The RCUAC Challenge Shield, the most anticipated Junior Water polo tournament in Sri Lanka will take place at the Royal College pool on Saturday the 8th of February 2025 with almost 50 teams from 15 leading schools in the island nation competing for the coveted Shield.
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The tournament was initiated by the Royal College Union Aquatic Club (RCUAC) under the theme “For the Love of the Game” and is now a platform to promote Water polo to younger athletes.
Event Details:
- Venue:Royal College Swimming Pool. Date: 8th February 2025
- Time:Starting at 7.00AM with the finals scheduled for 3:30PM onwards.
Participants:
- Teams:50 teams.
- Athletes:Approximately 600
- Age Groups:U9, 11, 13, 15 & 17 Age Group
Participating Teams (15):
- Schools:Bishop’s College, Musaeus College, Ladies’ College, Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo International School, Gateway College, Ananda College, D.S Senanayake College, Thurstan College, Nalanda College, S. Thomas’ College, St. John’s College, Zahira College, Wesley College and Royal College.
- Clubs and Organizations (6):SSC, BCOGA, LCOGA, VVOGA, OTSC, and RCUAC
Referees for the Tournament.
- SLASU Elite Panel of Referees to ensure fair play and high standards in officiating.
Event Highlights:
- U9 & U11 – Nalanda College will look to defend the Junior Title from a resurgent S. Thomas’s College and a dominant Royal College outfit in home conditions.
- U13 & U15 – Bishops College will be a keen contender in the format which was once dominated by Visakha Vidyalaya and Ladies’ College.
- U15 – Wesley College and Thurstan College had many close games last year which were separated by only 1 goal. Both teams will be eager to take an early psychological advantage this year.
- U15 –The Colombo International School Vs Gateway College game will be the first one to be played by both International schools. This is history in the making.
- U17 Matches:Aligned with Sri Lanka’s focus on the U17 Asian Age Group Championships in 2025, preparing athletes for international competitions.
Event Amplifiers:
- DJ and Papare Bands – To bring that big match atmosphere to everyone at the stadium.
- Carnival and Experience centers in the car park– a variety of food, drink , crafts and experience centers catering to the entire family for a fun day out.
- Bake sale – The participating schools will battle for supremacy out of the pool as well in the RCUAC Bake Sale Challenge. Visaka Vidyalaya put on a delicious and eye catching stall last year setting a high bar for the 2025 competition.
- Poster and decorations Competition – The Junior teams will put their best efforts to rise to the challenge this year where Ladies College triumphed with an artistic overall décor in the previous edition.
The sponsors supporting the event are Norfolk Foods, Royal College Batch of 2003, John Keels Office Automation, Fonterra, Red FM, Quadrangle, ThePapare, MURC Live, Royal College Photographic society, Lanka Hospitals and Jetwing Hotels.
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The 2025 edition of the RCUAC Challenge Shield is set to be bigger than the last and promises exciting match ups and entertainment through the day. The Masters game played between arch-rivals Royal College and S. Thomas’ College truly embodies the spirit of the theme, rekindling old friendships and rivalries that stand the test of time.
