Leonard De Zilwa, a former Sri Lankan national rugby player and accomplished coach with over two decades of experience in rugby development and high-performance coaching, will be taking charge as the Head Coach of the youthful CH and FC outfit at the Inter Club League rugby tournament 2026/2027.
Representing Sri Lanka from 1992 to 2002, Leonard was the first Captain of Sri Lanka’s rugby sevens team at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, when rugby 7s made its debut at the Games.
He also captained the national team at the Hong Kong 7s and Dubai International 7s and was part of the Asian Quadrangular Championship-winning team in 1997.
As a coach, De Zilwa has guided MAS Holdings to four Mercantile Rugby Championship titles and Navy SC to the 2013/14 A Division Club Championship. His coaching career includes serving as Head Coach of the Sri Lanka Women’s Rugby 7s Team at the 2026 CASA Rugby Sevens, alongside coaching appointments at Ananda College, St. Peter’s College, St. Thomas’ College and John Paul College, New Zealand.
Former Secretary, CH and FC, Shane Dulawewa and former leading referee, Tony Amit, are giving the Maitland Crescent club a big hand in setting up a young unit this season. (SJ)