Rugby Carnival to mark 50 years of S. Thomas’ Prep

By Lithira Ekanayaka

The Prep Youth Rugby Carnival 2026, organized by S. Thomas’ Preparatory School, will be held on June 6 for the fourth consecutive year at the CR & FC ground at Longden Place in Colombo in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the introduction of rugby to the school. 

Since its inception in 2023, the tournament has evolved into an annual tradition, with this year’s edition featuring 28 teams from 11 schools and approximately 384 players in action.

The Prep Youth Rugby Carnival, structured as a four-division tournament, will feature U-10, U-12, U-14, and U-16 age groups. The U-10 and U-12 teams will compete only in pool-stage matches, while the U-14 and U-16 categories will compete for both Cup and Plate championships. 

The four schools of S. Thomas’ Preparatory School Colombo 3, S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia, S. Thomas’ College Gurutalawa and S. Thomas’ College Bandarawela will participate in the tournament alongside Royal College, St. Peter’s College, St. Joseph’s College, Isipathana College, Nalanda College, Royal College Panadura and the AGOAL Rugby Academy.

U-10

Group A – St. Joseph’s College, S. Thomas’ Preparatory School, S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia

Group B – Royal College Colombo, AGOAL Rugby Academy, St. Peter’s College

U-12

Group C – St. Peter’s College, Royal College Colombo, S. Thomas’ Preparatory School

Group D – Nalanda College, S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia, St. Joseph’s College

U-14

Group E – S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia, Isipathana College, Royal College Panadura, Royal College Colombo

Group F – S. Thomas’ College Gurutalawa, S. Thomas’ College Bandarawela, St. Peter’s College, S. Thomas’ Preparatory School

U-16

Group G – S. Thomas’ Preparatory School, Isipathana College, Royal College Colombo, St. Joseph’s College

Group H – Nalanda College, AGOAL Rugby Academy, St. Peter’s College, S. Thomas’ College Gurutalawa

Six U-10 teams, competing in two groups, will play 7-a-side Tap Rugby in fast-paced 10-minute matches with rolling substitutions, while the U-12 division will introduce tackling to the 7-a-side format, with six teams competing in two groups in 10-minute matches. 

The U-14 and U-16 categories, featuring eight teams each, will transition to a 10-a-side full-field format incorporating rolling substitutions and post-try conversions.

Addressing the press briefing, Tournament Director and CEO of AGOAL Rugby International, Dilroy Fernando stated that 10 referees from the Western Province Rugby Referees’ Society will officiate all 48 matches of the tournament, while medical officers and two ambulances will ensure safety and welfare of players. 

Ceylinco Life, Norfolk Foods, Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka, Akbar Brothers, Lady J, Rio Ice Cream, Prima Ceylon and Universal Travel Bureau are the sponsors of the tournament. 

During the press briefing, attended by members of the organising committee, masters-in-charge, coaches, old boys of the participating schools and sponsors, commemorative cheques were officially presented to the organisers.