St. Benedict’s College became the latest school looking forward to promoting their rugby team to reach recognition and achieve higher targets while attracting sponsors.
St. Benedict’s took to rugby in the sixties and started well. In their first year they even beat a top notch school Isipathana but faced an unpredictable first year. Then after some years in the game they stopped playing rugby for nearly ten years due to reasons known only to them.
However, they have their own ground and many facilities to develop the skills of individual players as other sports like cricket and soccer continued to be played.
Rugby is gaining in popularity and the school authorities have got together and pledged to promote the game among the rugby loving students.
Mobil and 3M from McLarens Group, ECD Global, Bloomax Pvt. Ltd and Prima have come forward to sponsor the Bens rugby team. This was revealed at a media briefing held at the Rock House Hotel in Colombo 15 on Tuesday (11).
Under the present Director, Rev Brother Pubudu Rajapaksha and other officials and old boys Bens have began a new chapter in the promotion and development of rugby.
“Rugby is more than just a sport and plays a crucial role in the holistic development of our students. It teaches the value of spadework, discipline and integrity. These are the very precise principles inscribed in our students both on and off the field.
“Rugby offers our students an excellent platform to develop the trade while fostering the spirit of sportsmanship over the years. “Our rugby team has shown tremendous improvement during the past few years and that is mainly because of their dedication, commitment and perseverance over the years,” said Rev. Dr. Rajapaksha.
“Participation in sports plays a crucial role in the physical, mental, emotional and social growth of our students. We are fortunate to have some of the best facilities and a coaching staff to support our rugby program. As we embark in this exciting journey I would like to extend my gratitude to our sponsors, especially McLarens Group (Mobil & 3M) and Rohan de Silva the chairman of McLarens, a loyal old boy to have come forward to support the development of rugby,” said Rev. Rajapaksha.
The rugby wing under the presidency of Suresh Perera is confident, so does the College administration, that St. Benedict’s College can now move forward and transform itself in the school’s rugby arena in the coming years.
The rugby team will be captained by Gavin Wijeratne while Savindu Adeesha will be the deputy.
Fixtures:
June 22 vs Maliyadeva College at Kotahena
June 29 vs Mahanama College at Kotahena
July 6 vs Sri Rahula College Kandy at Kotahena
July 21 vs Lumbini College at Havelock Park
July 27 vs St. John’s College at Ananda College ground
August 3 vs Carey College at Kotahena
