Premila Fernando

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Premila Fernando
Premila Fernando.jpg
Born
Beruwalage Premila Meriyan Fernando

(1981-03-22) March 22, 1981 (age 43)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
CitizenshipSri Lanka
Occupation
  • Professional Basketball Player
  • FIBA Level 2 Basketball Coach
  • FIBA Basketball Referee
Spouse(s)Jagath Kulathunga
Parents
  • Clarence Fernando (father)
  • Disna Perera (mother)
Relatives
  • Clancy Fernando (Sister)
  • Buddhini Fernando (Sister)
Basketball career
No. 4 - Sri Lanka Women's National Basketball Team
PositionPoint Guard
LeagueFIBA Asia
Personal information
Listed height5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Career information
High schoolSt. Joseph’s Girls’ School - Nugegoda
Playing career1998 - Present–present

Premila Fernando (born March 22, 1981), also known as Beruwalage Premila Meriyan Fernando, is a Sri Lankan Professional Basketball Player,[1] FIBA accredited Level 2 Coach, and a FIBA Referee.[2] She has had an extensive career in basketball, representing Sri Lanka at various national and international tournaments.[3] Notably, she held the captaincy of the Sri Lanka Women's National Basketball team during multiple periods, specifically from 2004 to 2006, 2008 to 2010, and again in 2013.[4][5][6]

Fernando’s international basketball career reached a notable milestone when she was honored as Asia's second Best Player at the 22nd Fiba Asia Basketball Championship in Korea in 2007.[7][8][9] She also played a key role in establishing the "True Basketball Academy" in Sri Lanka and the "Be Ballers Basketball Academy" in Melbourne. Additionally, she dedicated three years of her professional life as a fitness specialist at Vaaj Fitness Center Pvt. Ltd.[10][11][12][13] She is only female Fiba Basketball Referee in Sri Lanka.

Her dedication to the sport and impressive achievements on the court have earned her a reputation as one of Sri Lanka's most talented female basketball players,[14][15] earning numerous accolades and excelling at the school, club,national and international levels.[16][17]

Early life and education

Fernando was born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka. From a young age, she demonstrated a keen interest in Athletics and actively participated in sports such as Basketball and Netball during her school years. She completed her primary and secondary education at St. Joseph's Girls' School in Nugegoda.

Continuing her education, Fernando enrolled in the Albright Institute of Business and Language in Melbourne.[18] Additionally, she attended the Dolph Business School and the Australian College of Trade in Melbourne to continue her academic journey and enhance her expertise in various fields.[19][20]

High school career

Fernando played a key role for St. Joseph's Girls' School basketball team from 1992 to 1998, representing multiple age groups.[21][22] Her team consistently won the school's championships during those years, except for a runner-up position in 1995 in the Under-19 category.[23][24]

Fernando's performances earned her multiple honors, including being recognized as the All-Island Best Defensive Player in 1998, 1997, and 1995 in the Under-19, Under-17, and Under-15 divisions respectively.[25][26] Furthermore, her Under-19 team achieved victories in the National School Games in 1994 and 1996, as well as in the All Island School Games in 1995 and 1997.[27][28][29]

Basketball Player career

After completing her education, Fernando joined Seylan Bank as a Banking Assistant. She played a vital role in leading the team to consecutive mercantile championships[30][31] from 2004 to 2009 and was named the Best Player for three years in a row (2004-2006).[32][33][34][35]

NATIONAL TEAM CAREER

Throughout her career, spanning over two decades, Fernando represented both the Sri Lanka Women's Basketball Team and the Maldives Club Team in numerous international championships and inter-club tournaments respectively.

Tournament Represented Venue Dates Significant Achievements
14th ABC Junior Women's Basketball Championship Sri lanka Junior Women’s Team Tokushima - Japan[36] September 1998
18th ABC Women's Basketball Championship Sri lanka Women’s Team -Shizuoka, Japan May 1999


19th ABC Women's Basketball Championship

Sri lanka Women’s Team


Thailand

October 2001


43rd India South Zone Basketball Championship

Sri lanka Women’s Team India November 2001 Best Player of the tournament


44th India South Zone Basketball Championship

Sri lanka Women’s Team India


August 2002

A.G.S.E.P. Exchange Tournament Sri lanka Women’s Team Germany March 2003 2nd Runner up


45th India South Zone Basketball Championship

Sri lanka Women’s Team India July 2003


National Basketball Tournament - Maldives

Maldives Club Team Maldives October 2003 Best Player of the tournament


National Basketball Tournament - Maldives

Maldives Club Team Maldives September 2004 Best Player of the tournament


21st ABC Women's Basketball Championship

Sri lanka Women’s Team China June 2005


47th India South Zone Basketball Championship

Sri lanka Women’s Team India February 2006


National Basketball Tournament - Maldives

Maldives Club Team Maldives November 2006 Best Player of the tournament
22nd FIBA Asia Basketball Championship Sri lanka Women’s Team Korea June 2007 Awarded as Asia’s Second Best Player


51st India South Zone Basketball Championship

Sri lanka Women’s Team India October 2008


National Basketball Tournament - Maldives

Maldives Club Team Maldives October 2008 Best Player of the tournament
23rd FIBA Asia Basketball Championship Sri lanka Women’s Team India September 2009


National Basketball Tournament - Maldives

Maldives Club Team Maldives December 2009 Best Player of the tournament
52nd India South Zone Basketball Championship Sri lanka Women’s Team India June 2010


National Basketball Tournament - Maldives

Maldives Club Team Maldives July 2010 Best Player of the tournament
24th FIBA Asia Basketball Championship Sri lanka Women’s Team Japan August 2011
1st South Asian Beach Games 3x3 Championship Sri lanka Women’s Team Sri Lanka October 2011 2nd Runner Up
FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship[37][38][39][40] Sri lanka Women’s Team Qatar May 2013
26th FIBA Asia Basketball

Championship

Sri lanka Women’s Team China August 2015
South Asian Games Sri lanka Women’s Team India February 2016
SABA Championship Sri lanka Women’s Team[41] Nepal March 2016 Championship


National Basketball Tournament - Maldives

Maldives Club Team Maldives September 2016 Best Offensive Player of the tournament
Pan Pacific Masters Games Sri Lanka Masters Team Gold Coast, Australia November 2016
27th FIBA Asia Basketball Championship Sri lanka Women’s Team India July 2017
Pan Pacific Masters Games Sri Lanka Masters Team Gold Coast, Australia November 2018

Domestic career

In addition to her international achievements, Fernando had a strong dominance in the domestic basketball scene. She consistently showcased her skills at the All Island National Games – Basketball Championship, representing the Western Province team and won the Championship continuously from 1998 to 2018.[42] She was named the Best Player in multiple editions of the tournament, including 1998, 2004, 2008, and 2010. Her team won the Championship in the Junior National tournament in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and the first runner up in 1997. She had also won the championship in the Senior National tournament in the years 1999, 2001 to 2009 and in 2015 and the 1st Runner up 1996, 2000, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2017.[43] Moreover, in the Colombo Super League tournament her team had won Championship in 2001 to 2011 and the 1st Runner up in 2013 and 2015. In the league she had been awarded as the Best player in 2001 and Best defensive player in 2005.

Premila attributes much of her success to the vital support, mentorship, and training she received from her coaches, Ajith Kuruppu and Hayaz Haroon, in shaping her into a distinguished player.[44]

2023 BIGV Division Two Women Wallan Season Stats

As a start of playing career in Australia, Premila has joined Wallan Basketball Club's Senior Women's team for the 2023 BigV Basketball season,[45] and played for the Division two Women's category over the season.[46]

Basketball Referee career

In 2009, Premila decided to join the Sri Lanka Referee's Association and with the mentorship of the senior referees, she started refereeing local tournaments in 2010.[47][48] She achieved accreditation as a FIBA Referee in 2011, marking a significant milestone in her career. Notably, she officiated as FIBA referee in the 21st FIBA Asia Under 18 Women's Championship in Malaysia (2012). Additionally, she served as a FIBA referee in the 2nd Asian Youth Games in China (2013), and the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games in Brisbane,[49][50] Australia (2016, 2018, 2022). Currently, she is a Level 2 Basketball Referee in Victoria, officiating in various tournaments such as Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL), School tournaments, Kumon Junior Classic Tournament and BigV tournament.[51] She is also refereeing Domestic Basketball Leagues attached to Dandenong Basketball Referees Association.[52][53]

Basketball Coach career

With extensive experience in basketball, Fernando transitioned into coaching. She began by coaching the St. Joseph's Girls' team as voluntarily, her former school, and obtained FIBA Level 1 (2013) and Level 2 (2015) coaching certifications.[54] She also held NCAA Gold Licenses in the USA for the years 2016-2017 and 2018-2019.[55][56]

Starting in 2011, Fernando coached various teams, including the University of Colombo Women's basketball team, St. Lawrence convent.[57][58] In 2018, she co-founded the True Basketball Academy in Sri Lanka alongside three other coaches, including her mentor Hayaz Haroon and her husband Jagath Kulathunga.[59][60] Through this academy, she has dedicated herself to nurturing young talents in the Sri Lankan basketball community, helping them unlock their full potential.[61][62][63]

After relocating to Australia, Fernando, along with her husband and another coach, established the Be Ballers Basketball Academy.[64] Presently, she imparts her knowledge and trains numerous young Australian players, relishing the opportunity to share her expertise with the next generation of basketball enthusiasts.[65][66][67]

Awards and recognitions

  • 22nd ABC Women's Basketball Championship:
  1. Asia's second-best Player - 2007
  • National Maldives Basketball Tournament:
  1. Best Offensive Player of the tournament - 2016
  • South Asian Basketball Championship (SABA):
  1. Championship - 2016
  • 1st South Asian Beach Games Championship:
  1. 2nd Runner Up - 2011
  • National Maldives Basketball Tournament:
  1. Best Player of the Tournament - 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
  • 43rd India South Zone Basketball Championship:
  1. Best player of the tournament - 2001
  • 18th Asian Basketball Championship - Japan:
  1. Sri Lanka Schools Games Colors - 1999
  • 14th Asian Basketball Championship - Japan:
  1. Sri Lanka Schools Games Colors - 1998
  • Mercantile Tournament Championship:
  1. Best Player - 2004, 2005, 2006
  • Super League Tournament:
  1. Best Player - 2001
  2. Best Offensive Player - 2005
  • All Island National Games - Basketball Championship:
  1. Best Player - 1998, 2004, 2008, 2010
  • Senior Nationals - National Basketball Championship League:
  1. Best Player - 2005
  • Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Championship:
  1. Under 15: Best Defensive Player - 1995
  2. Under 17: Best Defensive Player - 1996
  3. Under 17: Best Player - 1997
  4. Under 19: Best Defensive Player - 1998

In the media

     

References

  1. ↑ "playerstats". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  2. ↑ "Premila-Meriyan-Fernando-Beruwalage". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  3. ↑ M, Lelum (3 April 2016). "Sri Lanka : First Women`s South Asian Basketball Champions". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  4. ↑ M, Lelum (6 April 2018). ""Some players come to the national team without basics" – Premila Fernando". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  5. ↑ "Premila-Meriyan-Fernando-Beruwalage". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  6. ↑ "Module". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  7. ↑ "Asian Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings". www.asia-basket.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "womensasiacup Sri-Lanka". .fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  9. ↑ "Day-Level-Round-Up-Malaysia-Lebanon-make-play-off". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "Asian Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings". www.asia-basket.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Features | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  12. ↑ "FIBA Asia Cup Basketball 2011, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards - asia-basket". www.asia-basket.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  13. ↑ "media-guide". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  14. ↑ "Sri Lanka Sports News | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  15. ↑ "Sri Lanka | 2009 FIBA Asia Championship for Women | ARCHIVE.FIBA.COM". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  16. ↑ Ranasinghe, Dinushki (7 February 2016). "National Basketball Team – South Asian Games 2016 (Womens)". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  17. ↑ "3x3 - The number one 3x3 players for 2013, country by country". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  18. ↑ "Sri Lanka | 2011 FIBA Asia Championship for Women | ARCHIVE.FIBA.COM". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  19. ↑ M, Lelum (26 July 2017). "Sri Lanka or Lebanon? A Must Win for Both". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  20. ↑ "Women's SABA Championships 2016: Sri Lanka cruise to victory". ThePapare.com. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  21. ↑ "Sri Lanka Basketball National Team News, Rumors, Roster, Stats, Awards - asia-basket". www.asia-basket.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  22. ↑ "Day 3 Level 2 Round-Up - Malaysia down Kazakhstan; Filipinos pip Uzbeks". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  23. ↑ "OfficialProgram" (PDF). fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  24. ↑ "Premila Beruwalage profile, FIBA Asia Championship for Women 2007". FIBA.COM. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  25. ↑ "D. Basketball Club basketball, News, Roster, Rumors, Stats, Awards, Transactions, Details-asia-basket". Eurobasket LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  26. ↑ "Sri Lanka wins first Women's South Asian Basketball Association Championship | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  27. ↑ "SRI LANKA". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  28. ↑ "Sri Lanka News | Sri Lankan Breaking news,Hot News - Adaderana -Truth First". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  29. ↑ "womensasiacup 2017 OfficialProgram" (PDF). fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  30. ↑ "Mercantile men and women champs". archives.sundayobserver.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  31. ↑ "Asian Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings". www.asia-basket.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  32. ↑ "Premila Meriyan Fernando BERUWALAGE". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  33. ↑ "Hopes on hoops". mydreamsmagazine.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  34. ↑ "Women's SABA Championships 2016: Sri Lanka continue their winning run". ThePapare.com. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  35. ↑ "DFCC becomes the best cagers". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  36. ↑ "Box Score (ORIS)" (PDF). japanbasketball.jp. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  37. ↑ "FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship 2013". play.fiba3x3.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  38. ↑ "Sri Lanka Women | FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship 2013". fiba3x3.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  39. ↑ "FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship 2013". play.fiba3x3.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  40. ↑ "Teams | FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship 2013". fiba3x3.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  41. ↑ "Sri Lanka win First South Asian Women's Basketball Championship, Nepal second - The Himalayan Times - Nepal's No.1 English Daily Newspaper | Nepal News, Latest Politics, Business, World, Sports, Entertainment, Travel, Life Style News". The Himalayan Times. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  42. ↑ "Sri Lanka cager teams take wing to Qatar". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  43. ↑ "2017 International Basketball Thread [Archive] - DBR Boards". forums.dukebasketballreport.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  44. ↑ "Epic feat by woman cager Premila Fernando". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  45. ↑ "2023 BIGV Division Two Women Wallan Season Stats". hoopsdb.net. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  46. ↑ "Basketball Victoria". Basketball Victoria. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  47. ↑ "History - Sri Lanka Basketball Federation". GameDay. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  48. ↑ "Vishvanath helps Sampath Bank". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  49. ↑ "Referees from across the region on display at the Pan Pacific Masters". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  50. ↑ "HNB a close win". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  51. ↑ "Kumon National Junior Classic referees announced!". Basketball Victoria. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  52. ↑ "Old Antonians retain Over 35 basketball title". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  53. ↑ "DFCC and Seylan Bank clinch Nature Cup cager titles". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  54. ↑ "Singer cagers victorious". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  55. ↑ "Sri Lanka bag Gold at inaugural South Asian Basketball Association Women's Championship | Daily FT". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  56. ↑ "The Old Girls And Old Boys Show Their Colours". sportswithharitha.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  57. ↑ "Travelling in basketball – yes! International teams touch down". Pan Pacific Masters Games. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  58. ↑ "Colombo BC yet unbeaten". archives.sundayobserver.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  59. ↑ "HNB register two victories in Nature VI cager tourney". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  60. ↑ "Delmege Group clinch Mercantile 'A' division cager title". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  61. ↑ "St. Eugene stays at Wattala". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  62. ↑ "Seylan Bankers win". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  63. ↑ "Seylan Bank women win". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  64. ↑ "Delmege Group in 85-78 win over Akbar Brothers". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  65. ↑ "Dialog GSM cagers clinch Nature Cup". archives.dailynews.lk. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  66. ↑ "1st South Asian Women's Basketball Tournament kicks off in Kathmandu". The Himalayan Times. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  67. ↑ "Sri Lanka Women bag Gold at inaugural South Asian Cager tourney". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.

External links

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