Sri Lanka netball, despite its rich talent pool and commendable achievements, faces a myriad of challenges that hinder its growth and success on the world stage.
The challenges stem from a combination of factors, including a potential lack of funds and administrative shortcomings according to Thilaka Jinadasa, a double international in athletics and netball who is a renowned international netball coach.
“Financial constraints and administrative inefficiencies have plagued Sri Lankan netball, limiting the ability to organise international tours and acquire necessary resources. For instance when a tour to Australia ahead of the World Cup last year was arranged, it did not happen because we could not afford to buy tickets,” revealed Jinadasa who questioned the role of officials governing netball in the country.
She cautioned that petty differences and politics that can be the root cause of the downfall in sports must be put aside if the future of netball has to be taken into account.
“Administrators play a crucial role in fundraising, resource allocation, and strategic planning for the advancement of Sri Lankan netball. Without proactive efforts to address funding issues and implement a structured system for development and competition, the sport will continue to face significant hurdles,” warned Jinadasa, a celebrated Olympian who has a proven track record as national netball coach of Sri Lanka and Brunei.
Jinadasa left for Brunei after a year of hibernation since stepping down as national coach after Sri Lanka’s netball World Cup in August.
“Without necessary facilities, funding for international tours, and administrative support, it becomes challenging to achieve the desired level of success. The imperative lies in recognising the importance of providing adequate support to coaches and athletes to enable them to compete effectively on the international stage.
“While celebrating the achievements as six-time Asian champion is commendable, Sri Lanka must aim higher. The ultimate goal should be to compete at the World Cup and beyond. Systemic changes, including the establishment of a proper league system and adequate support for athletes, are essential for the continued success and growth of Sri Lankan netball,” she pointed out.
Jinadasa hit success in Brunei more than she ever did being in Sri Lanka where her commitment and efforts were under-valued.
“During my time in Brunei from 2011 to January 2018, I spearheaded the establishment of the national netball team. At that time, there was no existing national pool or team in the country. Our inaugural competition was the 2012 Asian Championship held in Sri Lanka. Brunei, participated for the first time in an international tournament, finishing sixth out of 12 teams,” she recalled.
She said that Brunei’s breakthrough came in 2015 at the SEA Games where they clinched their first international medal. This marked a turning point, signalling a shift towards greater seriousness and commitment to the sport and according to her netball was subsequently recognised as one of the core sports in Brunei leading to improved facilities and increased support for players.
“We secured another bronze medal at the 2017 SEA Games, consolidating our presence in regional competitions. Additionally in 2012, 2014 and 2016, Brunei participated in the Asian Netball Championship, consistently finishing in the sixth position.”
“After my time in Brunei, I returned to Sri Lanka, where I had previously achieved success by winning the 2009 Asian Championship after an eight-year gap. Despite this victory, I was not given the opportunity to lead the team to the World Cup, which led to my departure from the country,” she said.
Between 2012, 2014 and 2016, Sri Lanka reached the finals of various tournaments but fell short of victory.
Jinadasa returned to guide Sri Lanka at the triumphant 2018 Asian Championship, the 2019 World Cup and the 2023 World Cup, contributing to the development and performance of the Sri Lankan team.
Her passion for netball coaching began with the Maldives national team in 1998 after representing Sri Lanka in athletics (1981 to 1991) and netball (1992 to 1997) arming herself with the requisite qualifications, including strength and conditioning from the Australian Institute of Sports.
Counting 26 years of experience as a high-performance coach, Jinadasa, 61, believes in the power of experience. “In coaching, age brings experience. Coaches never truly retire. Instead, they continue to grow and evolve, constantly updating their knowledge and skills,” said Jinadasa as she begins her second stint in Brunei.
Her role entails overseeing all aspects of the national netball including player development, strategic planning and team management.
“Firstly, we have Sukma, a prestigious international event hosted by Malaysia. Then we have the Asian Championship scheduled from September 28 to October 5 in Saudi Arabia and the Asian Indoor Games from November 21 to 30 in Thailand,” said Jinadasa whose other major assignment will be at the 2025 South East Asia (SEA) Games.
According to Jinadasa, the SEA Games holds immense importance for Brunei with preparation geared towards achieving success in this prestigious event.
Given the packed schedule of events this year, her focus is on maximising performance and readiness for each competition with the ultimate goal of excelling at the SEA Games in 2025.
The challenge is greater since she has to start virtually from scratch. “Unlike my previous coaching experiences with Sri Lanka and earlier with Brunei, where there may have been established structures and players in place, this time she is working with a relatively new and young team.
“However, despite these challenges, I am optimistic and eager to tackle them head-on. I view this as an opportunity to build a strong foundation for the team. While the task ahead may seem daunting, I believe in the potential of Brunei’s netballers and their competitive spirit,” she said.
Her approach will be focused not just on winning but on performing well and improving.
“I am confident that we can make a positive impact in the upcoming competitions. Winning the Asian Championship presents a significant challenge for Brunei, considering the strong competition from teams like Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Hong Kong. However, my primary focus is not solely on winning the championship but rather on improving Brunei’s performance and positioning within the region,” she said.
“Realistically, aiming to achieve a ranking closer to the top teams or even reaching the sixth position would be a noteworthy accomplishment for Brunei. Ultimately, my target is to elevate Brunei’s standing in Asian netball, aiming to secure a ranking within the top 15 teams in Asia,” said Jinadasa who aims to position Brunei as a respected contender in Asian netball.
She did not pull her punches on the status quo of Sri Lanka netball saying that Sri Lanka boasts a diverse pool of players, ranging from tall to quick and agile athletes and despite this wealth of talent the lack of a structured system for nurturing and developing players has hindered the country’s progress in international competitions.
“One of the key issues I’ve noticed during my tenure is the insufficient focus on player welfare. Many talented individuals are not adequately supported in terms of nutrition, living conditions and training regimen. As a result, some players may become disheartened and give up on their netball careers due to the challenges they face,” she pointed out.
She said that while the country has enjoyed success at the Asian Championship the transition to the World Cup proves challenging due to the limited match experience.
“This gap in exposure to high-level competition leaves players ill-prepared to face the rigours of international play.
“When I was coach, I’ve consistently advocated for the organisation of a Test series and the establishment of a structured netball season in Sri Lanka. Test series provide invaluable experience in competitive environments, helping players adapt to the intensity and pressure of international competition. Additionally, a structured season would allow players to focus on their conditioning and skill development systematically, ensuring they are adequately prepared for competitive matches,” she said.
But despite these challenges Jinadasa remains hopeful for the future of Sri Lankan netball. By addressing these issues and implementing a more structured approach to player development and competition, she said Sri Lanka can unlock its full potential and achieve greater success on the international stage.
