Abdeen RFA team for Bangkok

The Hisham Abdeen Rugby Football Academy, Under 18 team has been extended with an invitation to participate in the 100th anniversary celebrations of Vajiravudh College, Bangkok.

It is indeed a privilege for this newest rugby academy in Colombo to be invited to take part in this historic tournament with teams from New Zealand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and Korea confirmed to participate. This rare opportunity would give HARFA students much needed exposure at an early stage and would create an ideal launching pad for their rugby future.

It was two years ago this concept of a rugby academy was conceived by Hisham Abdeen and former National player, Captain Isipathana College and Sri Lanka Navy, Comdr H K Sisira (rtd) together with Ivo Keerthipala, Co-ordinator Isipathana Rugby 2005-2006 and his wife Jenny Abdeen, who is the Director Administration, thereby fulfilling a long cherished dream of Hisham Abdeen, the objective was to provide a stage for kids and young adults to learn the initial skills of rugby football correctly and then to develop them with diligent practice, under the guidance of professionals who have played the game at a high level.

According to Director Coaching, Hisham Abdeen, Rugby being a contact/collision activity, it is imperative that coaches are properly qualified and work according to a prepared scheme and program, with the clear objective of inculcating in the students, that while winning is important the more important standard in the manner in which winning is achieved, and the quality of rugby being played. To win playing skills and cohesive rugby with all the players being fully involved is the ultimate goal of HARFA.

HARFA during its short period of two years has been able to train boys and girls from 8-18 and over. Their Coaches cater to absolute beginners, and courses are available for intermediate and upper intermediate students. Customized courses for school teams, provincial and development teams are also undertaken. Individual skills refinement and enhancement courses for advanced students are offered after an evaluation by Hisham Abdeen personally.

HARFA coaching team includes former national players such as Marco de Silva, Tony Wimalasuria and also veteran coach Kamal Jayawardena assisted by former Sri Lanka ladies team captain Herosha Fernando together with junior coaches Kamil and Reza.

HARFA under 21 ‘A’ team won the Cup Championship and ‘B’ team Shield runners up, in the recently concluded Western Province Seven-a-Side rugby tournament organised by the Western Province Rugby Football Union.

HARFA under 10 and 12 teams too participated in the Western Province invitation Seven-a-side tournament held recently and fared with distinction by winning three out of four games.