Professional Change at the Rugby Union
Asanga Seneviratne, President of the SLRFU, said that the Union
members have approved the appointment of "Alastair Saverimutto" in the
position of Chief Executive Officer, and an employment contract has been
signed to secure his long-term services.
Asanga said, "This is a very exciting time for the SLRFU and all our
member associates, as we embrace a truly professional era both on and
off-the-field. Alastair brings a wealth of experience and expertise to
the Union and he has already implemented positive change across keys
areas of the operation.
I am extremely honoured to have accepted this executive position and
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Seneviratne and his
Union members for their faith in my appointment. The future presents an
incredible opportunity for our players to step up into a full-time
professional world, and for Sri Lankan and Internationally recognizable
Brands to partner us on our journey in becoming Asia's number one rugby
playing nation. Alastair also wanted to stress that he and his team are
also in the planning activation stages of launching the new SLRFU.com
Website, and an exciting new "E-Newsletter" and SLRFU Supports Rewards
Programme. Sign-up on the new SLRFU.com website and "Be a Tusker!"
Seneviratne is delighted to also announce that following the
unanimous decision from his Union members to embrace full-time
professional rugby on-the-field, the Internationally acclaimed High
Performance trio of Phil Greening (SLRFU High Performance Manager), Ryan
Gibney (SLRFU Head of Strength & Conditioning), and Craig White (Former
Head of Performance for the British Lions and current IRB High
Performance Consultant), is helping set up the high performance
department and build the National Teams new performance monitoring
program and elite standards.
Phil Greening, Head of the new SLRFU High Performance Department
said, "Its an exciting period for Sri Lanka Rugby and we will be
continuing the work in the Asian five nations and now giving Sri Lanka
rugby the infrastructure and professionalism to go forward and cement
itself as one of Asia's leading teams in three years. We will be central
contracting players and working with clubs to provide a high performance
environment. We will also be building on the great schools rugby we have
by producing a pathway to the national team by starting an Elite
National Academy. This will give us the foundation for the future and
the young talent the guidance and pathway to fulfill their potential. We
also want to educate and develop all rugby in Sri Lanka giving a wider
base for development. We will also be developing Sri Lanka Coaches and
this is a integral part of my plan for the high performance department
and the reason I have accepted the role."
The SLRFU has confirmed that it will be announcing the first National
Training Squad on Monday 8th July following player performances at the
2nd leg of the Carlton 7s.
This squad will attend a 4-day intensive Training Camp in Colombo
between the 10th to the 14th July, and will be introduced to a new World
Class Physical Conditioning and Testing and Monitoring Programme.
An open day for ALL media and public to take sight of the new
training regime has been organised for Saturday 14th July from 10am -
venue Havelock Sports Ground.
The calendar of National Training Camps has already been intricately
planned in the build-up to the Elite A5N's 2015 Rugby World Cup
Qualification Tournament in April 2014.
The SLRFU said that Craig White and Ryan Gibney will be holding
seminars to Schools and Clubs on both conditioning for youth players,
and conditioning for the modern day senior professional player.
Clubs Seminar: Thursday 11th July, 5pm - 7pm at "Sports Ministry"
Schools Seminar: Friday 12th July, 2pm - 4pm at "Sports Ministry"
Key to adopting professionalism on-the-field is the SLRFU's bold
decision to contract an Elite National Squad of 40 Players to the Union,
thus affording the HP Team maximum time to work with the squad, whilst
also reducing the club's financial exposure it has with their elite
player salaries. The communications between the SLRFU and the Clubs in
achieving such a milestone is at an advanced stage, and it is
anticipated that these contracts will be signed in the coming months. |
