My memories of the BURGHER RECREATION CLUB – The Number 1 Hockey Club from 1932 to Date – By Dennis de Rosayro
Perhaps inspired by the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, the 1st Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896.
The very same year on 26th December 1896 in tiny Ceylon, the Bambalapitiya Hockey & Football Club was founded by the Burgher community from Bambalapitiya, Colombo South, at a meeting held at the residence of Mr. F.J. Foenander, who was elected as Patron. Mr. A.W. Raffel and Mr. O.H. Poppenbeck were elected as President and Hony Secretary, respectively.
On 31st May 1915, the Club changed its name to Burgher Recreation Club and its colours changed from “Black-red-Gold” to “Black-Red-Champagne”.
Thus, the B.R.C. completed 125 years on 26 December 2021.
My visit to my beloved club on that evening, with my wife and extended family gave me immense joy and happiness which brought back unforgettable and wonderful memories.
The current President and Hony Secretary are, Mr. Lasith Nanayakkara and Mrs. Susan Brohier, respectively, and the Patron is Mr. Dennis de Rosayro.
Having joined the Club on 8th March 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 vs. India in the 1st Test, with Russell being Captain in the 2nd Test and also playing vs. Afghanistan along with Ernie Kelaart in 1947. Also in 1947, Hugh Aldons, Wally de Zylva and ‘Bob’ Bartels played vs. India.
I had the privilege of playing alongside Ernie, Hugh and Wally.
In the first ever Ceylon Hockey Federation tour to South India in 1953, 7 out of the 16 players were from the B.R.C., namely, Ernie Kelaart (Vice Captain), Hugh Aldons, Fredrick White, Ivan de Kretser, Vivian de Kretser (Junior), Wally de Zylva and Brindley Stave.
In 1957, to South India, the B.R.C. was represented by Hugh Aldons (Captain), Ivan de Kretser, Frederick White, Brindley Stave and youngsters, Dennis de Rosayro and Derrick Harvie.
In the 1959/60 historical 42 day tour of North India when Ceylon was ranked No. 6 along with 3 European Countries by none other than Dhyan Chand, the B.R.C. was represrnted by Frederick White (Vice Captain), Ivan de Kretser and Dennis de Rosayro.
Again in 1960 to South India, the B.R.C. representatives were Ivan de Kretser (Captain), Dennis de Rosayro and Derrick Harvie.
The mass exodus of Burghers from 1957 onwards had a lasting impact to 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 school boy from Kingswood College toured South India with the Ceylon team in 1957, joined the club in 1958.
In the early Sixties, Richard Heyn an imposing Full Back, along with younger brother David from St, Peter’s College, Colombo, followed by Thomians from Mt. 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 Sixties, 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 B.R.C. 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.
Mervin Preena entered my hockey world in 1968 as a 14 year old schoolboy from Issipathana College.
When I was conducting my coaching sessions every Sunday from 9 am to 11 am for the United Youngsters Hockey Club, Kotahena, at the De Mel Park, Colombo 2, Mervin’s father approached me during a break and requested whether Mervin could attend, and left him in my care. This study bright-eyed youngster looked a picture of fitness – virtually “ready to go”. Soon after he became a Student Member of the B.R.C. A model student he was in deed a prodigy. In 1971 within 3 years, he was selected as a 17 year old to tour North India with the Ceylon Team. The Manager was none other than Chandra Schaffter who would have given Mervin many an exposure to play in the 14 match itinerary. His distinguished career began in 1970 until 1983, captaining the B.R.C. team in 1974.
As Centre Forward, Mervin mastered the Indian art of dribbling. Many a time deceiving his opponents with ‘head on’ dribbling, side stepping both ways at full speed, resulting in many spectacular goals.
In 1970, elder brother “Otto’ joined the Club as a 18 year old also from Issipathana College.
In full flow as a right Extreme, he dazzled the spectators with his deft stick work and body swerves at full speed. He would outrun any defence and when encountered display an array of deceptive passes for his team mates to hit the boards.
Apart from a very few, all players joined the Club at a very young age. Compulsory practices and coaching were conducted very Monday, Wednesday and Friday and attendance and times were maintained, which was a criteria for match selection, which was highly competitive; but this great bunch of players and others that followed never faulted. In fact they would further tone their skills on Tuesdays and Thursdays and even on Sunday mornings, such was their dedication and passion for the game. Therefore, it was no surprise to me when 9 out of 16 selected for the 1978 Asian Games was from the 1976 ‘A’ and ‘B’ squads, namely, Sarath Serasinghe (24) (Captain), Mohamed Jahn (24), B.M.R.. Preena (24) A.K.H. Preena (26), M.F.M. Razeen (22), M. Fawzi (22), Lalith Wijesekera (23), M.M. Hallaj (20), and S.H.M. Kuthubdeen (18). Ishak Sahabdeen (21) the 10th player who joined the Club in 1977. S.H.U. Karnain (13) was selected for the 1st Asia Cup in Karachi in 1982 along with Mervin Preena (Vice Captain).
So by 1978, most of the top 16 players were very experienced and played together for a decade or so, and only had to be guided. S. Sandrasekeran was of immense assistance in this regard and more so, when he became President from 1981 to 1093. Otto and Mervin Preena were Hockey Secretaries at one time or the other and with Jhan, Serasinghe and A.J. Rumy in the fold, the Hockey Section thrived.
These players paved the way for the B.R.C. to win 34 Trophies between 1976 to 1989. It was indeed the glory era, that undoubtedly enabled the club to hold its position as the Number One Hockey Club in Hockey.
The others who significantly contributed were A.J. Rumy, Abdul Hamid, Muhalareen Jaldin, S. Manoraj, Kumar de Silva, Ananda de Silva and Shiran Massaron.
SUMMING UP TO 1989
The B.R.C.. vs. Old Bens encounters from 1962 to 1989 drew vast crowds with Old Bens dominating from 1965 to 1975 and B.R.C. from 1976 to 1989. The Sri Lankan teams were dominated by players from both teams.
The matches produced hockey of the highest class.
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 Sixties and Seventies, players like Malcolm Berenger, Gerry Jayasuriya, S. Rasheed, Raja Atukorala, Clifford, Franklyn and ‘Buster’ Harvie, are names I can remember.
Our ‘B’ team also won many trophies and names like Brian Forbes, Peter Bartholomeusz, Raja Van Twest, Quintin Wright, ‘Kutcho’ Perera, J. Strover, M. Cassim, S.K. Weerakoon, Ronald Berenger and Melvin Bartholomeusz were stalwarts for many a decade.
PERIOD 1990 – 2019
During this period, we won the ‘Andriesz Shield’ 5 times, ‘Pioneer Cup’ 6 times, “Pioneer Shield’ 2 times, and the “Bacon Cup’ once.
BRIEF HISTORY OF LADIES HOCKEY
The Ladies Hockey Section of the Burgher Recreation Club 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.
In spite of several outstanding players emigrating in the fifties and Sixties, the Club continued to participate in all tournaments conducted by the Sri Lanka Women’s Hockey Association.
Mr. Dennis de Rosayro took over as Coach from 1957 to 1978, and had a significant role to play.
In fact through the B.R.C., he introduced the 7-a-side Hockey tournament on 25th November 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.
The ‘Ingram Challenge Cup’ was an All-Island invitation Hockey tournament, opened to all ‘A’ Division teams.
In 1968, Mr. Rosayro introduced the ‘Juriansz Challenge Cup’ for ‘B’ Division clubs and schools. In 1981, this tournament was only for School teams.
From 1961 to 1981, for the ‘Ingram Trophy’, the B.R.C. emerged winners 10 times, Ceylonese Ladies Hockey Club 5 times, Colombo H & F.C., Baptist Mission School, Matale and Kandy Whites, two each.The Club had many successes participating in the ‘Wynne Hones’ League tournament conducted by the Colombo Hockey Association.
Enid Reimers, Enid ‘Gilly’ Fernando and Claire de Kretser were the seniors in the contingent having represented the club and Ceylon before Dennis took over.
Gilly was an outstanding sports woman, having captained Ceylon both in Hockey and Cricket. A very humble lady, she volunteered to play for B.R.C. ‘C’ team for the ‘Ingram Challenge Cup’ in 1965. Although a veteran Centre Forward, I would have played her in the ‘A’ Team.
Hugh Aldons a triple International in Hockey, Rugger and Cricket told me that Enid Reimers was a fearful Full Back and both Gilly and Enid were fit to play for the Mens’ team.
INTERNATIONALS
Enid ‘Gilly’ Fernando
1956 – vs. India (Captain)
- Scotland (Captain)
1960 – vs. India (5 Tests)
Enid Reimers
1956 – vs. India
- Scotland
Hyacinth de Kretser
1956 – vs. India
- Scotland
Claire de Kretser
1960 – vs. India (5 Tests)
1962 – vs. India (3 Tests)
Deana Beling
1960 – vs. India (2 Tests)
1962 – vs. India (3 Tests)
Cissy Pinto
1960 – vs. India (2 Tests)
1962 – vs. India (1 Test)
Hyacinth Atwell
1960 – vs. India (5 Tests)
1962 – vs. India (3 Tests)
Charmaine Boulton
1967 – vs. India (3 Tests)
1968 – Asian Women’s Hockey Championships – New Delhi
Jill de Kretser
1967 – vs. India (3 Tests)
1968 – Asian Women’s Hockey Championships – New Delhi
1969 – vs. Singapore (3 Tests)
Manel Wijekoon
1968 – Asian Women’s Hockey Championships – New Delhi
1969 – vs. Singapore (3 Tests)
Carmen Impett
1968 – Asian Women’s Hockey Championships – New Delhi
Dawn Harvie
1969 – vs. Singapore (Vice Captain) (3 Tests)
Maya Weerasinghe
1971 – vs. U.S.A.
- Scotland
- Wales
Marlene Marchado
1971 – vs. England (2 Tests)
1974 – Asian Women’s Hockey Championships, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Dec. 1975/Jan. 1976 – International Hockey Tournament – Madras, India
Sherine Edirisinghe
1974 – Asian Women’s Hockey Championships, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Dec. 1975/Jan. 1976 – International Hockey Tournament – Madras, India
NATIONAL PLAYERS (vs. INDIAN STATE TEAMS)
1967 – Dawn Harvie, Jill de Kretsr
1968 – Frances Crusz, Roshni Scott, Carmen Impett
1979 – Jennifer Todd, Petite Dias, Marlene Marchado, Roshni Scott
After a mass exodus of players from 1957 onwards, most of the very young girls joined from Bishops College, Ladies College, St. Paul’s Milagiriya, Holy Family Convent, St.Claire’s Convent and from Methodist College, Colpetty.
Those outstanding players who migrated were Gilly Fernando, Hyacinth and Claire de Kretser, Carmen Impett, Deana Beling, Hyacinth Atwell, Charmaine Boulton, Jill de Kretser, Dawn Harvie, Jennifer Todd, Roshini Scott, Petite Dias and Jean Rabot.
Other talented players were Larraine Mc Heyzer, Shiela Hoffman, Jennifer Rabot, Lyzbeth Anthoniesz, Pamela Alexander, Dalrene Ferdinands, Nilufer Sellayah, Gillian Mack and Debra Silva.
The outstanding players who remained were, Cissy Pinto, Frances Crusz, Sherene Colombage, Nimal Ettipola, Manel Wijekoon and Marlene Machado. A host of youngsters joined the club from 1962 and with rigid coaching and very regular practices, the ladies won several trophies.
Those who played in the winning teams and since emigrated were, Romaine de Zilva, Jean Gibson, Jennifer Rankine, Delrene Boustead, Rosemary Forbes, Geraldine and Rhonda Harvie, Alison Berman, Fiona Joachim, Coralie Barsenbach and Doreen Wijemanne.
In Sri Lanka, are Myrna Perera. Zarina Nagoor, Helene de Rosayro, Sherine Saranapala, Olivia Gomes, Nilufer Sellayah, Carmen Santiago and Claudette Soranaretnam, among others.
From the time Dennis joined the Club in 1954 till he stepped down in 1978, the Hockey pitch was laid out every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with the whole ground available for skilled exercises and training.
In fact, the organised practice matches and coaching even on Sundays early morning from 7.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. before the commencement of cricket matches. Only practice can make you perfect, was his motto.
He emphasises that all his students were excellent learners who also sacrificed a lot to attain the required standards.
Also being the 2nd most senior active ‘A’ Division player since 1954, after Ivan de Kretser and General Secretary from 1962 to 1975, and only Vice President in 1976 under the incomparable Russell Heyn who was the President from 1965 to 1975, Dennis had much clout to make Hockey the No. 1 sport in the Club.
Dennis de Rosayro
August 2022.
