SLT-Mobitel-powered ‘Jetour Next XV Rugby League’ concludes inaugural season, showcasing future generations of rugby

Reaffirming the commitment to nurture future generations of athletes, SLT-Mobitel served as the Powered By Partner at the inaugural Jetour Next XV Rugby League, which concluded with a thrilling final at the CR & FC Grounds in Colombo, recently. 

The groundbreaking three-week tournament concluded with 140 Under-19 school rugby players participating under an innovative franchise-based model for the very first time. SLT-Mobitel acted as a key catalyst in providing a high-performance platform for young athletes to unlock their fullest potential. 

Organised by Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) in partnership with Eventistry Sports, the League featured intense rivalries for four new privately owned franchises such as the Colombo Aces, Galle Lions, Kandy Tuskers, and Jaffna Bulls. 

The intense competitive action at the tournament functioned as a vital player-development pathway under the close oversight of SLR, ensuring a structured focus on discipline, professionalism, and future national selection. Supported by experienced coaching teams, the young players gained valuable exposure and showcased their abilities in front of national selectors.

In a spectacular grand finale played under lights, the Jaffna Bulls fought off a fierce challenge from the Galle Lions to emerge as the first-ever Next XV Champions with a 30–24 victory. The championship decider showcased the quality, competitiveness, and potential of Sri Lanka’s next generation of rugby players. In the Bronze final earlier in the evening, the Colombo Aces secured third place defeating the Kandy Tuskers 29–24.

SLT-Mobitel’s leadership joined SLR officials on the final day, with Chief Marketing Officer Rohana Ellawala and Chief Business Officer – Consumer Business Chethana Attanayake greeting players during the team line-up, and SLT-Mobitel PEOTV Chief Officer Ruchira Weerakoon presenting the Bronze medals to the Colombo Aces.

SLT-Mobitel brought the action to fans islandwide as the Official Broadcast Partner. SLT-Mobitel PEOTV delivered all the matches LIVE in true HD quality through the PEO SPORTS Channel on PEOTV, PEO MOBILE, and accompanying digital platforms, demonstrating how digital connectivity can elevate local sports.

The tournament also introduced a new franchise-based commercial and entertainment model to Sri Lankan rugby, combining private franchise ownership, corporate partnerships, professional broadcast coverage, and an enhanced match-day experience for fans.

SLR President Pavithra Fernando said: “The Next XV Rugby League has demonstrated the depth of talent we have in school rugby. What has been particularly encouraging is seeing these young players adapt to a new competitive environment, playing alongside teammates from different schools. This is an important platform for identifying and developing the next generation of players who will represent Sri Lanka, and the finals day provided the perfect opportunity to celebrate this milestone.”

Eventistry Sports Co-Founder Karin Wijeratne said: “When we set out to build the Next XV alongside SLR, the ambition was to create something that went beyond another rugby tournament. Three weeks in, we have seen competitive rugby, passionate franchise owners, committed partners and, most importantly, 140 young players embracing a completely new opportunity. This is exactly the kind of platform we want to build for the Sri Lankan sport. The first season is only the beginning, and we are excited about what the Next XV can become.”

With the successful completion of its inaugural season, the Next XV has established a new platform for Sri Lanka’s emerging rugby talent and demonstrated the potential of a franchise-based model in strengthening the country’s rugby development pathway. SLT-Mobitel will continue to champion sporting excellence, creating opportunities for the country’s youth to grow and excel in sport.