Bandarawela St. Joseph’s coaching clinic a success

The Old Boys Association of St. Joseph’s College Bandarawela organised a cricket coaching clinic with the intention of improving the standard of cricket in the school. Cricket at the school has seen a drop in the recent past and the association, along with the past cricketers, have got together to organise this two-day clinic.

The clinic was attended by famous sport journalist and cricket coach Ranjan Paranavithana, who spent his valuable time in giving the youngsters a flip up. In fact school cricket at junior level was completely in disarray here and with the clinic attended by young cricketers of all ages amounting to 150 is sure to improve the standard at the school.

Paranavithana is presently the coach of Premier League Club Baduaraliya. Before this stint at club he has served as the coach for St. Aloysius College Galle, Sebastianites SC, Chilaw Marians SC, and Galle CC, and also as the coach of the MAS Active team playing in the Mercantile ‘A’ Division Cricket Tourney.

Paranavithana said that the cricketers of Bandarawela are very interested in the game and the only need is proper guidance, which he is prepared to lend, time permitting.

Principal of St. Joseph’s Bandula Wijesundera speaking on the occasion thanked Paranavithana for coming forward to help the cricketers in the school. He added that all necessary steps would be taken to promote junior cricket in the school as it was the need of the hour.

“This is a must as it will be the stepping stone to produce good cricketers to play in the first XI tem. In the recent past the first XI tem failed as there was no junior team in action for the school for few years, which has been a setback,” said the Principal. Provincial Coach Chaminda Kodikara and District Coach Priyantha Weragoda too were present along with the Master-in-Charge Dishan Manawadu, who was glad to associate with an experienced coach of the calibre of Paranavithana.