Considered to be one of the best Sri Lankan cricketers never to gain a full international cap, Shanuka has an all round first-class record which eclipses many who have. From his schoolboy days in an award winning Nalanda College team, through 15 highly successful years at Bloomfield Cricket Club, Shanuka played with and against all the greats of the Sri Lankan game. Travelling overseas to become a
club professional in one of the top leagues in the UK, and laterly in Australia, developed Shanuka as both a cricketer and a person. Experiencing new cultures, different conditions and new approaches to the game also provided the springboard for Shanuka to move from playing into coaching. In an unprecedented 13 consecutive years as the much loved overseas professional at Richmondshire CC in the north of England, Shanuka completely revolutionised the town’s cricket development programme. Through his coaching, both at the club and local school, Shanuka was able to develop a production line of talent which led to the most successful period in the club’s history, winning countless local competitions as well as the ECB National Club Championship in 2018. Shanuka’s reputation as an outstanding coach, as well as playing professional led to spells at other clubs in the UK, as well as in the Victorian Premier League in Australia. Shanuka’s warm personality, global knowledge of the game and clear communication skills have enabled him to impact both junior and senior players alike. The desire to be the best coach he can be has seen Shanuka work his way up through his coaching qualifications, from level 2 in the UK and Australia to finally achieving the pinnacle of his ICC Global Level 3 in Dubai. These courses have kept Shanuka at the forefront of modern coaching methodology and given him a clear picture of his own mission as a coach. His innovative approach to coaching the team has turned heads in the local cricket scene. He has overseen his alma mater’s return to the number 1 position in Sri Lankan School’s cricket as well as providing a pathway for individuals to pick up national awards. Shanuka’s knowledge of the technical side of the game and his passion for the sport which has been his livelihood are unquestionable. However, his mission as a cricket coach extends beyond this. Shanuka believes that as a coach he should develop the individual as well as the player, that he can develop a mindset which will impact the cricketer on the field as well as the person off it. That a good coach can change games, but a great coach will change lives.
