With the last few overs being bowled in inter school cricket, the rugby season is set to begin. All the school teams in Kandy are blessed with good, talented players.
A glimpse into the history of rugby football at Kingswood (then known as Kandy Boy's High School).
Kingswood was the first school to play rugger in Sri Lanka and was located opposite St. Paul's College Church.
L.E. Blaze (an old Trinitian) introduced the game.
At present, the Wesley game is played for a trophy in memory of L.E. Blaze presented by Roy de Silva.
The sport subsequently increased in popularity throughout the country. Kingswood (past and present) played its very first game against Trinity (past and present) at the Bogambara grounds on August 11, 1906, which ended in an exciting six all draw. This was the first ever inter school rugger match player in the country.
However, Kingswood gave up the game a few years later. Rugby was re-introduced in the late 1970's.
Since 1980 Kingswood has been doing well in rugby and under the guidance of Z.M. Zarook for the first time won the Tyrell Muthiah Memorial Trophy for the first time.
In the recent past Kingswoodians have been doing well in the sport, and today they can be rated as one of he best teams in the school's rugby arena.
Presently, Kingswoodians are coached by one of their finest ruggerites, Nilufer Ibrahim, who has been playing for Kandy Sports Club for many years and was also at one time a regular player of the national side.
Last year he coached their rivals, Dharmaraja College and ensured the team reached a higher standard.
This time the side will be led by Sri Lanka junior ruggerite, Gayan Rathnage a fine third row forward who should lead the side from the front, backed by 12 of last year's players. His deputy will be Roshan Weeraratne.
Some of the other players are Forwards - Harendra Dharmawardene, N. Mohamed Sabri, Uchith Jayasuriya, Rajitha Abeyakoon, Mohamed Akram, Nuwan Dharmasena, Asiri Medirigama, Rizwan Nazar.
Rohan Weeraratne, the deputy skipper is tipped to pair off with Charith Wijetunga. The rest of the players are Chaminda Bandara, Kasun Wijesooriya, Hashan Ranaweera, Mohamed Fazil, Rajitha Sansoni, Kosala Kapukotuwa.
They are expected to kick off on April 24 against Royal, followed by the game against St. Anthony's May 4. On May 10, Kingswood will play St. Peter's.
These will be followed by matches by against Vidyartha, St.Thomas', Isipathana, Dharmaraja for the William Weerssinghe trophy and against Trinity on June 22.
The date for the E.L. Blaze trophy against Wesley has not been fixed as yet.
A glimpse into the history of rugby football at Kingswood (then known as Kandy Boy's High School).
Kingswood was the first school to play rugger in Sri Lanka and was located opposite St. Paul's College Church.
L.E. Blaze (an old Trinitian) introduced the game.
At present, the Wesley game is played for a trophy in memory of L.E. Blaze presented by Roy de Silva.
The sport subsequently increased in popularity throughout the country. Kingswood (past and present) played its very first game against Trinity (past and present) at the Bogambara grounds on August 11, 1906, which ended in an exciting six all draw. This was the first ever inter school rugger match player in the country.
However, Kingswood gave up the game a few years later. Rugby was re-introduced in the late 1970's.
Since 1980 Kingswood has been doing well in rugby and under the guidance of Z.M. Zarook for the first time won the Tyrell Muthiah Memorial Trophy for the first time.
In the recent past Kingswoodians have been doing well in the sport, and today they can be rated as one of he best teams in the school's rugby arena.
Presently, Kingswoodians are coached by one of their finest ruggerites, Nilufer Ibrahim, who has been playing for Kandy Sports Club for many years and was also at one time a regular player of the national side.
Last year he coached their rivals, Dharmaraja College and ensured the team reached a higher standard.
This time the side will be led by Sri Lanka junior ruggerite, Gayan Rathnage a fine third row forward who should lead the side from the front, backed by 12 of last year's players. His deputy will be Roshan Weeraratne.
Some of the other players are Forwards - Harendra Dharmawardene, N. Mohamed Sabri, Uchith Jayasuriya, Rajitha Abeyakoon, Mohamed Akram, Nuwan Dharmasena, Asiri Medirigama, Rizwan Nazar.
Rohan Weeraratne, the deputy skipper is tipped to pair off with Charith Wijetunga. The rest of the players are Chaminda Bandara, Kasun Wijesooriya, Hashan Ranaweera, Mohamed Fazil, Rajitha Sansoni, Kosala Kapukotuwa.
They are expected to kick off on April 24 against Royal, followed by the game against St. Anthony's May 4. On May 10, Kingswood will play St. Peter's.
These will be followed by matches by against Vidyartha, St.Thomas', Isipathana, Dharmaraja for the William Weerssinghe trophy and against Trinity on June 22.
The date for the E.L. Blaze trophy against Wesley has not been fixed as yet.
