Rugby: Synergy Academy celebrates third anniversary with Tag tourney

To celebrate its 3rd anniversary, Synergy Rugby Academy (SRA) will stage a gala Tag Rugby Carnival on Saturday, January 14, at Havelock Park. 

The event will feature 25 teams from schools, academies, old boy's teams and the mercantile sector, divided into 4 categories. 

"SRA was founded in 2013 with the objective of developing Junior Rugby in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, we strove to introduce the game at junior level to those schools which did not play Rugby. Today, we are pleased to note that our efforts have paid off. We were able to open the doors to many talented young boys who have taken up this beautiful game of Rugby, and are confident that they would enrich the game in the years to come. This tournament is the result of our hard work and also an opportunity for those youngsters to showcase their talent," stated SRA Founder Director Nazeem Ghaffoor. 

This gala tournament will be conducted as a tag competition with 6 schools and 3 academies competing in the Under (U)-10 and U-16 categories. 

The Open Segment will feature 10 teams, while the Over-35 Veterans category will feature 6 teams. 

"We are confident the event will provide unforeseen opportunities to all participants, mainly the younger lot. We expect a very high turnout for the event, which is expected to be a fun-filled and memorable day," Ghaffor added. 

SRA was formed in 2013 with 20 youngsters and today, it has grown to be a Rugby haven for 80 kids, mainly from lesser known and international schools not engaged in Rugby. 

Including Ghaffoor, who is also a well-read analyst and coach, there are 7 members in the coaching staff. The SRA has its training sessions at the Prison Grounds, Borella, since its inception, with plans to expand in time to come. 

The inaugural SRA Tag Rugby Carnival will be sponsored by Arpico Finance, with its Chief Executive Officer, Chandrin Fernando, as the Chief Guest for the awards ceremony at the end of the day. Senior contributors and former Rugby greats Ibrahim 'Tanker' Hamid, Tony Amit and Hisham Abdeen will grace the occasion as special invitees. 

Participating Teams: 

U-10 and U-16 for Schools & Academies: Wesley, Thurstan, HARFA, SRA, St. Thomas Prep, Mahinda, St. Benedict's, Kandy RA and Dharusalaam 

Open Segment sponsored by Arpico Finance: Amana Takaful, Amana Bank, LOLC, Arpico, Richard Peiris Finance, NDB Bank, CDB, Hatton National Bank (HNB), Peoples Leasing Company, HNB Takaful 

Over-35 Veterans: Old Zahirians, Old Wesleyites, Old Thurstanites, Old Benedictines, HARFA and Kandy RA