It was 20th February 2009, A set of young rugby players in the under Ten team from Agoal Rugby Academy, Sri Lanka were warming up for their 1st ever international rugby match at Patana Grounds Bangkok Thailand.
The tournament conducted by Bangkok Lions RFC was for several age groups from under Eight to Sixteen. When the referee blew the whistle inviting the captains for the toss the under ten lads from Sri Lanka noticed a well built player from the team warming up on the other side of the ground (which they thought it was under 16 for their physical size) coming up for the toss.
Whilst some of the adults at the grounds were sympathizing with the smaller made Sri Lankans the smallest of the Agoal team Diresh Halpe said’ Size does not matter to us let’s play hard, Even if we go to hospital let us win this match.”. One by one, the players in the team were motivated and when they entered the playing field they had built in their minds a strong will power that helped the team to win the match after a tough battle.
With that opening all our Academy junior rugby players played their hearts out. In fact the coaches of other teams called Agoal Academy juniors as ‘BRAVE HEARTS’ from Sri Lanka. And at the end of the tournament all four teams of the ‘Agoal Rugby Academy’ was able to secure four awards (cup and plate championship) in different age groups.
The future of Sri Lanka rugby appears much brighter. The competition at domestic schools rugby tournament is getting more competitive with more schools participating and with the organization of international tours of this nature (for the first time in Sri Lanka for many junior age groups) gives the much needed opportunities to young rugby players to bench mark and of course taste the sweet victories over their International counterparts and build confidence in them. Besides rugby they were able to fathom foreign culture, their life styles, International environment in their own way and display the traditional Sri Lankan warmth, friendship and most importantly the discipline and values which won the hearts of all in the grounds.
This year the Agoal rugby academy will be taking 98 junior rugby players for 2010 international Rugby Football tournament and once again the academy creates history by taking the youngest players who are under 8 years of age.
Whilst appreciating the good work done by Mr Dilroy Fernando the Director of the academy, the committed Coaches and volunteers who assist the academy, we thank all sponsors, advertisers, parents of players and others who rallied round us to take these young players to the international rugby arena for the 2nd time and I wish they will perform well.
Sarath Fernando
Parent
