The 2013 SINGER Schools Rugby league is set to kick off as anticipated on the 15th of March 2013. The schools rugby calendar has been brought forward in comparison to previous years in order to facilitate the knockout segment before the Advanced Level examination as well as to avoid any clash with the Club Season.
Addressing the gathering at a Media Conference held today, the Marketing Director of Singer Sri Lanka, Mr. Nasser Majeed went on to say ‘Singer has been very committed towards development of rugby in Sri Lanka, and one of the efforts is continuing the sponsorship of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association Tournaments. Rugby as you know has a very high spectator interest and the amount of participation has increased tremendously over the years.’
‘This year we have more than 75 teams playing rugby from most parts of the country including the Southern and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, apart from sponsoring the tournaments we also have partnered in sponsoring various school teams as well’, he added.
Mr. Ranjith Chandrasekara who is the President of the SLSRFA pointed out that ‘This will most probably be my last media briefing in terms of rugby, and it is a momentous occasion for me. I have gathered a lot of experience since I have been the President of the SLSRFA for 15 years and have worked in order to develop rugby within the schools framework and also moulded the current system we have in place today’.
SINGER has extended their sponsorship agreement with the SLSRFA this year, having continuously sponsored the league for nine consecutive years, and also the Bradby Shield encounter for the last 20 years.
Q & A Session
What is the current situation with the Vidyartha College case?
Vidyartha College was initially given a one year ban and was set to be demoted to the Division II ‘C’ in the year 2014. However due to a court order, the one year ban had to be removed and Vidyartha College was promoted to Division II ‘A’ as a remedy. The Master in Charge and the Coach were also banned for one year, with the former being disallowed from sitting at the SLSRFA Committee sessions.
The ongoing court case which incidentally has been put forward by a parent will have no effect on the league schedule and the tournament will be conducted as proposed.
New Developments in Schools Rugby
According to Mr.Chandrasekara,the SLSRFA are also considering a system that allows any team to become league champions, rather than dividing the schools into various categories and divisions which seems to be causing most of the problems. If the system is viable there is a possibility it might be implemented in the 2014 season. This system would allow even the lower ranked teams to be title challengers.
Registration will be extremely strict this season in order to prevent the fielding of overage players and schools will be notified to present the National Identity Cards of the players whenever deemed necessary by the match officials.
‘A’ Division Team Previews
St. Peter’s College – https://www.thepapare.com/index.php/features/685-the-peterites-are-in-it-to-win-it
Royal College – https://www.thepapare.com/index.php/features/686-royal-hungry-to-set-the-record-straight
Isipathana College – https://www.thepapare.com/index.php/features/539-pathana-out-to-paint-the-league-green-again
Trinity College, Kandy – https://www.thepapare.com/index.php/features/678-the-trinity-lions-out-for-the-league-title-conquest
St Joseph’s College – https://www.thepapare.com/index.php/features/680-the-blue-and-white-brigade-ready-for-battle-this-season
Kingswood College, Kandy – https://www.thepapare.com/index.php/features/679-kingswood-searches-for-the-golden-era
Wesley College – https://www.thepapare.com/index.php/features/658-the-blue-thunder-is-taking-over-captain-wesley-college-rugby-team
Science College – https://www.thepapare.com/index.php/rugby-football/683-rohitha-rajapaskha-takes-control-of-science-college
St Anthony’s College – https://www.thepapare.com/index.php/features/627-a-bit-of-fortune-aids-st-anthony-s-struggle-for-supremacy
