Research indicates that women’s rugby has invariably and arguably come on in leaps and bounds over the past 130 years during which it was initially introduced to the world’s sport arena. Women’s rugby in Sri Lanka, notably played in the school level has also made giant strides in the island’s enthusiasm in this unique sport. In this context, Mahabodhi Maha Vidyalaya, Pallepola, Matale becomes an exception where women’s rugby in the island’s central province shines in the limelight.
Under-nineteen and under-sixteen women’s rugby teams of Mahabodhi Maha Vidyalaya, Pallepola stole the eyes of the spectators by being the winners of the ‘ball runner’ category in the under-nineteen all island girls’ rugby championship and the plate runners up in under-sixteen all island schools’ rugby tournament, held on the 04th and the 05th of November 2023 at the Richmond College ground and on the 18th and 19th November at the Ruwanwella grounds respectively.
The former was organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Association. Both tournaments were momentous and compelling for the women’s rugby teams of Maha Bodhi Maha Vidyalaya. It is the first time that the under-nineteen women’s rugby team of the school became victorious in the ball runner category whilst it also marks their participation for the second time in this particular tournament.
Vigorous and sturdy Suhansi Seneviratne leads the under-nineteen women’s rugby team of Mahabodhi Maha Vidyalaya, Matale whilst competitive and formidable, K. G. H. K. A. Gunathilaka is the captain of its under-sixteen women’s rugby team. Gunathilaka’s captaincy aided the team to have emerged as the plate runners up in under sixteen all island school’s rugby tournament.
Suhansi’s and Gunathilaka’s determined and fast-paced teams are a robust mixture of sturdy and potent young girls whose passion and adeptness in rugby have predominantly been such an astounding phenomenon, distinguished in a town which is far away from the city. In any winning endeavour, the role played by the coach is undoubtedly a matter of immense significance where the victorious girls are trained by Sarath Bandara Madugalle who himself is a prominent rugby player and a referee with an outstanding track record.
Commenting on the achievements of the women’s rugby teams, coach Madugalle noted that getting them trained up to a standard where they became victorious, a task which was initially slightly challenging but eventually ended up with a huge success. “I am beyond shadow of a doubt, elated and ecstatic over the salient and splashy wins of the girls. They have often been methodical, practical, and remarkable whilst being trained. Their loyalty to the game of rugby is incredibly phenomenal and I know for fact that they can conquer any battle in the game of rugby,” coach Madugalle declared.
Meanwhile, as remarked by Madugalle it was in the year 1884, the school’s first rugby team was formed in Ireland. Most interestingly, this history-making rugby team included a young woman whose name is reported as ‘Emily Valentine’ who was also the first official woman to be in the ground to play this unique game of rugby. However, as noted by the researchers, due to a considerable pressure, generated by the general public and issues in rather conservative societies, enthusiastic and passionate women rugby players were either forced to keep a low profile with rugby or to play their much loved game in secret.
Despite such influences, the landscape of women’s rugby has now undergone a startling and striking modification in every detail. It is currently one of the widely accepted and professionally played games, in Europe in particular. Women’s rugby indisputably benefits its players in terms of their physical, social, and emotional well-being. “Among a wave of benefits that rugby players get, both the social and body confidence that it leaves with its players are of paramount significance. In that light, I strongly believe that the women’s rugby teams of Mahabodhi Maha Vidyalaya, beyond any doubt, enjoy the immense benefits in the game of rugby” Madugalle noted.
As remarked by coach Madugalle, the principal, all the teachers including Esha Ranasinghe, the teacher in charge of the rugby team and Gihan Epa, education coach, the parents, and the well-wishers of the women’s rugby teams of Mahabodhi Maha Vidyalaya have been the tower of strength behind the victories established by the young rugby playing girls.
