C Rugby celebrates 10 years with new tackles, new thrills

Friday, 10 July 2026 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: Red Bull Senior National Partner Manager Praveen Fernando, Cinnamon Grand Hotel General Manager Nazoomi Azhar, C Rugby Chief Organiser Dilroy Fernando, CR & FC President Dinuk S. Wijeratne and Iodex PRS Category Senior Brand Manager Pranavan Raveendran at the C Rugby 10th edition kickoff in Colombo

The countdown has begun - C Rugby is back — and this year, the spectacle at the CR&FC Grounds promises more than just nostalgia. On Friday 17th and Saturday 18th of July, the tenth edition of the C Rugby Tag Rugby Tournament will kick-off with fresh energy, new formats and a carnival atmosphere that blends rugby, music and sporting rivalry into one unforgettable weekend.

What began as a reunion of old boys’ schools has now evolved into a phenomenon. This year, the tournament introduces a Corporate Segment and Exhibition Games adding new layers of excitement to the tradition of shared flags and friendships. Sixteen teams will take the field, representing both schools and corporates, in a format that has become the premier event for rekindling camaraderie through sport.

C Rugby is organised by AGOAL International, led by rugby stalwart Dilroy Fernando — former Isipathana College, CR&FC and National Rugby player and International Rugby Referee, who orchestrates this five‑a‑side tag rugby spectacle. Partnering the event are Cinnamon Hotels, Iodex, Red Bull, Frosty, CR&FC and YES 101.

The action begins on 17 Friday at 4 pm, with the league/pool corporate preliminary clashes, setting the tone before a social at the clubhouse featuring the band OIC. From 2 pm on Saturday, the old boys and old girls take to the field, battling through preliminary rounds, Cup, Plate and Bowl contests before the finals crown new champions.

But rugby is only half the story. The C Rugby Tropical Jam Party kicks off at 3 pm on Saturday with Slipping Chairs, Cold Sweat, Section 8 and DJ Lunatics igniting the stage. A Food Boutique by Cinnamon Grand, fun games and a children’s play area complete the carnival vibe, ensuring the event is as much about family fun as it is about fierce competition.

The combined school teams include Trinity/Hillwood Ladies, Royal/Visakha, Isipathana/St. Paul’s, St. Joseph’s/St. Bridgets, Thurstan/Devi Balika, Wesley/Methodist College, Ananda/Museaus College and St. Sylvester’s/St. Anthony’s Girls School. Corporate challengers — from London Stock Exchange, Commercial Bank, WNS, Hutch, Cinnamon Colombo Hotels, Acorn Group, Dialog Axiata and CDB Finance — bring a new competitive edge to the tournament.

– Pic by Ruwan Walpola