Evening with Barney Reid, Thomian Sportsman par excellence
Distinguished Old Thomian Barney Reid and his lovely wife Rani visited Sydney late last year on the First of December 2021, to spend time with their extended family. When the OBA got wind of the visit, through man-about-town Chitran Duraisamy, President Sanjiv Vivekananda together with the exco of the OBA sprang in to action. Chitran contacted Barney immediately to arrange a social night.
Barney, the ever-gracious gentleman and Thomian stalwart did not disappoint us. Despite his tight schedule he availed us of the opportunity to hear him speak, about his school days at the school-by-the-sea, his star-studded career as a prodigious table tennis champion, his accidental foray into cricket, through to his stint as College cricket coach in 2009/2010. The varied topics discussed even gave us an insight into what it was like to grow up in a family of sportsmen in then Ceylon.
While COVID-19 restrictions limited the number of Old Thomians and family members in attendance, the OBA was still able to proceed with the night. Kumar Rasiah hosted Barney with a range of questions from those present. The questions kept coming, especially from those who were meeting Barney for the first time. The legendary Thomian dispatched every one of them, akin to his batting style, with finesse and class!
No topic was off limits. It surprised several of us to discover that Barney was also a Table tennis Champion. Indeed, it was this that serendipitously lead him to finding his life-partner through a chance meeting in Singapore. Having spent time with the charming lady on the night, we were left in no doubt about that match-made-in-heaven.
Barney shared many of his endless stories with us. As a coach, Barney always put the success of the team ahead of the individual, sometimes to the ire of a doting parent. Barney’s integrity consistently delivered the best outcome for the team as well as for the young players in the long term.
After migrating to Melbourne, Barney continued to develop his professional and sporting life. He qualified and worked as a professional accountant while playing Grade cricket with great success.
Wanting to give back to the community, as always, he quietly sponsored a talented youngster with his own resources, who otherwise would not have had the funds needed to develop his sporting skills.
It was a memorable night indeed, thoroughly enjoyed by all, with an unforgettable Thomian who epitomises what it means to walk the Thomian talk!
Esto Perpetua, Barney!
The Committee,
STC OBA NSW/ACT
Highlights of a distinguished Sri Lankan Thomian, Gentlemen Cricketer par excellence
Bryan (Barney) David Reid. Born in Colombo 14th February 1946,
Educated at:
St Clares College, Wellawatte,
S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia
Melbourne University, Deakin University and RMIT University
Fellow, Australian Certified Practicing Accountants.
Table Tennis:
Was one of the youngest students ever to represent S Thomas College, when at the age of 10, whilst still in the Lower School, played in the College Senior Team against Prince of Wales College.
Represented Sri Lanka Under 16 Team from the age of 13
Captained the Sri Lanka Under 16 Team in 1961
Selected in the Sri Lanka National Team from the age of 15.
Won the following National Table Tennis Titles.
1959, Under 14 Singles and Under 14 Doubles with S P Melvani.
1960, Under 16 Singles and Under 16 Doubles with Carlyle Weinman.
1961, Under 16 Singles and Under 16 Doubles with F Nilam.
1966, Open Mixed Doubles with Ms Srini Lucas
1967 Open Men’s Doubles with brother Buddy Reid.
Won the Indian National Under 16 Doubles Table Tennis Title with F Nilam in 1961.
Represented Sri Lanka at the GANEFO Games in Indonesia in 1963.
Took the World No. 3 player to a deciding set in the International Tie against China.
After a four-year lapse to take up cricket, returned to Table Tennis and was selected to Represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Table Tennis Championship held in Singapore in 1967. Met Singaporean wife Rani at those Championships.
Reached the Semi Finals of the Victorian Open Table Tennis Championships, beating the New South Wales Champion in the Quarter Finals.
Cricket:
Commenced Cricket at the age of 16.
After 1 day of cricket practice, selected to play in the College 2nd X1 Cricket Team and took 5 wickets against St Mary’s College Dehiwela 1st X1, in his first game of Leather Ball Cricket.
Asked to take the New Ball in only his second game of cricket, the Mini Battle of the Blues.
After ten minutes technical instruction (and the borrowing of cricket boots) from brother Buddy, held a New Ball for the first time and proceeded to help beat Royal College with a match bag of 12 wickets.
Promoted to the 1st X1 - Got 8 wickets for 2 runs against St Sebastian’s, which is a Ground Record for a Debut Performance on the College Grounds.
Won the College Bowling Averages in 1963, 1964 and 1965
The Best Bowling Performance at the Royal Thomian Matches in 1964 and 1965.
Member of the Thomian Team that won the Royal Thomian Cricket Match in 1964, following 11 consecutive Drawn Encounters.
Regarded by England Captain Brian Close as a ‘Teenage Sobers.’
Selected in the Sri Lanka Schools Team in 1965.
Sri Lanka’s Best Schoolboy Bowler, breaking the Sri Lanka Schools Bowling Record (70 wickets in nine 1st Term matches)
Selected Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in 1965, just 3 years after taking up the sport for the first time.
With brother Ronnie who was Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in 1957, were the only brothers to have held that Title.
Together with brothers Claud, Ronnie, Buddy and Johann (Tiny) he was a part of a Thomian Record of 5 brothers to have played in the Royal Thomian Match.
Represented Sri Lanka President’s X1 in 1967
Coached S. Thomas College in 2009/2010.
Migrated to Australia in 1968.
Represented the Melbourne Cricket Club and together with brother Claud, were the first brothers to play together in a 1st X1 Grand Final since Test Player Colin McDonald and his brother Ian.
Selected in Ringwood Cricket Club’s first ever Premier Grade Team in 1974.
Selected in Ringwood’s Best ever VCA Team up to the Year 2000.
Ringwood’s Best Bowler 1975 and 1979 - Club Champion 1975.
Awarded the Australia Day Medal by the Victorian Cricket Association for the Best Bowling Performance on Australia Day in 1976.
Selected Victorian Cricketer of the week’.
Captained Melbourne University Cricket Club
Coached Ringwood Cricket Club
Melbourne University Cricket Club
Outer East Region of the Victorian Cricket Association, winning a Premiership at the Victorian Under 18 Championships.
Selected in the Combined Sub-District Cricket Association Team
Captained the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Team that toured Queensland.
Selected in the Best Ever Oakleigh Cricket Club Team.
A Victorian Cricket Association 1st X1 Umpire
Represented Victoria at the Australian Under 17 Cricket Championships.
