Sri Lanka Rugby prop up with SLSRFA to conduct Virtual WR Pathway Programs

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Development Chairman Fazal Mohamed along with Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) headed B.A. Abeyratne had a positive meeting which will see the Virtual World Rugby Courses conducted under a special program with the Ministry of Education in the near future. 

Speaking to Daily FT, SLSRFA Development Committee Chairman Oshara Panditharatne said, “There are over 3,500 sports officers appointed by the Ministry of Education to develop sports activities all over the island and we have already requested them to apply for this program where over 20% of them are females who are keen sports enthusiasts. We wanted to offer them a professional qualification in rugby with the SLR’s World Rugby Educators. “This pathway will train them to become World Rugby qualified coaches, referees and officials while taking the game to the rural areas of the island. So far there are over 450 registrations for the program and this will be a huge boost to the sport in the country.”

SLR Training and Education Consultant and former leading Referee Dilroy Fernando said, “Our plan is to introduce rugby starting from coaching children, World Rugby Online prerequisites such as Rugby Ready, GIR and Law Exams as it’s important to know all elements such as the values of the game before you start to become coaches, referees or officials.” Speaking further the former Isipathana, CR and national player said, “We will conduct these programs and afterwards the sports officers will teach the youngsters in their local area. We want to start rugby as soon as possible and we are doing everything possible for this.” 

Former Peterite and Chairman of SLR Rugby Development committee Fazal Mohamed said, “This is an excellent start and we are extremely excited to start this program together with SLSRFA and the Ministry of Education to take the game to the next level and I am sure we can go a long way by joining hands together as Schools Rugby is the foundation of the Sri Lanka National Rugby team.”