Burgher Recreation Club

	‘Tis their vision for tomorrow that we live to

	The BRC has a rich tradition of exemplary individuals who brought both honour and charm to the Club and all its activities. It is their vision and determination of the yesteryear that has lent the BRC its effervescent and charismatic presence of today.

	Those present at the inaugural meeting of the BRC held on 26th December 1891:

	A.W. Raffel (Who presided over the meeting) \| Colvin Kelaart \| H.O. Poppenbeek \| Charles Alwis \| Charles La Brooy \| A.W. Metzeling \| Lloyd de Krester (snr.) \| Norman Oorloff \| Harry Dickman \| Lovell Mack \| A.W. Andree \| R.A. Bohier (jnr.) \| E.O. Claessen \| Sam de Heer \| Cyril Foenander \| H. Ismail \| E. Jansz \| W. Joseph \| Peter Paul Jansz \| C. Keyt \| W. Ludekers \| A. Naganatan \| J.P. Pompeus \| Justin Rode \| Fred Toussaint \| A.C. Van Culenburg \| Ernest Vandort \| A.C. Solomons \| Thomas Joseph \| E. Brohier \|

	The inaugural Committee of Management were:

	1896/1897 President - A.W.Raffel Cricket Captain - Colin Kelaart Secretary - H.O. Poppenbeck Treasurer - Charles Alvis Ground Secretary - Charles La Brooy Committee - A.W. Metzeling Lloyd de Krester (snr.) Norman Oorloff Harry Dickman Lovell Mack Some of the BRC’s most distinguished members deserve special mention.

	Dr. V. R. Schokman President of the BRC for 19 consecutive years (1922 to 1940), Dr. V. R. Schokman captained the BRC cricket team during the 1920, 1914 and 1915 seasons. His 118 runs scored against GPO in 1906 was the first century scored by a member of the BRC. During his tenure as president, a new pavilion was inaugurated in 1922. Dr. Schokman was elected Mayor of Colombo in January 1938, and re-elected the following year. Given his superior knowledge and outstanding lineage, his appointment as Member of the State Senate under the Soulbury Constitution was no surprise. He also served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education for a short time. Later, he was appointed Member of the House of Representatives by His Excellency the Governor General.

	Major General B. Russell Hyne A hard-hitting batsman, a slow, medium-paced bowler and a brilliant cover fielder, Major General Russell Hyne was one of the finest sportsmen produced by the country. President of the BRC from 1965 to 1976, he was a proud Royalist, and had the envious distinction of leading his country against the South Indian cricketers in 1947. Major General Russell Hyne is the only Sri Lankan cricketer to have taken the wicket of the great Sir Don Bradman at the Colombo Oval (now called P. Saravanamuttu Stadium) in 1948. President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) in 1976/78, President of the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation (SLHF) in 1964-66 and Vice President of the Ceylon Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (CO & CGA) are a few more of the titles and pivotal roles that Major General Russell Hyne played throughout his illustrious career as an outstanding sportsman and a great man.

	Mr. Jayantha Paranathala (1989 – to date) An inspiring leader, Mr. Jayantha Paranathala has an impressive list of achievements to his name. During his school days, he was Cricket Captain of Isipathana College (1970) and represented his college in hockey. From there, he moved on to represent Sri Lanka and the BRC at many local and international cricket tournaments, while he captained State Services Cricket in 1980. His outstanding performance and personality lead him to play a pivotal role in the Sri Lanka Cricket Board in the capacity of National Selector, Team Manager of the Sri Lanka cricket team, Vice President of the SLCB, Secretary to the National Cricket Development Committee and Chairman of the Umpire’s Committee. He is also the Ex-President of the State Services Cricket Association and Ex-President of the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation. His commitment and dedication to the BRC over the past 20 years is exemplary, and is the driving force that is revolutionising the Club.