Draft:Sri Lanka Schools Rugby

  • Comment: Very notable but we need multiple reliable secondary sources i.e newspapers, articles, magazines, e.t.c. Safari ScribeEdits! Talk! 15:26, 8 August 2024 (UTC)

Sri Lanka Schools Rugby refers to the rugby union competitions and traditions among schools in Sri Lanka. It has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century and plays a significant role in the development of rugby in the country.[1] The Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA), established in 1972, is the governing body responsible for organizing and promoting rugby among schools in Sri Lanka. The SLSRFA organizes various tournaments and works closely with Sri Lanka Rugby to develop the sport at the grassroots level.[2]

History

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Early years (1893–1940s)

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Rugby was first introduced to Sri Lankan schools in 1893 at Kingswood College, Kandy. The sport gradually spread to other schools:[1]

School Year commenced
Kingswood College, Kandy 1893
Trinity College, Kandy 1906
Royal College, Colombo 1916
Zahira College, Colombo 1924
St. Peter's College, Colombo 1932

The first inter-school rugby match was played in 1906 between Kingswood College and Trinity College, ending in a 6-all draw.[1]

In 1932, a league tournament known as the "little league" was introduced, initially contested by Trinity, Royal, Zahira, and St. Peter's. World War II disrupted the league, with only Royal and Trinity continuing regular fixtures during this period.[1]

Post-war expansion (1950s–1970s)

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The 1950s saw a resurgence in school rugby, with more schools adopting the sport. By the 1960s, competition had intensified, with schools like Zahira, S. Thomas', St. Peter's, and Isipathana producing champion teams alongside Royal and Trinity.[1]

School Year commenced
St. Joseph's College, Colombo 1955
S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia 1955
St. Sylvester's College 1955
St. Anthony's College, Kandy 1956
Wesley College, Colombo 1956
Dharmasoka College 1957
Thurstan College 1958
Vidyartha College 1959
Isipathana College 1963
St. Benedict's College, Colombo 1963
St. Mary's College, Dehiwela 1963
Richmond College, Galle 1965
Ananda College 1966
Dharmaraja College 1969
Nalanda College, Colombo 1972

Major Competitions

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Schools Rugby League

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The Schools Rugby League is the premier 15-a-side competition for schools in Sri Lanka. It is organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) and sponsored by Dialog Axiata PLC. The league features multiple divisions, with the top teams competing in Division 1A.

Schools Rugby League Past Winners

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Year Winner Captain
1973 Royal College, Colombo Michael Muller
1974 Trinity College, Kandy C.Y. Chang
1975 Trinity College, Kandy Rohan Soujah
1976 Royal College, Colombo Manik Weerakumar
1977 Trinity College, Kandy Ravi Balasuriya
1978 Royal College, Colombo Rohantha Peiris
1979 Royal College, Colombo Ravindranath (Raba)
1980 Isipathana College A.S.B. Bowela
1981 Royal College, Colombo Sujeewa Cooray
1982 Isipathana College Dilroy Fernando
1983 Isipathana College Rodger Rodrigo
1984 Isipathana College Shabeen Siddique
1985 Isipathana College Chandana Deepthi
1986 Isipathana College Selvin Sallay
1987 Trinity College, Kandy Tyrrell Rajapakshe
1988 Royal College, Colombo Lasitha Gunarathne
1989 S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia Rizyi Suhaib
1990 S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia Nareen Perera
1991 S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia Savantha De Saram
1992 Isipathana College Champika Nishantha
1993 Isipathana College Chamila Samantha
1994 Isipathana College Lilekha Fernando
1995 Isipathana College Ali Wahid
1996 Isipathana College Bandula Mallikarachchi
1997 Isipathana College Wajira Hewage
1998 Royal College, Colombo W.S.S. Perera
1999 Isipathana College Chrishantha Chandran
2000 S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia Gavin Jayasekera
2001 Isipathana College Ranga Perera
2002 St. Peter's College, Colombo Dilanka Wijesekera
2003 Royal College, Colombo Rajitha Jayasundara
2004 Kingswood College, Kandy Fazil Marija
2005 Kingswood College, Kandy Eranda Weerakkody
2006 St. Peter's College, Colombo Haren Ariyawardena
2007 St. Peter's College, Colombo Ranuka Jayasinghe
2008 Kingswood College, Kandy Gayan Rathnage
2009 Royal College, Colombo Naren Dasan
2010 St. Peter's College, Colombo Keith Gurusinghe
2011 Royal College, Colombo Shehan Pathirana
2012 Isipathana College Kumendra Dharmadasa
2013 Dharmaraja College Rochana Hettiarrachchi
2014 Isipathana College Shena Dileka
2015 Royal College, Colombo Bhanuka Gamage
2016 Isipathana College Kushan Indunil
2017 Royal College, Colombo Ovin Askey
2018 Royal College, Colombo Sabith Feroz
2019 Royal College, Colombo Thulaib Hassen
2020 Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Isipathana College Dahan Nithina
2023 St. Peter's College, Colombo Ashan Madugasge

Presidents Trophy

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The Presidents Trophy, now known as the Milo President's Trophy, is the main knockout tournament for school rugby teams in Sri Lanka. Originally introduced in 1985 as the Premadasa Trophy, it was renamed to the Presidents Trophy in 1995. This tournament provides an opportunity for schools to compete in a different format from the league, often leading to exciting and unpredictable matches.[1]

Presidents Trophy Past Winners

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Year Winner
1985 Isipathana College
1986 Isipathana College
1987 Trinity College, Kandy
1988 Royal College, Colombo
1989 S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
1990 S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
1991 S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
1992 Isipathana College
1993 Trinity College, Kandy
1994 S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
1995 St. Peter's College, Colombo
1996 Isipathana College
1997 Isipathana College
1998 Thurstan College
1999 Isipathana College
2000 Kingswood College, Kandy
2001 Isipathana College
2002 Royal College, Colombo
2003 Kingswood College, Kandy
2004 Kingswood College, Kandy
2005 Kingswood College, Kandy
2006 St. Peter's College, Colombo
2007 St. Peter's College, Colombo
2008 St. Peter's College, Colombo
2009 S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
2010 Royal College, Colombo / St. Peter's College, Colombo
2011 Trinity College, Kandy
2012 Isipathana College
2013 Wesley College, Colombo
2014 Isipathana College
2015 Science College, Mount Lavinia
2016 Isipathana College
2017 St. Joseph's College, Colombo
2018 St. Peter's College, Colombo
2019 St. Peter's College, Colombo
2020 Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Isipathana College
2023 St. Peter's College, Colombo

Schools Rugby Sevens

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The Under 19 Elite Rugby 7s, also known as the Dialog Schools Rugby - Under 19 Elite Rugby 7s, is a relatively new addition to the school rugby calendar, showcasing the fast-paced and exciting 7-a-side version of the sport. Sponsored by Dialog Axiata PLC, this tournament has quickly become a significant event in the school rugby scene.[1]

Traditional Fixtures

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Several traditional fixtures between schools have become integral to the rugby calendar. The most prestigious of these is the Bradby Shield, contested annually between Royal College and Trinity College since 1945.[1]

Impact and Legacy

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Sri Lanka Schools Rugby has played a crucial role in developing talent for the national team and fostering a strong rugby culture in the country. Many of Sri Lanka's top rugby players have emerged from the school system, highlighting its importance in the national rugby landscape.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "We kick off a historical journey of Lanka's school rugby through the ages". Quadrangle. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  2. ^ "History of the Schools Rugby League Winners". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 2024-08-07.