Kia Motors (Lanka), Brandix and Anchor in joint sponsorship to reward team for phenomenal performances in 2017 season
Friday 1st September 2017: Fresh off a triumphant season culminating in being crowned league champions in schools U-20 rugby, the high-riding 1st XV team of Royal College is to test its skills in New Zealand backed by support from team sponsors Kia Motors (Lanka), Brandix and tour sponsor Anchor.
Announcing a 10-day tour commencing 8th September, during which the team will play two games against schools in Auckland and Northland, team officials said the 36-member contingent would also participate in camps conducted by New Zealand coaches, and attend sessions with strength and conditioning experts.
Facilitated by the fraternity of Old Royalists domiciled in New Zealand, the tour is a reward for an exceptional season during which the team retained the coveted Bradby Shield beating arch rivals Trinity College and won the league championship.
In New Zealand, the team will play its first schools game on 11th September against Rangitoto College at Rangitoto Grounds, North Shore. The second schools game against Kings College is scheduled to be played on 14th September at Otahuhu.
The team will also have sessions with former All Blacks Head Coach Sir Graham Henry as well as former All Black greats Sir John Kirwan and Joe Stanley as part of the itinerary in New Zealand.
Addressing media on behalf of Kia Motors, Royal Rugby’s principal team sponsor for the past six years, the company’s Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer Mr Andrew Perera said: “We have watched with great interest how the rugby development programme at Royal College has evolved and impacted positively on the performances of teams in all age groups. This year’s First XV team exceeded expectations, and we are happy to support this initiative to give the boys some valuable exposure in a rugby-loving country like New Zealand.”
Representing Brandix, team sponsor of Royal Rugby, Rajiv Malalasekera, a former Captain of Royal Rugby 1st XV and CEO of Brandix Apparel Solutions – Lingerie said: “As a reputed corporate entity that is driven by the mantra to inspire people and teams in achieving their aspirations and to excel at the highest level with humility and respect, Brandix is delighted with the passion, inspired commitment and flair displayed by the Royal College rugby team in the concluded season. This tour of New Zealand should contribute significantly to developing the player and coaches skills for future success.”
The Chairman of the Royal College Rugby Advisory and Management Committee Mr Rohantha Pieris expressed the College’s heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of the unwavering support Royal Rugby has received from all the corporate sponsors. “We are grateful to Dr Muralitharan, Royal College Basketball Captain of 1980, for organising this tour and hosting the team in New Zealand, as well as all the old boys, well-wishers, Arinma Holdings, Classic Travels, Hameedias, Ravi Subramanian and Mr Krishan George, who came forward to make this tour a reality,” he said. “The support of the corporate sponsors and all the other stakeholder groups who helped Royal College Rugby Advisory & Management Committee to facilitate this tour will undoubtedly be a vital impetus for the future of Sri Lankan rugby, through such rare exposure and experience these budding Royal rugby players will receive during the tour of New Zealand.”