Martin, Yoshitha and Land Rover to develop schools rugby

An exciting rugby development programme is to be introduced to schools in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province in an initiative by Frontier Automotive, sole agent in Sri Lanka for Land Rover.

The programme will utilize the knowledge of former England rugby captain Martin Corry and will be spearheaded by the Sri Lanka Navy rugby team captain Yoshitha Rajapaksa in his capacity as Brand Ambassador for Land Rover.

Martin Corry, who was in Sri Lanka last week to train the Navy rugby team at the invitation of Frontier Automotive, visited the D. A. Rajapaksa ground at Beliatta in Tangalle with Yoshitha Rajapaksa and representatives of Frontier Automotive to launch the programme.

In its first phase, the Land Rover Schools Rugby Development Programme will introduce the game to 100 children between the ages of 10 and 15 from eight schools in the Southern Province.

Five rugby coaches from Colombo, who accompanied the visitors to the launch of the programme, were advised by Martin Corry on how to structure and run the programme.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa has also pledged to canvass the support of Navy Sports Club and other interested entities to expand the programme and provide needy southern schools with coaching resources.

A similar programme for schools in the Northern Province is also envisaged at a later stage.

“Land Rover is synonymous with rugby internationally, and has extended its interest to Sri Lanka by becoming the Principal Sponsor of the Navy rugby team,” said Sheran Fernando, CEO of Frontier Automotive (Pvt) Ltd. “The Schools Rugby Development programme is a valuable expansion of our commitment to the growth of the sport in Sri Lanka.”