Countdown begins at C Rugby showpiece for old boys and girls

Chief organiser and promoter of the C Rugby Tag Sevens Dilroy Fernando (fourth from right) poses with his commercial partners at the event’s launch on Wednesday.

The eighth edition of the C Rugby tournament is scheduled to kick off on August 30 at the CR and FC ground Longden Place in Colombo.

The championship is organised and conducted by former Sri Lanka fly-half and the head of AGOAL International Dilroy Fernando who officially launched its countdown at a Media event held on Wednesday at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

As many as 16 teams will be in the fray made up of old boys of rugby playing schools with a mixture of old girls from what is being called ‘sister schools’.

The combined teams of old boys and old girls are Royal-Visakha, Isipathana-St. Paul’s, St. Joseph’s-St. Bridget’s, Kingswood-Girls High School, Wesley-Methodist, DS Senanayake-Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Ananda-Musaeus, Trinity-Hillwood and Ladies, S. Thomas’-Bishop’s, Science College-Girls High School, St. Sylvester’s-St. Anthony’s Girls School, Dharmaraja-Mahamaya, St. Benedict’s-Good Shepherd Convent, Vidyartha-Pushpadana Girls School, St. Peter’s-Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya, and Thurstan-Devi Balika.
Chief organiser Dilroy Fernando said that the matches will be worked off taking into account the rules of rugby akin to a Sevens tournament with 38 first round games down for decision with safety measures and player welfare given top priority and medical staff on stand-by.
According to Fernando some 3000 rugby fans witnessed the matches when the event was last held in 2023 with more expected this year at a carnival-like atmosphere.
Teams can compete for the Cup, Plate and Bowl segments.
He said the whole event which kicks off at 4pm and progresses under floodlights will be an occasion for old boys and ex-players to meet in fellowship with families as this year’s showpiece coincides with the Royal-Trinity Bradby Shield.
“This is an occasion not just about rugby only, but a day for the entire family and fellowship among old boys reigniting the rugby flame as former players come together. We want all old boys and girls to come and enjoy the occasion”, said Fernando.
Food and beverage stalls, live music and a kiddie’s corner will add to the attractions.
The combined team of Vidyartha-Pushpadana won the Cup at the last event in 2023 while the combined team of Wesley-Methodist took the Plate. The combined team of St. Peter’s-Holy Family Convent settled for the Bowl.
Each team will comprise of five old boys and two old girls and there will also be individual awards and cash prizes for the best male and female players, besides the trophies.
Commercial partners of the event are Elephant House (Lemonade), Keells Crest, Imorich, Haleon-Iodex, Fairway Holdings, FriMI, The Papare, Prima, Rush, CR and FC and Yes 101.