The inaugural Shepherdian Netball Encounter, organised by the Iris Dunuvile de Silva Memorial Fund affiliated with St. Bridget’s Convent, was held on November 18, 2023, at the Torrington Grounds Colombo 07.

Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the Fund, Suranjani Wickremeratne, said, “In order to commemorate the 90th Birth Anniversary and 10th Death Anniversary of the late Iris Dunuvile De Silva, a teacher who rendered yeoman service in the fields of Netball, Athletics and Basketball at St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo 07, a Fund was established by past Bridgetines in her memory to assist those students in need who actively engage in the sports of Netball, Basketball and Athletics and to actively support these sports at St. Bridget’s Convent."

Accordingly, the first event organised and played for the coveted Iris Dunuvile de Silva Memorial Challenge Trophy was the Inaugural Shepherdian Netball Encounter.

The tournament was organised with the objective of bringing together the seven schools managed by the Good Shepherd Congregation under one umbrella to foster competition and camaraderie, to give the netball players of these seven schools an opportunity to outshine their talents, and to promote "Peace, Unity and Respect." The seven schools were St. Bridget’s Convent Colombo, Good Shepherd Convent Kotahena, Good Shepherd Convent Panadura, Good Shepherd Convent Kandy, St. Thomas’ Girls School Matale, St. Lawrence’s Convent Colombo, and Ave Maria Convent Negombo.

The Encounter was organised for both present and past players in the age groups of Under-16, Under-20, Under-40, and Over-40 and saw a lineup of almost 350 players playing with utmost vigour and determination to maintain the spirit of the sport.

The Chief Guest for the opening ceremony was Rev. Sr. Francine Muthugala, Community Leader of St. Bridget’s Convent, and the Guest of Honour was Rev. Sr. Sujani Fernando. The active participation of all the Rev. Sisters of all the schools, Supervisors and Principals, together with the respective Physical Training Instructors, Coaches, Presidents of the Past Pupils Associations, past pupils, parents, and well-wishers made this event a colourful and successful one.

The day was filled with excitement and ‘power play’ and concluded with a spectacular awards ceremony, with several awards being presented not only to the winners but also to the participants.

The Chief Guest for the concluding ceremony was Rev. Sr. Alexandra Mendis, Sector Coordinator, and Rev. Sr. Francine Muthugala, Community Leader, was the Guest of Honour. Rev. Sr. Alexandra Mendis, in her message to the gathering of around 500 people, stressed the importance of students past and present from all schools to be Shepherdesses in this world, leading by example and fostering peace and reconciliation beyond boundaries. She invited all to assist in the mission by giving their time, expertise, or in any other manner possible to safeguard and continue the Good Shepherd Order, which is driven by the deeper consciousness of God’s presence as the energy of love at the heart of the universe. The winners of the respective categories were as follows:

Under-16

• Winner: St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo
• 1st Runner Up: Good Shepherd Convent, Kandy
• 2nd Runner Up: St. Thomas’ Girls School, Matale
• Best Centre Court Player: Nikeetha Perera (Good Shepherd Convent, Kandy)
• Best Defence Player: Rosette de Zylva (St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo)
• Best Shooter: Jaanya Yatawaka (St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo)

Under-20
Winner: St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo

• 1st Runner Up: Good Shepherd Convent, Panadura
• 2nd Runner Up: Ave Maria Convent, Negombo
• Best Centre Court Player: Shenara Fernando (St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo)
• Best Defence Player: Minali Bamunusinghearachchi (St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo)
• Best Shooter: Methwindi Siriwardena (St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo)

Under-40

• Winner: Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena
• 1st Runner Up: Ave Maria Convent, Negombo
• 2nd Runner Up: St. Lawrence’s Convent, Colombo

Over-40

• Winner: Ave Maria Convent, Negombo
• 1st Runner Up: Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena
• 2nd Runner Up: St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo

Overall Championship: St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo

The event was sponsored by Fondre (Event Sponsor), NDB Bank (Platinum Sponsor), Earth Essence (Gold Sponsor), Co-Sponsors, Past Bridgetines, and Well Wishers.