Quentin Israel

Quenta, known to his friends{{according to whom|date=April 2016}} as 'Q,' went to school at Trinity College, Kandy where he played rugby as a centre three-quarter between 1953 and 1954 under the guidance of Dharmasiri Madugalle and Lucky Vitharana.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} In 1954, he was the Captain of the Hockey team, as well as an accomplished hurdler.[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/qisrael.htm1 ]{{dead link|date=June 2016}} Though an alumnus of Trinity, 'Quenta', went on to coach S. Thomas for number of years, and even bested his alma-mater. He then coached the Thomians, taking 43 wins in a row,{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} beating Trinity and winning the Bradby Shield on five occasions.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} He was a member of the staff at both institutions. Quenta was the president of Havelock Sports Club, as well as its coach. He has been called one of the best{{according to whom|date=May 2016}} rugby coaches, having studied the strengths and weaknesses of every opposing team.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} He also served in the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.{{cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/qisrael.htm |title=Death of rugby coach Quentin Isr |website=Rootsweb.ancestry.com |access-date=2016-06-02}}

Israel represented the Havelock Sports Club from 1958 to 1965, and was a member of the 1961 Clifford Cup winning team. Although he did not represent Sri Lanka, he was a member of the All Ceylon pool and squad,{{cite web|url=http://www.island.lk/2002/05/15/sports09.html |title=Quentin to coach Galle RFC this season|website=Island.lk |access-date=2016-06-02}} which he would later coach, winning on many occasions.{{when|date=April 2016}} He also held positions of honorary secretary, entertainment secretary and president.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

He is most widely known as the 1st XV coach at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia,{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/06/27/a-brief-overview-of-thomian-rugby/ |title=A Brief Overview of Thomian Rugby | The Sunday Leader |website=Thesundayleader.lk |date=2010-06-27 |access-date=2016-06-02}} who registered 43 wins in a row.{{cite web|url=http://www.stc-class92.org/Quintin%20Israel.pdf |title=MR. Quentin Israel – The Coach, The Mentor – A Tribute! |website=Stc-class92.org |access-date=2016-06-02}}{{cite web|url=http://mahesaabey.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/the-glory-days-of-st-thomas-rugby/ |title=The glory days of St Thomas' rugby |website=Mahesaabey.wordpress.com |date=2013-08-16 |access-date=2016-06-02}}

One of his protégés was Sri Lankan player Michael Jayasekera, described by Havelocks Rugby Club coach Gamini Fernando as "being gift-wrapped and delivered to his club by Quentin Israel".{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/11/05/spo09.htm |title=Sports |access-date=19 May 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921102051/http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/11/05/spo09.htm |archive-date=21 September 2007 }} Jayasekera went on to become the chairman of the board of selectors. Another protégé was Sri Lankan player PL Munasinghe. Jayasekera and Munasinghe both played in 1975 and 1976 and were later described as the best Thomian team, by sports journalist Sharm de Alwis.{{cite web|url=http://www.tyretracks.com/showthread.php?t=459|title= A Brief Overview of Thomian Rugby |publisher=Tyretracks.com|access-date=2011-09-01}}

He later coached Trinity College, which won the Bradby Shield on five occasions.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

He also served the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), besides being the coach of the national under 19 side,{{when|date=April 2016}} and taking over coaching of Galle Rugby Football Club after retiring from Trinity College.{{cite web|url=http://www.island.lk/2002/05/15/sports09.html|title=Quentin to coach Galle RFC this season|website=Island.lk|access-date=2016-05-17}}

Israel taught mathematics, chemistry, and physics, and is known for his emphasis on education despite his enthusiasm for Rugby.{{cite web|url=http://www.stcoba-canada.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74:tribute-to-mr-leo-de-silva-a-mr-quentin-israel&catid=30:member-articles&Itemid=62 |title=Tribute to Mr Leo De Silva & Mr Quentin Israel |website=Stcoba-canada.com |access-date=2016-06-02}} He also coached another XI Cricket team at S Thomas College, Mt Lavinia.{{cite web|url=http://www.stcmloba.org/newsletter_archive/newsletter_122008.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=29 November 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426010841/http://www.stcmloba.org/newsletter_archive/newsletter_122008.pdf |archive-date=26 April 2012 }} Additionally, he served as a House Master and Headmaster of the Upper School, where he had the reputation of being a strict disciplinarian.{{cite web|url=http://stcg62group.org/PDF/Articles/83_Thomiana_Newsletter_Jan_2010.pdf |title=thomiana_jan2010 |website=Stcg62group.org |access-date=2016-06-02}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stcmloba.org/newsletter_archive/newsletter_12312007.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=29 November 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426010931/http://www.stcmloba.org/newsletter_archive/newsletter_12312007.pdf |archive-date=26 April 2012 }}

[[File:STC-RugbyTeam (1975) PLM.jpg|thumb|S Thomas College 1st XV Rugby Team 1975'

Standing L to R

Charity Wickramathilake, Ananda Welikala, Darup Pieris, SKN Fernando, Rienzie Fernando, Shane Pinder, Devaka Fernando, Rohitha Attygalle, Michael Jayasekera, Tushitha Ranasinghe

Seated L to R

Mr Quentin Israel (Coach), Mahes Abeynaike, Theadore Thmabapillai, Pat Jacob, PL Munasinghe (Captain) Mr SJ Anandanayagam (Warden) Stefan D'Silva, Peter Vanniasingham, Loka Thilakaratne, Wilhelm Bogstra, Mr Lassie Abeywardena (Master in Charge)]]

[[File:S Thomas' College Rugby 1st XV Team 1976.jpg|thumb|S Thomas' College Rugby 1st XV Team 1976

Standing: Avindre de Silva, R Wadugodapitiya, Eraj Gihan Ratnaike, Dyalan Supramanium, Kapila Waidyaratne, Jeya Poniah, Jeyakumar, Shane Pinder, Charith Wickramathilake, Wazil Hafeel

Seated: Quentin Israel (Coach) Michael Jayasekera, Darup Pieris, PL Munasinghe, Stefan D'Silva (Captain), Mr SJ Anandanayagam (Warden) Theadore Thambipillai, Wilhelm Bogtsra, Rienzie Fernando]]

Junior School Challenge Cups (donated by Herbert Lakshman Fernando) are awarded to the 'Most Promising Student' and the 'Best All-round Sportsman of the Year' at Trinity College in memory of Israel.{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20081214/LETTERS.HTM |title=The Sunday Leader Online |website=Thesundayleader.lk |access-date=2016-06-02}} The Toronto Chapter of the St Thomas College's Old Boys Association 7-a-side tournament rugby tournament for the Quentin Israel Memorial Trophy.{{cite web | url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=88905 | title=Sharm de Alwis Thomians honour Quentin Israel | work=The Island | date=26 September 2013 | access-date=20 October 2013}}

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Category:1934 births

Category:2007 deaths

Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Kandy

Category:Faculty of Royal College, Colombo

Category:Sri Lankan rugby union players