Chairman of the Organising Committee Masheesh Hamid, Prefect of Games A. Ananthan, Tournament Director Dilroy Fernando, Headmaster Rev. Nihal Fernando, Master-in-Charge T. Ramesh and Rugby Coordinator Romesh Tissanayagam at the head table
Youth Rugby League 2023, aligning with the celebrations commemorating the 85th year since S Thomas’ Preparatory College, is set to kick off on the 1 July at the CR&FC Grounds.
The event will see 11 other schools along with the hosts. It will be held on Saturday at the CR & FC Grounds, at 8 a.m. with past Prepite and Thomian Asanga Seneviratne, who excelled in the field of Rugby, gracing the occasion as chief guest.
As Prep School turns 85 this year, they are hoping to show that sports play a key role in the life of a Prepite, and the rugby carnival is aimed at enhancing the love for the sport.
According to the school history book, Rugby was first introduced to the students of the Prep School in the year 1976 under Headmaster J.S.L. Fernando and it is noteworthy that the students of the time practiced at the CR & FC Grounds, which is where Saturday's carnival is to be held.
Rugby remains a sport that never fails to entertain the ardent fans while teaching participants some valuable life lessons. Self-discipline, team spirit, surviving during trying situations and overcoming obstacles to reach one's target are some such lessons that boys take away from the whole experience.
The Under 10 and Under 12 teams will play a league format and all the participants will be getting certificates for their participation.
The Under 14s will play 11-side Rugby. Most importantly, it would be the first time ever that this format is played in Sri Lanka. Each game will last 11 minutes and will be played in the full-width of the pitch. 12 teams were drafted into four groups of three.
Under 14 category will see Cup, Plate and Shield finals played later in the day. There will be an entry fee of Rs. 300 for people who wish to witness the rugby action live.
Under 10 & Under 12 Groups
U10 A
U10 B
U 12 C
U 12 D
S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia
Thurstan College
Isipathana College
Dr Kulasinghe College
S Thomas’ Prep College
S Thomas Prep College
AGoal Academy
Wesley College
Royal College, Panadura
Isipathana College
Royal College, Panadura
St Peter’s College
Wesley College
St Peter’s College
S Thomas Prep College
S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia
Under 14
U14 E
U 14 F
U 14 G
U 14 H
Dr Kulasinghe College
Dudley Senanayake College
Isipathana College
S Thomas Prep College
Sri Sumangala College, Panadura
Thurstan College
Carey College
Lyceum College
Royal College, Panadura
S Thomas College, Mt Lavinia
St Peter’s College
Sri Sumangala
PHOTOS Krishan Kariyawasam