Team work and fitness key to the success of HFC, Kurunegala, says coach Amalka
Winning all four age group titles at a single Milo Netball Schools Championship is not an easy task while emerging overall champions for 13 years in a row is a tremendous achievement said champion Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala Netball coach Amalka Gunatilleke in an exclusive interview with the Daily News after the Milo schools All Island Netball Championship presentation ceremony at Wennappuwa.
We had difficulties especially due to Global pandemic and resumed our training after two years and worked hard to come back strongly. Actually team commitment and fitness is the key to our success and we had to work hard for players fitness both physically and mentally which are two very important areas to focus in this sport said the dedicated coach Amalka Gunatilleke who was recently appointed as the National Junior Netball coach.
As a coach we can’t give everything to the players. We have to get close to the players and always have to identify their requirements. I think parents , Past Pupils Association (OGA) Principal, Deputy Principal and entire staff gave maximum support while my players’ parents supported the teams. My trainer Ananda Wannitilleka the former National Volleyball skipper played the biggest role to develop the teams. Ananda is my husband but as a strength and conditioning coach he gave his best. He always tried to develop the endurance and power of the players.
The coach can provide basic and techniques to develop the skills. But Wannitilleka gave more than what was expected from him. He really worked hard for the players discipline, nutrition and mental fitness. He has ability to co-ordinate with the players and my role is very easy to give basic knowledge and skills development training. Myself and Wannitilleka have good co-ordination. It is very difficult to handle the under 13,15 teams unlike the under 17 and under 19 teams. We have a good set up from the junior level who always follow seniors and we have to give proper guidance said Amalka Gunatilleke.
I have a big challenge as National junior coach. I have proved my ability and my teams success is the best answer to all . Actually after 13 time champions finally I got the National junior coach post and now I have a big responsibility to make a good National junior team.
We have to play Asian Junior Netball championship in South Korea followed by World Junior Netball Championship in New Zealand. Milo schools tournament paved the way to talent search. Actually we won all the tournaments conducted this year. Seven finals out of eight we won. At the All Island schools Netball Championship we won three titles out of four while at the Junior National Championship held in Polonnaruwa we beat Musaeus 45/17 to win the title. During the Junior National Championship I had to return home due to my father’s illness but my husband Ananda Wannitilleka who is the trainer and conditioning coach handled the team to get success I am confident a few players will be selected for the National Junior pool based on their performance at recent tournaments said Amalka Meanwhile the strength and conditioning coach Ananda Wannitilleka said his service is very important for the players to build up their endurance and power .My teams always work hard for their fitness which is neglected by most of the players.
The coaches give training and build up skills and techniques but without fitness players couldn’t continue their game .We saw most of the schools have talented players but their fitness is not enough and HFC players are successful because of their fitness compared to other teams said the former National Volleyball skipper who is presently working as sports officer at the Education Ministry.