Rugby: Synergy Academy awards planned

Synergy Rugby Academy, one of the few private rugby nurseries and finishing schools in the country, is planning to hold its inaugural awards ceremony, which will also earmark the schools level. 

The academy founded in 2013 by former Nazim Ghaffoor, a former Zahira College, Old Zahira Sports Club and referee, turned coach, will consider the concluded Singer Schools League, Milo Presidents Trophy Knockout and the Schools Under-19 Sevens tournaments in selecting its very own 'Colombo Synergy Rugby Player of the Year'. 

"We have heard about other awards ceremonies but what we are attempting to establish here is a longstanding commitment towards rugby. We will award the players of Synergy Rugby Academy after assessing their annual performances for the concluded year and in addition we will select and honour the best player among schools based on performances from all three schools rugby competitions," Ghaffoor stated. 

The player in line for the Colombo Synergy Rugby Player of the year will be selected by a panel of rugby experts from different areas of rugby. 

The players are initially picked upon the nominations received from the rugby playing schools and all entries will be scrutinised by the panel. 

"We are not only looking at the playing abilities, also their other achievements at academic level and further accomplishments will be considered seriously. The player will not just receive a trophy and a certificate, but something more that will further help his career," Ghaffoor added. 

In addition to the awards that will be given away among the up and coming players of Synergy Rugby Academy, the cynosure will be on the star player from schools competitions on the evening of July 26 at the Sasakawa Hall in Colombo 3.