Havelock Sports Club is a Division 'A' rugby union team based in Sri Lanka that plays in the Dialog Rugby League . The club has a long history and rugby is the club's main sporting activity. The "Havies", as they are commonly known amongst its members, is situated in Colombo and the club's ground is known as Havelock Park. The club has produced some excellent players over the last few decades including Sri Lankan Nationals such as Michael Jayasekera , Hisham Abdeen, Graham Raux, Sanjeewa Jayasinghe and Rajeev Ganapathy. The club has struggled over the last decade to retain its players with their star performers crossing over to more star-powered clubs.
10-528: This has changed with the help of former Sri Lanka, Ceylonese R & FC fly-half Asanga Seneviratne , who is the current head of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union . He has changed the face of Havies Rugby over the last year by helping them find sponsors through companies he controls, which has helped lift the standards of the club on-field and off-field. A new stadium has been built with games being played under lights. Havelocks went on to win
20-540: A 500-seat viewing deck, six corporate boxes, two dressing rooms, an outside bar for members and guests, a bar for members, and a restaurant for members and guests. Past presidents include: The club was the 2013 Plate and Shield Champion in the SLRFU Sevens Tournament . In 2007 it was a runner-up in the Caltex League Tournament , and in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 it
30-648: Is a Division-A rugby union team based in Colombo , Sri Lanka which plays in the Dialog Rugby League . Established in 1922, the club has won the Clifford Cup Knockout Tournament fifteen times, most recently in 2023 . Their nickname is the Red Shirts. The club was founded on 25 September 1922 by Colonel Ernest Henley Joseph . It was the first rugby-only sporting organisation in the country at
40-549: The Ceylon Artillery Volunteer Corps , which was commanded by Col. Joseph. He insisted that the club colours should be the artillery red and blue, and subsequently persuaded the general committee. The club's home ground is CR & FC Grounds . On 29 June 2007 a new pavilion was opened by its primary sponsors, Football Federation of Sri Lanka president Hurley Silveira and Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation CEO David Griffiths. The new building includes
50-569: The 2012 year. They contracted the services of 4 Tongan internationals for the season, namely number 8 Paula Kaho who acted as player-coach, and who was assisted by fellow internationals Hale T-Pole , Daniel Faleafa and Viliami Hakalo (who played for Havelock in 2012). All four represented Tonga in 2013. Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality. Ceylonese Rugby %26 Football Club Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club , also known as CR & FC ,
60-551: The league season in 2012 defeating the Kandy Sports Club , who were the champions for the preceding 10 years. Havelocks have won the Clifford Cup a total of 14 times, with the latest cup victory in 2019 after a drought of 37 years. Havies came out in the 2013 rugby season as one of the favorites to win the title. They were strengthened by the inclusion of some talented school boys and alongside their experienced players from
70-658: The time. It had its roots in the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC), and depended on NCC and Havelock Sports Club for practices and matches during its first four years. Supporters called them the Red Shirts because of their uniform and club colours. Prominent figures in Sri Lankan society participated in the committee at the inaugural Annual General Meeting in 1923, including members of the Schokman, Rockwood, Saravanamutthu, Weinman, and Ondatjie families. The first captain
80-537: Was L. O. Weinman , and the vice-captain was Rajah Hewavitharana . After World War I , the Clifford Cup was re-introduced and the CR & FC lost to the United Services team 3-6. The club flourished over the next few decades, with boys from Trinity College , Royal College , Zahira College , St Peter's College , St Thomas' College , and subsequently Isipathana College representing it with distinction. A new clubhouse
90-465: Was a runner-up in the Dialog Rugby League . The club was a runner-up in the 2008 Clifford Cup and the winner in 1954–1959, 1964–1966, 1987–1989, 2006 and 2023 . It was also the champion of the President's Trophy Knockout Tournament in 1977, 1983, 1990–1994 and 2007. CR %26 FC Grounds Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club Grounds (also known as Longdon Place ) commonly known as CR & FC
100-504: Was opened in December 1964, and the main gate was opened in 1965. The club also maintains a senior Men's Rugby Union team. Features for members include a billiard room, squash courts, lighted tennis courts, a gymnasium, a swimming pool and an indoor badminton court. CR & FC has had a number of its players play for the Sri Lanka national rugby union team . The club colours are those of
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