Nethmi Poorna a budding cricketer from Wadduwa Central
Saparamadu Merenage Nethmi Poorna Senarathne one of the most outstanding cricket players of the Kalutara district is a multi talented ordinary level student who has achieved many milestones in education and sports at the Wadduwa central college. She has reached school and national level achievements and brought honour and fame to her parents and to her school. Nethmi was born on April 27th 2005, as the eldest child to parents Saparamadu Merenage Athula Sanjeewa Senarathne and Illapperuma Tharanga Priyadhrshani Habaragahalanda. She has a younger sister S.M. Dahami Vimasha Senarathne.
Nethmi joined Wadduwa, Molligoda Primary school in January, 2010. After her primery education she was shifted to Wadduwa Central College in 2016. Her sporting talent was recognized by the school principal S.D.N. Gunarathe, teacher in charge of sports and physical education Anusha Weeramanthri and school sports coach Dhanushka Ranmuthu Parera.
She started her sports career as a cricketer and excelled at school, divisional, zonal, district, provincial and national level. Apart from this she participated in school and divisional levels several team sports like Volleyball, Ella and 100m, 200m and 400 metres running events.
Nethmi started playing cricket in 2016 and proved her skills in every game which she participated. Her first tournament was Panadura division All Island School Girls Cricket Championship – 2016. however her school did not shine in the tournament. But in 2017 the Wadduwa C.C. team advanced to the quarter finals. In 2018 and 2019 they reached the semi finals due to their perseverance and hard work. In 2020/2021 Wadduwa Central College girls cricket team emerged runner up in the All Island School Girls Cricket Tournament with a big contribution from Nethmi and she was honoured at the 43rd Sunday Observer-SLT Mobitel school Cricekter of the Year award ceremony as she won Best Schoolgirl Cricketer of the Year, Best All-rounder and Best Batswoman trophies.
During a first round match of the competition she scored 197 runs (not out) off just only 86 ball’s against Okkampitiya wijeyabahau vidyalya and created a school level record. She also captured 13 wickets and contributed with two 50’s in this season.
Nethmi said; “I love cricket so much but the most important thing is our family. Due to Covid-19 pandemic our sports activities were restricted for a long time. It is very sad that we missed our training sessions and matches. Lack of proper training and limited sports resources found in our school were detrimental to the progress of my sports career,” said Nethmi.
She also said that if better training facilities and assistance are available her ambition is to joining the national team and showcase talent and bring pride to the school and motherland at the national and international level.