Royal College that has a proud history with the oval ball is set to tackle its centenary year of playing the game of rugby in 2020. Royal College takes pride in being one of the leading schools that has produced winning teams over its 100 years in the game. Taking on rugby as early as 1916, the first match was played with arch rivals Trinity College, Kandy in 1920. Matches against other schools started eventually such as against Zahira College in 1925, St. Peters College in 1932, St. Josephs College in 1955 and S. Thomas College in 1956.
The team will be looking forward to defend the League Championship as well as the much coveted Bradby Shield this year as well, which is the 76th Bradby Shield encounter. 2019 was a victorious year with Royal College retaining the Bradby Shield for the fifth consecutive year against Trinity College winning with an aggregate of 47 points to 41 and emerging as the Schools League Champions for the third consecutive year. They also walked away with the Michael Gunaratne Trophy played against S. Thomas College, winning it for the third year in a row by 17-10 as well as the Major Milroy Fernando Trophy against Isipathana College emerging victorious by 19-6.
Speaking at the event of the launching the season, Chairperson of Royal College Rugby Match Organizing Committee, Athula Munasinghe stated it is a special year for Royal College Rugby to celebrate 100 years of the game that we all have come to love. Rugby is a game that teaches perseverance, integrity and team spirit like no other. I am sure that the message of instilling respect to others, inculcating values and enhancing leadership qualities in players through rugby will be carried forward another 100 years and more.
A logo for Royal College Rugby was also launched to represent the rich history of Royal Rugby and to highlight the true commitment towards the sport. It represents the respect that is extended towards opponents, the passion towards rugby as well as the competitiveness and skills of the teams that have and continue to represent Royal College over the years.
Royal College Rugby is graciously sponsored by NDB Bank this year as the Main Event sponsor. Arinma Holdings continues to extend their sponsorship as the Teams Main Sponsor for the second consecutive year. The title of co-sponsor of the team is held by Brandix Lanka who has been part of Royal College Rugby for several years. In addition Bolt Gear joins Royal College Rugby as Official Clothing Partner, while Lanka Hospitals takes on the role of Official Healthcare Partner along with Vision Care coming in as the Official Optical Partner. Home Lands Holdings is the Official Tusker Partner, who sponsors the season pass to all ˜Tuskers members of the Royal College support group.
NDB Banks Chief Executive Officer Dimantha Seneviratne said that Rugby and the Bradby Shield have always been important aspects of college sports. Hence, we will be joining hands with Royal College, as well as Trinity College to support sports on a school level.
Trinity College, Kandy and Royal College, Colombo have been playing Rugby against each other since 1920. Ever since the Shield was donated in 1945 by the then Royal Principal E.L. Bradby to the winner of the encounters on the aggregate score, the encounters have been continued throughout the years, meeting this time for the 76th year.
The most important inter School Match Royal College played is against Trinity College for the Bradby Shield. It is also the only game that has been continued, even during World War Two.
The lads from Reid Avenue will come out for the first time this season when they confront St. Anthonys College, Katugastota on March 7 (Saturday) at the Royal Sports Complex.
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