The Ceylonese Rugby and Football Club (CR&FC), popularly known as the CR and ‘Red Shirts’, kicked off its centenary year yesterday (25th September), which will culminate on 24th September 2023.
The occasion was marked by a press event, followed by the formal launch of the centenary year and the release of the limited edition publication of the club’s journey since its inception in 1922, aptly titled “Tackling Change: CR&FC 100 Years”.
The launch event included invitees of the Rugby hierarchy of the game’s governing body, Western Province Union, Society of Rugby Referees, A Division clubs and the Schools Association alongside over two hundred CR&FC members spanning several decades.
Mr. Summa Navaratnam, the club’s senior-most Captain, honorary life member, past President and one-time fastest man in Asia, was bestowed with the first copy of the limited edition (001/300) of the centenary book ‘Tackling Change’.
Speaking on the occasion, CR&FC President Ted Hiran Muttiah said, “Today marks a remarkable journey not just for the CR&FC, but for Rugby in Sri Lanka. The Club was founded by Colonel E. H. Joseph and dedicated to the Ceylonese, as the people of the land were known then. It thrived in the midst of much-fancied European competition and quickly established a highly regarded reputation in the ensuing decades as an integral part of the game in Sri Lanka.
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The centenary book ‘Tackling Change’ provides an excellent account of this remarkable journey. It is true to how the club continues to stay true to its founding charter and relevance within the community, despite the evolving socio-economic operating environment over the century,” he added.
In celebration of the centenary year, CR&FC has a number of events lined up which includes an International Club Rugby 7s Tournament (Men & Women), alongside a Sri Lanka Schools Invitational 7s Championship to be held in April, conducted by tournament Director Dilroy Fernando.
The tournament is tipped to feature all the leading Men’s teams of the country, while a few international Women’s teams will compete against the four Ladies’ teams in the country. The competition will also feature 10 leading Rugby-playing school teams.
CR&FC Centenary Year Events
- Release of the Coffee Table Book
- 100th Year Christmas Celebrations
- Centernary Sevens Tournement
- Centenary Rock on – Music Festival
- Sri Lanka Rugby legends get together
- Scrum & Tackle Dinner Dance
- Curtains Down on the Centenary year
 popularly known as the CR and ‘Red Shirts’, kicked off its centenary year yesterday (25th September) culminating on 24th September 2023.){kind=link}