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| Wednesday, 19 January 2005 |
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Appreciation : 'Jackie' Van Twest - an athletic coach par excellence It is with a deep sese of sorrow, I record the passing away of our teacher and coach, George Alexander Van Twest on 2nd January, 2005 after a brief illness. 'Jackie' as he was affectionately known was born on 15th December, 1928 and had a brilliant career at St. Sylvester's College, Kandy where he excelled in both studies and sports. He won the 440 yards at the Public Schools' meet held in 1946. At that meet, two of his great friends who also became top sports administrators and coaches, Harry Jayawardena (St. Joseph's) won the High Jump and the late Carlton Seneviratne (St. Peter's) was placed third in the Long Jump. After passing the Senior Schools Certificate examination with distinction, Van Twest Joined St. Peter's College for higher studies. He entered the University of Ceylon and obtained a degree in Bachelor of Arts. After a short stint as a teacher at St. Anthony's College, Katugastota, he joined the tutorial staff of St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya in 1954 when Rev. Father Basil A. Weeratunga was the Rector. He taught History, Geography and Economics to the University Entrance students. Van Twest was also appointed coach of the College athletics team and met with instant success. He produced some top athletes who went on to win Public Schools and National titles. Some of them were Roger Wright (Throws). Felix Schockman (Pole Vault), S. Nadanasabapathy (Javelin), Ranjith Wijeysekera (Sprints), Ranjith Weerasena (Discus), Errol de Silva (Discus and Javelin), Desmond Moras (Sprints), Gunatileke Brothers, Andrew and Godfrey (Sprints), W.W. Tambimuttu (Sprints), Kevin Ruberu (Throws), Didacus de Almeida (Pole Vault and Javelin). Ranjith Weerasena who first won the national discus title as a schoolboy in 1959 successfully defended the title for ten consecutive years. In 1957, a blunder by the Referee in the Javelin throw, deprived St.Peter's of winning the coveted trophy. Errol de Silva who had gone over the Public Schools' record in every outing was the favourite to win the event. But Errol had two foul throws and in the third round, he did not go all out but threw the Javelin to qualify for the final round and was lying fourth at the end of the preliminary rounds. Although the practice those days was that the first four in the field events qualify for the final round, the Referee surprisingly decided that only the first three would qualify for the final round. So Errol who was expected to win the event with a new record could not qualify for the final round. Finally Royal College won the Tarbat Cup defeating St. Peter's by three points. Ranjith Samarasekera (St. Anthony's Katugastota) won the event. In 1966 Van Twest left St. Peter's and proceeded to Nigeria for employment and returned in 1968. After that, he was employed at J Walter Thompson, Reckit and Colmans and finally at Glaxo Ltd, from where he retired and formed his own Company, Quest Advertising where he served as its Managing Director. He was the Assistant Secretary of the Public Schools' Athletic Association and was an Official of the Schools team which toured Australia in 1960. His two friends Harry Jayawardena and the Late Carlton Seneviratne and he were founder members of the Ceylonese Track and Field Club (C.T.& F.C.) and Van Twest was its first Treasurer. His son, Jan, (present General Manager/ Director of Tangerine Beach Hotel and Royal Palm Hotel, Kalutara) too followed the footsteps of his illustrious father and was a 400 metres champion at St, Peter's. Undoubtedly, he was one of the most knowledgeable and greatest coaches the country had, although he gave up coaching after leaving St. Peter's. What I learnt from him, helped me to become a successful athletic coach. In my early days of coaching, I used to get his advice. I was able to produce national champions in every event except Pole Vault and Hurdles as we did not have those equipment at the training grounds, and also international athletes. When I was employed at the Telecommunications Dept's Regional Office in Badulla, for two years, I was able to produce three national champions the late Col. G.H. Ariyaratne, M.A. Abeyratne and R. V. Weerasundara. Although Van Twest is no more, he will be remembered by his pupils and friends as a gentleman to the last word. - Dunstan Fernando |
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