Thursday, 8 May 2014 00:00
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The Sri Lanka Schools Rugby season 2014 is in full swing with strong backing provided for it once again by Singer Sri Lanka PLC. This will be the 10th year that Singer supports the Singer League Tournament with over 90 schools represented by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association. Singer is also marking the 25th year of sponsoring the highly anticipated Bradby Shield Encounter. Singer has made significant contributions towards elevating the overall standard and maintaining the longevity of schools rugby in Sri Lanka.
Singer supports over 90 schools, consisting of approximately 1,875 youth playing across 300 matches, as the exclusive sponsor of the Singer League Tournament. The three-month long Singer League Tournament is held across the country in order to increase participation and interest in the rugby sport.
“When you think of Rugby in Sri Lanka you think of Singer,” said Chandrashan Perera, former Sri Lanka rugby player and coach, discussing the partnership between Singer and rugby in Sri Lanka. “Singer’s vision for rugby in Sri Lanka has always been about the bigger picture; opening doors for new talent to emerge and guaranteeing that as many rural Sri Lankan schools are involved with the sport. Singer has been there for Sri Lanka rugby in a meaningful way from day one. It is an inspiring story on corporate social responsibility,’ said Perera.
Abundant potential
Ranjith Chan-drasekera, President of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association said: “There is an abundance of potential at outstation schools on the rugby field, and such talents might never have surfaced if not for the unstinting support provided by Singer. Youth across the nation are identifying rugby as a sport with a legitimate future, thanks to the coaching, equipment and infrastructure developments that are provided to rural schools with the help of Singer.”
Singer has categorically championed rugby, among other sports in Sri Lanka, making informed investments towards talented rugby players, underprivileged rugby teams, rugby sports grounds and annual rugby events. Singer has utilised the country-wide reach of its retail network to identify and aid schools and communities that are most deserving of sports sponsorships.
Having reaped the benefits of the sponsorships provided by Singer, there are a growing number of rural schools joining the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association.
“There are manifold areas in rugby that have greatly benefitted from Singer’s sponsorships. Many of the up and coming rugby teams are from schools in Kurunegala, Galle, Avissawella, Embilipitya and Kandy, and they were able to excel due to the backing received by Singer. Rugby has also obtained a lot of media coverage because of Singer and this in turn has attracted more fans and potential players, particularly to schools rugby, from across Sri Lanka,” said Sri Lankan rugby referee Dilroy Fernando.
Singer is moreover the official schools sponsor of the one and only Bradby Shied Encounter between Royal College and Trinity College that consists of two legs; one hosted at the Royal College Sports Complex in Colombo and the other at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium in Pallekelle.
The financial backing provided by Singer enables the Royal and Trinity College rugby players to gain access to all the necessary resources needed to complete the rigorous training period that the Bradby Shield demands. Singer has continuously sponsored both schools for 25 years of the Bradby Shield’s 70 year history. By supporting one of the liveliest rugby tournaments in the world, Singer is ensuring that rugby sports traditions in Sri Lanka continue into the future.
Singer’s rugby sponsorships are further used to attract new blood to the National rugby team and towards international collaborations, which popularise Sri Lanka’s healthy rugby standards.
