Singer Sri Lanka PLC has continued its tradition of being in the forefront of Sri Lanka’s rugby by powering the 2016 Singer Schools Rugby League organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA). This is the 13th consecutive year that Singer Sri Lanka is backing this prestigious tournament.

The 2016 season of the Under-19 School Rugby tournament will be contested amongst 69 schools, spread across three divisions and will include 226 matches in total. Division 1 will be divided into six segments of six teams each; Division 2 will include four segments with a total of 22 teams while Division three will consist of 11 teams split into two segments. Teams will contest for Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield trophies across the three divisions.

Singer Sri Lanka has a rich history of supporting Sri Lankan rugby at all levels. The company has backed the Bradby Shield encounter for 26 years as well as the country’s top club rugby team of recent years – Kandy Sports Club – for 13 consecutive years. Additionally, the company has also exposed the Sri Lankan rugby players and fans alike to international rugby by organising the International Rugby Sevens for the first time last year. In parallel to all this, Singer Sri Lanka also plays a key role in ensuring sustainable long-term development and success of the game of rugby in the island. Some of the notable of such development involves the building of much-needed infrastructure such as erecting scoreboards at the Nittawela rugby grounds and constructing rugby pavilions at the Royal College Sports Complex and the Pallekele rugby ground.

Addressing the audience at the official launch ceremony, Singer Sri Lanka Director – Marketing and Commercial Mahesh Wijewardene stated: “We are proud to be associated with the highly-anticipated 2016 Schools Rugby League organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association. Singer Sri Lanka has always believed in empowering the youth of the nation by getting them to embrace sports. Sports help instil discipline, respect, confidence and teamwork, all of which are vital characteristics needed by today’s young leaders. By supporting Sri Lankan youth across the country, we are indeed investing in the future of Sri Lanka.”

He further added: “Singer Sri Lanka will continue to provide all match officials, school coaches, and players with special workshops conducted by both locally and internationally qualified trainers. In the past we have provided opportunities for our local talent to participate in international rugby tournaments such as Junior Rugby Asiad supporting the game of rugby”.

Speaking at the event, SLSRFA President Ranjith Chandrasekera stated: “Singer Sri Lanka has always set the standard when it comes to how corporates can help support sports in the country. We are thankful for their continued support over the past 12 years and look forward to grow this bond between the two organisations in years to come.” He added that Singer’s involvement in the game of rugby in Sri Lanka has helped them to take the sport to the rural areas. “Several years ago, rugby was known to be the sport of the elite, urban schools but today, thanks in part to Singer Sri Lanka, we have been able to take the game to rural schools and unearth some of the finest rugby talent in the country,” he added.

Singer Sri Lanka’s involvement with the country’s sports has extended beyond rugby. Over the last 20 years, the company has backed several other sports at school, mercantile and national level, providing all Sri Lankans the platform to excel in the sport of their choice.

Science College and Isipathana tipped to dominate the Singer League

With the inter-club rugby football season coming to an end in one week with the completion of the Clifford Cup knockout tournament, it will be time for the commencement of the school rugby season in the form of the Singer League 2016 which will be kicked-off on 18 March.

There will be two matches down for decision on the opening day with the Thomians taking on the Joes at Longdon Place. This encounter will be played for the Lady Jayathilake Trophy. The Thomians having got the custody of the Singer school Sevens this year will be a tough outfit and they will carry a strong team. Joes too will field their best to come out on a positive note this year. On the same day, up in Kandy, Trinity will host the Wesley outfit at Pallekelle.

The top four in 1A and the top four in 1B will play on cross group with the winners decided on the aggregate of points collected in round one and two. The last two teams in the group will play in the Plate competition. Royal are the defending Singer League champions winning last year under Bhanuka Liyanage. Science College and Isipathana are the top two teams to secure the Singer League this year. (SJ)