge and we will definitely be a challenge to them too. Our motive is to rectify the mistakes of the past and play well this year.

Director of Rugby Shamlie Nawaz 

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How does it feel to be back in coaching with your brother school?  

Yeah, this is my first time coaching with my brother school. So I'm really thrilled to give back something to Thurstan College and develop their rugby to a certain level that they come up with and they are happy with the outcomes. It's a challenging assignment.

You have been given the task of rebuilding and refocusing the strategies of Thurstan after a lacklustre season from last year. How are your plans this time to turn things around?

Actually, the challenge is huge because last season there was no demotion, so Thurstan was lucky to stay in the A-Division. So having a B-Division team in the A-Division and giving a fight is a really tough task. But I think boys have improved a lot with the off-season and pre-season training. So I'm expecting a good game because we had knockouts in the start of the season and I think they showed some signs of improvement and I think we have come up from the St. Peter's game. We are trying to play some better rugby in the future this season. 

How challenging will the 1st round fixtures be this time around with the likes of the teams from Royal, St. Joseph’s, Trinity, Sumangala and Vidyartha Colleges? 

It seems like a very challenging group, especially with some top teams. After seeing the teams in the knockout competition, I think we are also in a tough group to survive. But this year's competition, they have broken up for three stages so I think there is hope for all the teams till the season finishes. Unlike having the first round and not having to play rugby. So I think that is one good thing that the school section has done and I of course just like any other team we are also trying to win some games this year because Thurstan would love to win some games and celebrate and take their rugby to the next level.

Also, could you tell us about your coaching staff this time around? Who is your supporting unit with you at the helm?

I am actually taking a director role at Thurstan College and the forwards are taken care of by Ranuka Medagedara. He is a very experienced forwards coach who has been with the Air Force as a player, an assistant coach and a former Kingswoodian. Then I have Dilan Soyza as trainer and backs coach, he is a former national player too. He has done a lot with me and he has been the Army and Air Force assistant coach alongside me. So he is bringing a lot of experience. Then I have Saliya Hadapangoda who is one of the assistant coaches at Navy Sports Club, a decorated national player helping me out with the backs and he is looking after the junior structure Under-16s also. Then the medical side, the physio, the masseur is Sumudu Silva and he is also very experienced. He helps the boys continue as fit as always.

What is your message for the season to all the rugby playing schools, the fraternity and the supporters for season 2025? 

I think, as I know, all the teams train hard so I think they come to get a good result. But if you don't enjoy the game there’s no point, rugby is all about cherishing the great moments with your teammates. Even having a cracker tackle, I think that's an enjoyment irrespective whether you are a forward or a back. There are so many aspects of the game that you enjoy. You kick well and you enjoy and you score tries and enjoy the simple joys of the game. Sometimes even after losing a game after giving your 100% you still can enjoy it. So I think it's all about enjoying the sport and continuing the sport to the next generation and doing well.

Thurstan Rugby Committee Member Achala Ramanayeka

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How are the expectations and how big is the challenge this time after a rather sloppy season in 2024?

True, actually we are looking forward to this season. It's been a very good learning curve for us coming to A-division after almost a decade. We performed really well during the last couple of seasons in B-Division. But unfortunately the gap has widened further since we played in B-Division to A-Division. So, last year we learnt our lessons. That's why the new structure has been put in place. The junior rugby set up has been put in place in a new way of forward thinking. And also that's the main reason there has been a new coaching panel as well as the boys have practiced well. For lining up for the season. And we are hoping for the very best and we are going to challenge all our opponent teams in the league. And we as Thurstan Rugby, who has been playing passionate rugby throughout the last few decades, will hopefully be ready for the challenge this year. And we wish all the other teams the very best in the upcoming league.

You have been a passionate supporter of Thurstan Rugby, someone who comes with a lot of rugby pedigree, what is your message to everyone who is playing this year to uplift the sportsmanship and spirit of the game?

True, actually I just wanted to say the structures have been put in place. The governing bodies have to take control and build these structures to make Sri Lanka's schoolboys line themselves up to play at the national level. And from national level we are going to go next, to be competitive against many teams that are in the Asian region as well as on any national stage as well. So we have the talent, we need the right nutrition and the guidance with good governance to take that leap and move forward. So I hope these new structures that have been in place will pave the way for that and we hope for the best in the coming couple of years for Sri Lanka Rugby as a whole.

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As a part of the 75th anniversary of Thurstan College, the 1991 Thurstanites Association has announced their sponsorship of the college rugby team for the 2025 season. The President of the association, Sriyan Gurusinghe said: “As a proud Thurstanites, we are honoured to give back to the school that gave us so much,” and added that their goal is to help build a sustainable framework for long-term excellence in sports at Thurstan.

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Thurstan College Rugby Squad - 2025

Forwards: Sawan Paransara, Dileen Nethroo, S.K. Tharusha, Nadew Thiseera, Heshan Sathsara, Jayathu Rasanjana, Ruchara Hishan, Amitha Rusiru, Vinuka Hejitha (VC), Sithija Jayathilaka, Yasas Vidushana, Yehen Anavaratne, Janaka Idunil, Vidusha Dolawatta, Kalana Koojana, Dasun Nimsara

Backs: Hansa Indramala (C), Januda Bashitha, Shashira Sarusha, Esitha Apoorwa (VC), Sadila Geerasinghe, Dilshan Bandara, Hasanda Sesilu, Akeesha Pushpakumara, Vishuka Nilanga, Sanjuna Paranavitahana, Theekshana Heshan, Thineth Pabasara, Thenuka Viran, Senath Kenula, Amindu Rajapaksha

Coaching Staff: Director of Rugby Shamlie Nawaz, forwards coach Ranuka Medagedara, backs coach Saliya Handapangoda, trainer Dilan Soyza, Manager Daminda Abeysekara