Niroshan leads Sri Lanka Youth team to Hong Kong

Isipatana skipper Niroshan Fernando has been picked to lead the Sri Lanka under 20 team at the Youth Rugby Asiad in Hong Kong from September 5 to 13, 2009.

Fernando with five other Isipathanians - Srinath Sooriyabandara, Migara Madugalle, Dinusha Chathuranga, Sajith Saranga and Vishwamithra Jayasinghe also represented the Sri Lanka Under 20 team at the Youth Rugby Asiad in Busan, South Korea last year. The team was captained by Dinusha Chathuranga.

Nineteen year old Niroshan Fernando first played for Piliyandala central in the Under 13 tournaments before joining Isipatana. He has represented Isipatana in the Under 15, 17 and 19 age groups playing a key role in their success.

Having started the season in his pet position of fly-half he shifted to the centre berth and played with much success with his booming kicks to touch giving them territorial advantage.

Under his leadership they entered the final of the milo knock-out tournament in which they went down fighting to S. Thomas' by 19-22. Niroshan also led Isipatana to victory in the schools under 19 seven-a-side tournament.

At the conclusion of the schools season Niroshan joined the Air Force with several other talented schoolboys and they should help Air Force to regain their past glory in rugby.