Controversy brews ahead of 2024 Schools Rugby League

By Shamseer Jaleel

The 2024 Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 is set to kick off in mid-June, with two groups of 8 teams each battling it out for the prestigious title. While the tournament is eagerly anticipated by fans, a cloud of controversy is already looming over the event.

According to the tournament organisers, Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA), after the completion of in round 1, top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Round, which will be played at a neutral venue. Isipathana and Royal have expressed their concerns over this arrangement. These two schools already sent letters to SLSRFA. More schools are likely to follow with letters to the organisers to re-think their plans once more.

One of the key talking points is the perceived dominance of St. Peter’s College, who are tipped to be strong contenders for the league title this time as well. Coached by veteran and arguably the most experienced, Sanath Martis who is also the CH and FC and National Head Coach at present. The Bambalapitiya-based school have long been a powerhouse in the local schools rugby scene for the last decade plus and their inclusion in the league is sure to stir up plenty of excitement. Both Royal and Isipathana too could give a good run for the Peterites and it’s for sure not going to be one horse race this season.

Despite the objections, the organisers of the Dialog Schools Rugby League have remained steadfast in their decision to hold the second-round matches at a neutral venue. They argue that this format will help to show the best teams in the country and provide a more exciting and engaging tournament for the fans.

As the anticipation builds towards the start of the 2024 Dialog Schools Rugby League, the debate over the format and the role of powerhouse teams like St. Peter’s is sure to continue. Fans and stakeholders alike will be closely watching to see how the tournament unfolds and whether the concerns of teams like Isipathana and Royal will be addressed.

Reigning champions St. Peter’s are grouped along with Royal, Kingswood, Vidyartha, Thurstan, Wesley, St. Joseph’s and Sahira in group A while in Group B are Kandy Sri Sumangala, Trinity, Dharmaraja, St. Anthony’s, Science, S’Thomas, Isipathana and D.S.

Reigning champions St. Peter’s commenced this season (2024) with two impressive performances. One was winning the Zahira International Invitations Sevens and the other was the School Rugby Sevens. Peterites were in a class of their own and gave enough signs that they will continue from where they stopped last season and proved in tandem early this season in the shorter version of the game.

Peterites are the defending League and President Trophy knockout champions. The only team that posed a threat to St. Peter’s was Isipathana, The two schools initially met in the super round of the league tournament, where the lads from Bambalapitiya beat the Isipathana outfit 22/17. The two teams then met again in the President Trophy knockout final, where St. Peter’s won 25/16.

Trinity and Royal lock horns in the Blue ribbon event, the Bradby Shield encounters with the first leg scheduled for 24 August at the Royal Sports Complex, while the decider at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekele on 7 September.

It has been a long wait for the lads from Kandy to win the Bradby Shield, which they last won in 2014 under Tarinda Ratwatte. In between in the past 2 years there were no encounters due to COVID-19, while one year the game was tied.

Once again, experienced Coaching staff will handle the leading schools. Dushantha Lewke (Royal), Nilfer Ibrahim (Joes), Fazil Marija (Trinity), Shamly Nawas (Zahira), Sumedha Malawana (Vidyartha), Saliya Kumara (Isipathana), Terence Henry (Wesley) and Kavinda Jayasena (Dharmaraja) to name a few.

In summary it’s going to be a good season with St. Peter’s favoured with Royal and Isipathana could give a good run while Joes, Trinity, Vidyartha and D.S. could also possess some threats this season which is only one month away from the kick off with the sponsors getting ample millage in the most looked forward sporting event among the schools.