From the basketball courts of Colombo to the high-stakes state arenas of Australia, Nichula Liyanage is rewriting the playbook for Sri Lankan sports professionals. In a historic landmark, Nichula has been appointed as the Head Coach of a state team in Australia, becoming the first Sri Lankan to ever hold such a position. He also breaks new ground as the first non-Australian to lead a state basketball programme in the Northern Territory. 

In 2023 Nichula became the first Sri Lankan to play in the Australian Pro League. Our protagonist was once Sri Lanka’s number one-ranked 3x3 (three-on–three) player in 2017, and captained the under-23 national side in 2019. His journey is a remarkable story of Sri Lankan grit. Which began at Wesley College, St. Peter’s College, and Gateway College, where he developed the technical foundation and passion that would ultimately take him across the ocean. 

After walking away from a corporate career back home to follow his coaching dreams under the guidance of Coach Praneeth ‘Pani’ Udumalagala, Nichula has proven the underdog can indeed come out on top. Beyond the sidelines, Nichula balances a demanding role at KPMG as a Tax Advisor and a commitment to giving back to society. 

Whether it is raising thousands of dollars for men’s mental health through push-up challenges or his current ‘Go Pink’ campaign for breast cancer awareness all whilst being an immigrant giving back to the society, he exemplifies the heart and soul he believes sets Sri Lankan coaches apart. 

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with the history-maker to discuss his transition from the streets of Colombo to Australian state leadership, the power of trusting the process, and why he believes Sri Lankan talent just needs the right spotlight to shine.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

You are officially the first Sri Lankan to be appointed Head Coach of a state team in Australia and the first non-Australian to do so in the Northern Territory. How does it feel to see ‘History-Maker’ added to your resume?

It honestly feels surreal. Growing up in Sri Lanka, you never really imagine that one day you’ll be breaking barriers in another land through the sport you love. For me, this isn’t just a personal achievement. It represents every young Sri Lankan athlete or coach who dreams beyond borders. I’m proud, gleeful, grateful, and humbled by it all.

When you held the official appointment letter, what was the first memory that came to mind?

The first thing that came to mind was my first time coaching kids. I remembered being taken under the wing of Coach Praneeth years ago when he gave me the opportunity to start coaching. 

I had just quit my corporate job back home, and at the time, I didn't know if it was the right decision. Looking back now, many years later, taking that risk and falling in love with coaching and the game is the memory that popped into my head—working with Praneeth and coaching those kids.

From the ‘Karlsruhe Hill’ at Wesley, the ‘Bamba Brigade’ at St. Peter's and Gateway to leading a state programme in Australia—how would you describe this incredible evolution in just a few words?

I think that evolution defines who I am, my life, and my personality. If I hadn't gone through all those schools and stages, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I've seen everything—different lifestyles, coaching methods, and playing styles across various schools. 

I feel blessed that all these institutions will be a part of me forever. Every coach and team I’ve worked with has shaped my personality and my drive. 

People sometimes make fun of me for moving between three different schools, but I am so glad of what I did. 

From the friends I made to the teachers and coaches I learned from, every part of that journey was for a reason. It completed me as a person.

You’ve often balanced the sharpshooter mindset with strategic thinking from your MBA. How did that business-like preparation help you secure such a high-level leadership role?

Basketball today is much more than talent — it’s leadership, communication, culture-building, planning, and decision-making under pressure. 

My MBA helped me understand people, systems, and long-term thinking. It taught me how to lead with structure and vision, not just emotion. I think combining sport with strategic thinking helped separate me as a coach.

What is the one unique element of Sri Lankan grit or culture that you are most excited to introduce to your new Australian squad?

I feel that everywhere Lankans go, we are often viewed as the underdogs. Even when I represented Sri Lanka, people tended to count us out, but we always managed to surprise them. Because of that, we have to work twice as hard to get to where we want to be. Something I always tell my coaches and the kids—and something I’ve learned through my own life—is that it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. That is the mindset I want my players to embrace.

Who was the first person you called to share the news with, and what was the most emotional part of that conversation?

It was certainly my family—my mom, my dad, and my sister. I’m very close with them and I just want to keep making them proud, so I called my mom first. My dad was particularly proud because he was the one who encouraged me to pursue basketball when I originally wanted to play cricket. They were overjoyed and told me that I continue to surprise them with everything I achieve. The most emotional part was when my mom reminded me of how far I’ve come. 

Moving to a new country and starting from scratch is tough, and looking back at the growth from those early days to taking over a programme two years later is incredibly poignant. That conversation really captured the entire journey—the good, the bad, the joy, and the perseverance it took to get here. Making them proud is the best feeling.

Being the first non-Australian in the Northern Territory to hold this position is a massive barrier to break. What does this moment say about the global potential of Sri Lankan coaches?

Breaking that barrier is significant because many people don’t realise the level of basketball talent and coaching potential we have in Sri Lanka. We have the knowledge and the talent; we just lack the platform and the spotlight. While coaching abroad is often very technical, I believe Sri Lankan coaches bring a unique heart and soul to the game. 

Because we’ve had to overcome so many hurdles, we work twice as hard and put everything into it. This moment proves that when a Sri Lankan is given that one chance to show what they are capable of, we can compete at a global level. It's rough to say now. I think I can't say it in general because for me, I can't talk to a lot of coaches, but I can talk to myself. 

I want to give back to the sport. The sport that brought me up, I want to give back to it. And I know a few other coaches are saying, you know, we just want to see the younger generation grow. It's more of their success that makes us happy than our own success. But bringing it to a global stage. It's the same. Seeing these kids grow, seeing what we can bring towards them, a different eye. I've noticed a lot of coaches in Australia, they're very technical, for sure, and they're very good. But the passion that we bring as Sri Lankans, I guess it's different.

I feel like because we also have to overcome a lot of barriers, we just put a heart and soul into it. We have to work our way, way harder than everyone else. Yeah. I just feel like, in simple terms, as Sri Lankans, we just need the spotlight to grow. That's it. Just that one person to give us the ok. Just that one person to say, yeah, I'm going to give you a chance. And then we show how much we are capable of.

You’ve always told young players to ‘trust the process.’ Looking at where you are standing now, does the process feel complete, or is this just the start of a new chapter?

"Trust the process" is my mantra, but as I’ve grown (I’m turning 30 next year), I’ve realised it’s also about loving the process. When you love what you do, the consistency becomes easier, and the ceiling for what you can achieve keeps rising. Even while balancing a full-time career at KPMG, side jobs, and playing semi-pro, I don’t feel overwhelmed because I’m passionate about this journey. This isn’t the end of my book; it’s just the beginning of a new chapter. I’m excited to represent my country, showcase what I do, and help the next generation fall in love with the sport just like I did.

For the young cagers back in Sri Lanka who are waking up to this news today, what is the one message you want this appointment to send them?

Don’t let where you come from limit where you believe you can go. You don’t need to come from a big country or a famous system to achieve something meaningful. Stay disciplined, stay patient, and keep showing up every single day. Opportunities can come from places you never expected.

You’ve reached a zenith in coaching. Now that you’ve unlocked this door, what is the next big dream you’re aiming for?

I still dream very big. I want to continue growing as a coach internationally, help develop players at the highest level possible, and eventually create pathways for young athletes — especially from Sri Lanka — to access opportunities globally. 

If this journey proves anything, it’s that impossible things can become possible. I want to thank Praneeth Udumalagala for taking me under his wing and giving me the opportunity to start my coaching career at -IImpact Hoop Labs- in Sri Lanka and that led me to being who I am today.

I want people back home to understand that dreams are possible even when life feels overwhelming. I wasn’t handed an easy path. I balanced studies, work, coaching, financial pressure, homesickness, and moments of self-doubt while trying to survive and grow in another country. There were many times nobody saw the sacrifices happening behind the scenes. But I learned that consistency changes lives.

So to every young person reading this: don’t shrink your dreams because of your circumstances. Don’t let fear, rejection, or struggle convince you that you’re not capable. Lock in. Stay focused. Outwork your doubts. Because if a kid from Sri Lanka can make history in Australian basketball, then your goals are possible too.