By Susil Premalal

The Ladies’ College Old Girls’ Association (LC OGA) will host their inaugural FAST5 Netball Challenge on August 31 at the indoor stadium of St. Joseph’s College marking the first exclusive event of its kind in Sri Lanka according to the organisers.

The tournament, scheduled from 7.00 am to 6.30 pm will feature Women’s Open, Men’s Open and Mixed Open categories with the participation of leading past pupils’ sports clubs, frontline schools and corporate teams. In the Women’s Open Division, Speedbirds Netball Club, LC Red Ferns, Trackmaster Netball Team, Metho OGA, Musaeus Legends and Familians Netball Team will battle for supremacy.

The Men’s Division will see United Sports Club Seeduwa, Team Gem City, Team Anuradapura and DS Senanayake College OBA competing, while the Mixed Division will bring together corporate and alumni squads including CDB Finance PLC, Thunderhawks (STCML OBA), OLD JOES, Firefoxes, and Panthers SBC PPA.

The tournament will showcase the highenergy FAST5 format which adds excitement through features like rolling substitutions, threepoint scoring zones and a thrilling two-minute “Power Play” in each half where double points will be awarded for long-range shots. Unlike traditional  netball, only five players take the court with games played over two six-minute halves.

The Mixed Division will also follow unique rules, requiring three female and two male players on court, with men restricted to goal attack and goal defence positions. Matches will begin with a league-stage format, awarding five points for a win and one for a draw. Top teams from each category will advance to the semi-finals, culminating in the final.

The champions will compete for three prestigious trophies, the Mabel Simon Memorial Trophy (Women’s Open), the Delita Fernando Challenge Trophy (Mixed Open), and the Jerry Perera Memorial Trophy (Men’s Open). Additional awards include recognition of the best shooters and outstanding players in each category. With Visa as the official strategic partner, organisers say the event promises to blend competition, camaraderie and entertainment while celebrating the legacy of sport at Ladies’ College.