Air Force signs 15 school-leavers

• Air Force Sports Club have boosted their squad by signing 15 school-leavers ahead of the Inter-Club League Rugby Tournament.

Although they have had a good run in the recent years, they have never really threatened to break into the top but the Airmen have opted to put their faith in young blood moving forward.

“We haven’t signed any club players but we have approximately 15 school players from last season covering D. S
Senanayake College, Science College and many more. We are proud to have Sehanda Umagiliyage (Captain of D. S. Senanayake College) making his entry into club-level rugby through the Air Force,” Manager and Assistant Secretary, Air Force Rugby, Squadron Leader Chathuranga Eleperuma told the Daily Mirror.

Rumesh Wasantha, who has been one of Air Force SC’s most senior players has been named as the Captain for the upcoming season with Saraka Warella and Pramod Pathmasanka set to be the two Vice-Captains of the squad.

“We have Rumesh Wasantha as the Captain and two experienced Vice-Captains Saraka Werella and Pramod Pathmasanka. We are confident that this combination and experience will work well on the field,” added Eleperuma.

The Airmen will look to rely on their ‘pack’, which includes Wasantha, Manuka Perera, Niroshan Rajanayake, Isuru
Jayarathne, Nilantha Jayaweera, Parakrama Rathnayake, Nirmal Wickramasinghe, Shashika Fernando as well as Werella.

The Air Force SC backline consists of very experienced players who have performed well at top level for years - such as fly half Gayantha Iddamalgoda, who has been one of the key members in that Air Force SC backline for many years.

He will be supported by the likes of Ishara Madusanka, Pathmasanka, Sudath Bandara and Darshana Dabare.

Air Force SC have put their faith on Asela Deshapariya for another season having recruited him as the Head Coach last season.

“We have Asela Deshappriya as the Head Coach for the second consecutive season and he has got Air Force SC’s very own Ranuka Medagedara as the Assistant Coach.”

“We also have Air Force SC product Charith Seneviratne as the Kicking Coach.

Supported by Air Force trainers and physiotherapists. The Air Force Sports Management has confidence in our in-house coaches and of course with Asela’s expertise, it becomes a phenomenal combination which we have a lot of hope” revealed Eleperuma.

Having performed well in the Plate competition last few years, the Airmen target a ‘top four’ finish.

“If you take the past three seasons, Air Force were able to walk away with trophies in the Plate segment being the Plate runnerup twice and Plate Championship once.”

“We understand that we have nine teams this season and with the experience and hard work of the coaching staff, the management and most importantly the players, we are aiming a top four finish this year,” he said.