Schools rugby kicked to touch

School rugby had been a big crowd puller in the late 80s as it generated tremendous excitement. Fast and open rugby was dished out at most of the matches and spectators were in their numbers at most key inter-school rugby matches during that era.

Despite the presence of many elite Sri Lanka national players at inter-club matches, school rugby matches have been better crowd pullers as rugby fans preferred backing their alma mater than club affiliations. Hence, almost all key inter-school rugby matches played in the late 80s and early 90s had capacity crowds.

But that trend has gradually faded away. True that we still find a packed stadium for the traditional Bradby Shield encounters between Royal and Trinity. But lack of spectator interest was evident at most of the inter-school games played now.

The President’s Trophy tournament, which was introduced way back in 1984 was well received by rugby loving public. It was initially confined to clubs but from the following year, a separate tournament for schools too was run concurrently.

In the late 80s it was always prestigious to win the President’s trophy and the head of State graced the finals to give away the glittering President’s trophies to the champions of the schools and club tournaments.

Isipatana was the invincible force in schools rugby in that era and won the President’s trophy in its first two years. It was Trinity that produced the next champion side under Tyrell Rajapakse in 1987.

Then came that right Royal era in schools rugby as the Reid Avenue Boys were the undisputed champions under Lasitha Gunaratne in 1998. The next champion team was from Mt. Lavinia as S. Thomas’ won the title in 1989.

The interest and enthusiasm in school rugby increased tremendously during that era. As a result, spectators were in their numbers for the flood-lit President’s trophy rugby matches at Sugathadasa Stadium.

There was keen interest amongst rugby playing schools to do well in their normal inter-school matches and find a place amongst the top eight teams that were fortunate enough to play in the President’s trophy tournament.

There was no separate governing body for school rugby then. Instead, there was a schools section attached to the national governing body - the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Union (SLRFU). Though it was not a big wing and a separate body unlike today, the SLRFU Schools Section administered school rugby in a highly organised manner.

There was no big sponsorship for the officials to spend. There were no big celebrations. Yet, the two of the most eminent school rugby administrators of that era - President Lal Kumarasinghe and Secretary M.S. Zainudeen of the SLRFU Schools Section handled the affairs competently.

But what had happened to that prestigious tournament now? It is a pathetic situation where the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA) finds only four teams to play in the President’s trophy tournament. What a shame!

Some of the school rugby officials in the past thought they should get ‘independence’ from the SLRFU. Together with some of the power hungry officials of the Education Ministry of that era, demanded liberty and ‘self governance’.

But those school rugby officials did not know how the Schools Section operated with the financial assistance and resources of the parent body, the SLRFU.

Yet, those officials managed to form a separate governing body for school rugby - the SLSRFA. But what role is this so-called school rugby governing body playing now? Forget about the promotion of the game altogether, they can’t even earn the respect of member schools.

That is why half of the participating school teams withdrew from President’s trophy tournament, not only knocking out its glamour out completely but also degrading a tournament which had a prestigious origin.

It is the duty of the SLSRFA to get the best eight school teams to play in the tournament.

No excuses should be accepted. If the schools can’t play at full strength due to examinations or migration of students for higher studies, then those schools must endeavour to field makeshift teams with their second XV players. But a school can’t withdraw at the eleventh hour giving lame excuses.

But inexperience and lack of professionalism has put our school rugby in a pathetic situation. School rugby would not have experienced such a pathetic situation if the Schools Section had been functioning under the SLRFU.

We are not saying that the breakaway of the school section in entirely a bad exercise. If the SLSRFA has a vision and capable people to handle its affairs in a professional and dedicated manner, things would have become brighter.

Unfortunately, things have not been happening in that style. Most officials hold those posts for glory and don’t have time to devote for the betterment of the game. Secondly, they don’t have a vision to scrum and go forward and are not armed with strategies to generate funds.

School rugby has a huge market potential. But the officials have not made use of that to generate funds and depend on the unimpressive sponsorship deals of a long standing sponsor.

Perhaps, that sponsor too may be reluctant to increase their budget as they are not getting the mileage they expect. In fairness to the sponsor, the SLSRFA has not taken adequate steps to protect the interest of the sponsor and impress on them to increase the sponsorship by a considerable sum.

Over the years, school rugby was the place where the future stars were found. It was the breeding ground for outstanding youngsters to blossom and sport the national colours. But we hardly see schoolboy stars at present. The SLSRFU must pull up their socks and make every effort to score for the game.