The first stage matches of the Schools Netball Championship for MILO Trophy 2014 will start on May 16 at 15 centers around the country. The 23rd edition of the MILO Trophy will feature over 1100 teams and the teams will play in two divisions.
The tournament committee has decided to conduct matches in age groups of under-13, under-14, under-16 and under-18. In the age category of under-13, six teams from each center will qualify for the finals and there will be two divisions in other age groups.
At a press conference held at Capri Club on Thursday, the head of Sri Lanka School Netball Association, Mrs. Sandamali Aviruppola said that schools with a student population below 1000 students will take part in division B.
“I think every team that participate in the competition should have a fair chance of winning it. The schools which have got less than 1000 students will participate in Division B, while the other schools will battle it in division A,” the Principal of Visakha Vidyalaya said.
The players born in 2002 and 2003 are eligible to take part in the under-13 category, while players born in 2001 will be in the under-14 category. The students born in 1999 and 2000 will be entitled to play in the age group of under-16. The most senior age group, the under-18 will be taken rt by the players born in 1997 and 1998.
Last year, Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala dominated the tournament winning both under-14 and under-16 age groups, while finishing third in the under-18 category. However, the participation has increased from last year’s 980 to 1100 teams which will make the event even more competitive.
The 15 centers where the matches will be played and the dates are:
Ampara (May 16, 17), Kandy (May 24, 25), Matale (May 27), Badulla (June 2,3), Colombo (May 28,29), Homagama (May 31), Gampaha (June 7,8), Kalutara (May 30), Anuradhapura (May 28, 29), Kurunegala (May 28,29), Puttalam (June 2), Jaffna (May 29), Galle (June 2), Matara (June 3).
