Dushanth Lewke who led Royal College to their third consecutive inter-school league rugby championship will be the cynosure of all eyes as head coach of CR and FC for the upcoming inter-club season.
The former Royal College vice captain and number eight who captained CR & FC and Sri Lanka will now have to take up the challenge of resurrecting the fortunes of his former club that went through a lean period last season.
Lewke coached the Sri Lanka Under 19 team in 2018 and functioned as CR’s strength and conditioning coach for the past three years.
“We have the youngest and most inexperienced team in the upcoming 2020 league rugby tournament. It’s a massive task to coach them. Also it’s the 100th year of CR rugby. So we have to do our best for the club.
“Hopefully the CR faithful fans will be patient with this young side, as it’s a long term plan.
“I am focused on developing this team to be a formidable outfit for the future and I will also surely develop the team culture” said Lewke.
The club is elated and believes they have found the right man for the job of redeeming lost glory.
“Dushanth Lewke is a good head coach and has a very good knowledge of these young players. He knows the school leavers very well and has an in-depth understanding of talent. CR & FC I believe has a very young side.
“Some of the key players have left our club sadly, but we have to groom the young players in our squad.
“So if they work really hard, then obviously they can achieve success in the years to come as retention (of players) is the key. I think it is a very big challenge for CR, but will wait and see” said former CR captain and club president Christopher Jordashe.
Isipathana College and Sri Lanka half back Kavindu de Costa will lead the CR outfit in the upcoming 2020 rugby season.
Incidentally it will be a tremendous record for the Costa family as his two elder brothers Lasintha and Ashan also previously captained CR & FC.