RCUAC Challenge Shield 2025: “For the love of the game”

Friday, 31 January 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s premier junior water polo tournament returns

The Royal College Union Aquatics Club (RCUAC) is set to host the highly anticipated RCUAC Challenge Shield 2025 Water Polo Tournament on Saturday, 8 February, 2025 at the Royal College Swimming Pool. This year’s tournament promises to be an exciting and action-packed event, bringing together nearly 50 teams from 15 top schools and clubs across Sri Lanka, all vying for the coveted Challenge Shield.

Under the theme “For the love of the game,” the tournament provides an important platform for young athletes to showcase their water polo skills and grow the sport among the next generation of players. With around 600 athletes competing in age group categories ranging from Under-9 to Under-17, the 2025 edition of the RCUAC Challenge Shield is poised to be the most thrilling yet.

Participating schools and clubs:

Schools: Bishop’s College, Musaeus College, Ladies’ College, Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo International School, Gateway College, Ananda College, D.S. Senanayake College, Thurstan College, Nalanda College, S’Thomas’ College, St. John’s College, Zahira College, Wesley College, and Royal College.

Clubs: SSC, BCOGA, LCOGA, VVOGA, OTSC, and RCPUAC.

The tournament will be officiated by the SLASU Elite Panel of Referees, ensuring a fair and competitive environment for all teams.

Exciting matchups and highlights:

nUnder-9 and Under-11: Nalanda College will defend their Junior Title against a rising S’Thomas’s College team and a dominant Royal College side in their home pool.

Under-13 and Under-15: Bishop’s College is expected to be a strong contender in a category historically dominated by Visakha Vidyalaya and Ladies’ College.
Under-15: Wesley College and Thurstan College, after last year’s thrilling matches decided by a single goal, are poised for another close contest.
Under-15: A historic first matchup between Colombo International School and Gateway College – two of Sri Lanka’s top international schools.
Under-17: As Sri Lanka prepares its athletes for the Under-17 Asian Age Group Championships 2025, the Under-17 matches will play a key role in shaping future national talents.

The tournament will not only highlight thrilling water polo action but also bring a festive atmosphere for families and fans to enjoy. Highlights include DJ and papare bands to energise the crowd and enhance the match day atmosphere, carnival and experience centres in the car park offering food, drinks, crafts, and family-friendly activities for a fun day out.

The event is proudly supported by several prominent sponsors, including Norfolk Foods, Royal College Batch of 2003, John Keels Office Automation, Fonterra, Red FM, Quadrangle, thepapare.com, MURC Live, Royal College Photographic Society, Lanka Hospitals, Jetwing Hotels and Nehemiah Consultants.

The RCUAC Challenge Shield 2025 will also feature a special Masters game between Royal College and S’Thomas’ College, rekindling old rivalries and friendships, and perfectly capturing the essence of the tournament’s theme – “For the love of the game.”