Memories at BRC – the number one hockey club in Sri Lanka-by Dennis de Rosayro

On December 26, 1896, the Bambalapitiya Hockey & Football Club was founded by the Burgher community from Bambalapitiya, Colombo South, at a meeting held at the residence of F. J. Foenander, who was elected as Patron. A. W. Raffel and O. H. Poppenbeck was elected as President and Secretary respectively.

On May 31, 1915, the Club changed its name to Burgher Recreation Club (BRC) and its colours changed from ‘Black-Red-Gold to ‘Black-Red-Champagne’. Having joined the Club on March 8, 1954, as a student member, I thought it opportune to recall its hockey history and achievements to the best of my memory and ability, paying tribute to the greats who brought honour to the club and country.

Touching on Internationals before 1950; Fulham Wright, Edward and Carl Kelaart represented Ceylon vs India (Olympic champions) in 1932. V. S. de Kretser (Senior) vs India in 1935.

In 1947, Russell Heyn and Ernie Kelaart played against India in the First Test, with Russell being Captain in the Second Test and playing against Afghanistan along with Ernie Kelaart in 1947.

In the first ever Ceylon Hockey Federation tour to South India in 1953, seven out of the 16 players were from the BRC, namely, Ernie Kelaart (Vice-Captain), Hugh Aldons, Fredrick White, Ivan de Kretser, Vivian de Kretser (Junior), Wally de Zylva and Brindley Stave.

In the 1959/60 historical 42-day tour of North India when Ceylon was ranked No. 6 along with three European Countries, the BRC was represented by Frederick White (Vice-Captain), Ivan de Kretser and Dennis de Rosayro.

Again in 1960 to South India, the BRC representatives were Ivan de Kretser (Captain), Dennis de Rosayro and Derrick Harvie.

The mass exodus of Burghers from 1957 onwards had a lasting impact on both hockey and cricket teams. All but Brindley Stave, Russel Bartels and youngsters Dennis de Rosayro, Anton D’Costa and Malcolm Berenger remained. Fortunately, being the foremost hockey club, meant that many talented and promising youngsters eagerly joined the club.

Derrick Harvie who as a schoolboy from Kingswood College toured South India with the Ceylon team in 1957, joined the club in 1958. In the early 60s, Richard Heyn, along with younger brother David from St. Peter’s College, followed by Thomians from Mount Lavinia, Randolph Morrel and cousin Royce van Twest joined the club along with Spencer Herft, Gerry Jayasuriya, Sam Abeysinghe and brothers Clifford and Franklyn Harvie.

In the mid and late 60s, seasoned Internationals, brothers G. H. Jayatissa and G. H. Rupesinghe, Iqbal Jumar, Tissa Ettipola and national caps, Clifford Rodrigo and Saliya Galagama and national poolist S. Sandarasekaram, making the BRC a very strong and fearful outfit.

The teenagers who joined the club from 1968 onwards blossomed and attained great heights.

I had an important role to play as player and coach of the Women’s teams from 1959 to 1976 and Men’s teams from 1962 to 1976. One must never forget the many players who were unfortunate not to get national caps, such as Russel Bartels, ‘Natty’ Prins, S. Sandrasekeran and David Heyn.

During the golden era from 1975 to 1989, the other outstanding players were Abdul Hamid, A. J. Rumy and M. Rahuman. During the 60s and 70s, players like Malcolm Berenger, Gerry Jayasuriya, S. Rasheed, Raja Atukorala, Clifford, Franklyn and ‘Buster’ Harvie, are names I can remember.

During the period from 1990 to 2019, BRC won the ‘Andriesz Shield’ five times, ‘Pioneer Cup’ six times, ‘Pioneer Shield’ twice and the ‘Bacon Cup’ once.

The Ladies’ hockey section of the BRC was founded in October 1932 with the President of the Club, Dr. V. R. Schokman as Ex-Officio Chairman. From July 1952, this section which had been a separate part of the club with a Constitution of its own, came into the main club.

From the outset the Ladies’ have played a major role and taken a very active interest in the promotion and encouragement of Hockey for Women and Girls’. Dennis de Rosayro took over as Coach from 1957 to 1978 and had a significant role to play.

In fact, through the BRC, he introduced the seven-a-side hockey tournament on November 25, 1961, not only to promote the game but also to encourage the formation of more Ladies’ hockey playing clubs, and there is no doubt that his venture had proved both successful and extremely popular.

In 1968, Rosayro introduced the ‘Juriansz Challenge Cup’ for ‘B’ Division clubs and schools. In 1981, this tournament was only for school teams.