After an eventful season in 2024/25 the lads from Havelock Sports Club in their ‘pink shirts’ who finished as second best to eventual champions Kandy Sports Club are eyeing long lost glory to taste the Inter-Club League Championship glory since Henry Terence guided the Park Club in 2012 where they broke a 31-year hoodoo and broke Kandy's dominance. 

Down the memory lane 

The 110 year old club has seen many greats of the game walk through its portals during the good and bad times. It was the stepping stone to arguably one the greatest players Sri Lanka has ever produced, the legendary Hisham Abdeen.

In the Havelock SC Golden Jubilee Souvenir of 1965, Past President A. Sivaramakrishnan’s message states: “One of the most endearing traits that has remained fundamental to the founding tenets is the fact that politics, religion, race, ethnicity, and any other division have no place in the club’s idea of sportsmanship.” 

The message goes on to say: “We were one of the first clubs, way back in 1923, to ensure that Ceylonese sportsmen gained their rightful place in our membership, in a general milieu where Europeans held dominance. Those fundamental values remain ingrained into our club’s psyche even today because we believe that sports can be a uniting factor on any platform. It’s not whether anyone wins or loses, it’s how we play the game, and that’s what we intend to take to the next century and beyond.”

Twenty-seven schoolboys from Havelock Town led by Roy Joachim decided to form a club with the sole purpose of playing some friendly rugby in 1915. Although there was no constitution, no office bearers, no material, and even no ground, the boys had a vision to foster camaraderie. 

With a foundation set by Joachim, the Havelocks were built on principles of camaraderie and sportsmanship, and in 1920, they entered competitive rugby. Today, after 110 years of producing outstanding sportspeople, the club yearns for silverware as the Havies faithful await a league crown for the first time since 2012.   

The 1960s and ’70s were golden decades for the club, winning nine league titles (1961, ’63, ’64, ’67, and ’68, and 1970, ’74, ’76, and ’77). 

It is also reported that on 12 September 1907, the first international rugby union match played in Ceylon was held at Havelock Park between the New Zealand All Blacks and an all-Ceylon team.

During the 2023/’24 season, the Havelocks under Azmir Fajudeen had to be satisfied with a third place in the league and ended as runners-up in the Clifford Cup Knockouts. 

A look into the current Havies outfit 

For the 2025/26 season, Sandesh Jayawickrama has been entrusted with the club's leadership. A former St. Peter's College Captain (2016) and Junior National Tusker, Sandesh made his mark in club rugby with Police Sports Club soon after school before joining Havelocks in 2018. Over seven incredible seasons, he has earned a reputation as a dependable utility back and natural leader, serving as Vice-Captain for the past two years.

Another experienced and youthful player Janindu Fernando will be the Vice-captain. Havies has also invested in a vast pool of fresh schoolboy talent from Isipathana, S. Thomas’, Sri Sumangala Kandy and Wesley Colleges which has added fresh energy to the squad. In the meantime ex-Thomian star Yehan Bulathsinghalage has crossed over from Police SC whilst Udesh Madushanka and Nisal Chamuditha have joined after their stint with CH&FC at Maitland Crescent.

Saliya Kumara will once again take charge as Head Coach and will be assisted by Anuranga Walpola who will also be in-charge of the forwards, with veteran Sunimal Manamperi taking care of the all important strength and conditioning in the trainer's role.

Havelock SC has made the venue as one of the oldest and most respected clubs in the country. The Park Club's contribution to Sri Lanka rugby extends far beyond individual players and has stayed a people's club amidst the hustle and bustle of Colombo. 

Havelocks SC : fixtures (1st Round)

14th Nov. 

Drew 31-31 vs. Navy SC

22nd Nov. 

Beat Siri Lions 42-11

28th Nov. @Havelock Park 

Vs. Army SC

05th Dec. @Police Park 

Vs. Police SC 

19th Dec. @Havelock Park 

Vs. Air Force SC

2nd Jan. @Longden Place

Vs. CR&FC

9th Jan. @Havelock Park 

Vs. CH&FC 

18th Jan. @Nittawela

Vs. Kandy SC 

•Courtesy from www.themorning.lk

https://www.themorning.lk/articles/L7E7Z3fJUbT0ktxKXN96