Joes aiming high as Schools Rugby season set off

St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, will eagerly anticipate a win in their season opener game of the Dialog Inter-School Rugby League 2024 against Vidyartha College on Friday, June 14, at Havelock Park.

The ‘Saints’ or ‘Joes’, as they are preferred to be referred by their ardent followers, will play a total of nine games during and after the league season, which includes two traditional games played for trophies.

Joes rugby have been boosted in the past few years with great performances by their recent sides, inclusive of a historic Schools Knockout title under Vinul Fernando in 2017, beating top guns Isipathana College in the final, this season too they anticipate to turn tables on their opponents on the way to the league plum.

Led by senior campaigner Vishika Fernando, also the No.8 of the side, Joes will have the able service of lock Janith Marasinghe as vice captain, a player who impressed for the Darley Road School last season.

Among other seniors to watch out are scrumhalf Senithu Eran and flyhalf Bheeshama Jayasekara. All were present to receive the official playing jersey from the school’s Rector, Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi.

The side will be coached by Nilfer Ibrahim, who led Police Sports Club to shocking wins against league winners CR&FC and Havelocks on their way to the Clifford Cup Knockout title, and will be assisted by Dulanjana Wijesinghe.

The team will be managed by Ruklan Cabral. Both Ibrahim and Cabral were part of the winning Sri Lanka coaching unit, in the recent Asian Rugby Division I Men’s Championship held in Colombo.  

St. Joseph’s College unveiled its plans for this season’s school rugby campaign while honouring their partners and sponsors, who have come forward to boost the first XV team in 2024.

An official press conference was held in Colombo led by the St. Joseph’s College Rugby Advisory Committee, where the school received the sponsorship packages from their partners and the new playing kit were unveiled.

Among sponsors who have come aboard to support Joes Rugby are Acorn Group, a conglomerate with operations in aviation, outbound travel and destination management, as main sponsor. Allianz Insurance have continued their commitment for yet another season as the platinum sponsor.

Among other sponsors who have stepped up to boost Joes Rugby are Prima Kottu Mee of Ceylon Agro Industries Prima Group, while DigiMe Ads as the official social media partner.

“We sincerely appreciate the support of our sponsors and well-wishers. We hope our boys will do well this season, and to players, your jersey is an honour earned through hard work, determination, resilience, perseverance, discipline and unwavering commitment to excellence, both on and off the field,” noted Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, the Rector of St. Joseph’s College. 

Harith Perera, Partner of Acorn Group, during his speech at the press conference, motivated the members of the rugby who were present at the occasion, by outlining the importance of upholding unity towards achieving greater heights.

“St. Joseph’s have a challenging season, inclusive of the two traditional matches played for the Lady Jayathilake Shield and the Rev. Fr. Basil Wiratunga Memorial Trophy. I’m sure St. Joseph’s will be able to bring back those two silverwares back to Darley Road, as well as the league title, with our backing and importantly, the spirit of the striving team. As sponsors that would be a proud moment for us, to be a part of success,” stated Harith Perera, Partner of Acorn Group at the gathering.

Officials of St. Joseph’s College Rugby Advisory Committee, staff members of St. Joseph’s, including Rector Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Ruwan Deshapriya and Prefect of Games, Rev. Fr. Samesh Anthony, representatives of sponsors Acorn Group, Allianz Insurance, Ceylon Agro Industries and DigiMe Ads, members of Joes Hornets, senior member of the first XV rugby team and its coaching staff as well as well-wishers and supporters of Joes Rugby were present at the event held at Elevate by Jetwing in Colombo.

St. Joseph’s Rugby Season 2024

June 14: vs Vidyartha College at Havelock Park

June 22: vs Zahira College at Maradana
June 29: vs Thurstan College at Ratmalana
July 5: vs Wesley College at Havelock Park
July 13: vs St. Peter’s College at Bambalapitiya
July 19: vs Royal College at Havelock Park
July 26: vs Kingswood College at Havelock Park
TBD: vs S. Thomas’ College (Lady Jayatilleke Shield)
TBD: vs St. Peter’s College (Fr. Basil Wiratunga Memorial Trophy)