Anne was one of the finest netball players produced by Sri Lanka

Leslie FERNANDO

Anne Sooriyabandara (nee Talayaratne) holds a unique feat being a double international having represented the country in netball and basketball. She was a top quality player in netball. She possesses an enviable record playing in several cup winning teams. The reliable Goal Keeper Anne has tremendous experience as a netball player and coach.

Her first love was netball at Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena when she was in the grade five and it was Mrs. Celina Perera (nee Jayawardena) who was responsible for Anne's participation.

She was also first coached by Mrs. Perera, Mrs. Cynthia Rasquinho a household name in the netball circles then took in charge of smart goal keeper Anne to become an outstanding netballer.

She played in the juvenile, junior and senior netball teams at Good Shepherd Convent and excelled. Anne was a key member of the Kotahena Convent side and helped the Convent to bag several titles at inter-school tournaments in three levels. Some of her team mates were Thilaka Appaiha who was attached to Times of Ceylon after leaving school,

Indrani Musafer and Leela Wiswarsam. She had the rare honour of representing the Ceylon Schools Netball team which played against the Australian 'Crusaders'. Schools team won all their matches against the Australians.

Some of her team mates were Sita Weerasinghe, Derna Beling and Logi Satchichananda.

While playing for the Convent Anne also turned out for famous Shamrock Netball Club the undisputed netball champions in the club tournaments conducted by the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka.

Anne who tasted success in netball at school and club level joined the Colombo Municipality in 1965 as a playground Instructress. In 1965 CMC won the Government Services Knockout Tournament defeating the defending champions Police SC. CMC played without their best player in Mallika Jayamanne.

The invincible Municipal team had galaxy of star players and won the AllIsland title for 11 years. She bacame Netball Queen in 1967. She played in Goal Keeper's position and on several times she has won awards having being selected in this position.

The Colombo Municipal Netball team toured India in 1966 and Anne was one of the 'star' players who helped the side to win all matches played in Madras.

It should be mentioned that late B.A. Jayasinghe, the sporting Municipal Commissioner extended all support and assistance to the netballers.

Anne's big moment came in 1967 when she represented Ceylon team against Singapore national side. She played a grand game against the visiting team and was largely responsible for Ceylons three nil win. Miss Anee Henderson the Australian Level one netball coach who was here to coach our netballers in 1967 was highly impressed on Anne's performances. She said that Anne was one of the best Goal Keepers she has come across. It was a big compliment made by former Australian agile player.

Mrs. Trixie Jayasuriya was the coach of Ceylon netball team in 1967 and Anne was the first choice for the team to play in the World Tournament in Australia. The other players to name a few were Thomazine Salvador, Anne Edirisinghe, Yasa Ramachandra, Nanda Rodrigo, Anne Kronemberg. Due to financial problems Ceylon team did not make the trip to Australia.

Anne was also a good athlete and brought honour and glory to the Colombo Municipal Council performing well at the Government Services Athletic Championships. She excelled in the javelin and in sprint events.

Basketball

She formed the Pioneer Basketball Club in 1967 and R. Sunderalingam was the coach and later Cosmas Perera handled the side. Anne later played for Ace Basketball Club who became champions for couple of years.

She represented Sri Lanka in basketball at the Nehru Gold Cup Championships in India and in Sri Lanka. Her height was the advantage in both netball and basketball and together her skills and technique were excellent.

Coaching

Anne is a qualified and knowledgeable netball coach. She has coached Elie House Park and Colpetty Playground teams which became playground Champions. She also introduced basketball to Elie House Park girls for the first time. Three of her players Niranjala Corea, Vivian Michella and Geethani represented Sri Lanka in basketball.

The outstanding sportswoman Anne did a yeomen service for the under privileged children in the City of Colombo in sports and community work. Her efforts were commended by former Mayors of Colombo. Anne until she retired from service in 1980 was in charge of 35 pre-schools all over the City of Colombo.

She brought up these pre-schools to international standard. Anne who joined the CMC as a Playground Instructress rose to highest post - Supervising Playground Instructress in charge of pre-schools with a tremendous amount of dedication.

The writer had the chance of working together with Anne in the Colombo Municipality and has been closely associating with her on implementing sports development programs.