The Bahrain Golden Oldies rugby team comprising of players over the age of 35 are getting all geared up to go on a four day Rugby Tour to Colombo, Sri Lanka from April 28th to May 1st. A total touring party of 40 including 20 players and supporters will be playing two Rugby matches against Sri Lankan teams.
Jim Rowark, the staunch and highly experienced Golden Oldie coach has been conducting regular twice weekly coaching sessions so players will be in peak physical shape and condition when the tour starts. Apart from the matches, our Sri Lankan teammates Azran Burah and Chanaka Ranaweera have also arranged for a charitable visit to a local school where Rugby kits, boots, shirts, socks and shorts will be donated to the children.
As Golden Oldies Captain, Andy Walsh explained, ‘with over 100,000 regular players, Sri Lanka is second only to Japan in embracing Rugby in Asia. We have a number of regular Sri Lankan players in the Golden Oldies which prompted us to have a smaller exploratory tour to Colombo last year. All of us were so impressed by the enthusiasm, support and friendliness we were shown, that we resolved we would all return this year to do a bit of ‘give back’ to those kids who just don’t have the income or funding to buy proper kit’.
Andy went on to mention. ‘Not only do we want to give out sports kit, we are also delighted that Louie Tonkin, BRFC Director of Rugby and 1st Team Coach, has agreed to come with us to direct a special coaching sessions for young local players along with Jim and Golden Oldie players!’
