Laughter, energy and plenty of tags filled the Junior School Grounds as Kindergarten students from Grade 2 took part in Rippa Rugby 2025, a lively two-day event that brought together fun, skill-building and the spirit of friendly competition.
Held on 28 and 29 July, the tournament welcomed all seven Grade 2 classes, each fielding two teams. That meant 14 teams of eager young players, all set to enjoy rugby in its simplest form, with no tackles but plenty of running, passing and teamwork.
The Rumble was not about scores or trophies. It was about getting everyone involved, learning the basics of the game, and building confidence in a safe, encouraging space. For many, it was their very first time on a rugby field, and they threw themselves into it with courage and enthusiasm.
The opening ceremony set the scene for an exciting two days. The Chaplain, Rev Shelton Samadanam, began proceedings with a short prayer, after which Co-Vice Principal Mr Ananda Marasinghe and Junior School Headmistress Mrs Chamali de Thissera raised the flags. Team captains then stepped forward to introduce their players to the invited guests, among them Junior School Coordinator Mrs Himali Mulleriyawa and Grade 1 Head Mrs Lakdini Rathnathilaka.
Over the two days, each team played six matches, with 21 games taking place daily. Thanks to the dedication of the referees, everything ran smoothly, allowing the boys to put their newly learned skills into action and, most importantly, enjoy every minute on the pitch.
No scores were recorded, but every child walked away a winner. At the closing ceremony, all participants received certificates, a simple but meaningful way to recognise their effort and involvement.
The Teams
Each Grade 2 class contributed two teams with creative names and committed support from teachers:
- Grade 2A Teams: Black Panthers, Turbo Tykes
- Grade 2B Teams: Blaze, Thunders
- Grade 2C Teams: Tackling Tigers, Mini Lions
- Grade 2D Teams: Kraken, Griffin
- Grade 2E Teams: Electric, Elite
- Grade 2F Teams: Mighty Hawks, Flying Falcons
- Grade 2G Teams: Titans, Avengers
Referees
Thank you to the referees who ensured fair play and guided the children gently through the games:
- Mr Sumith Rathnayake
- Mr Priyantha Gunarathna
- Mr Sarath Madugalla
- Mr Deepal Punyawardana
- Mr Damian Tennakoon
- Mr Oshan Gunarathna
- Mr Ranjan Baddegama
At Trinity, sport is key to building character. Rippa Rugby reflects the school’s commitment to teaching teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship from an early age, continuing the rugby tradition that shapes students both on and off the field.
We thank Director of Sports Mr Gihan Samarasekara for his presence and encouragement, Miss Udyoga Hettiarachchi for coordinating the event, and Mrs Sanjeevani Bandara for her leadership. Our gratitude also goes to PROMWEB for capturing the memories, the Under-16 Rugby Team for inspiring the young players, the support staff for preparing the grounds, and Mrs Nalika Gunawardena for overseeing health supervision. To every teacher on duty, your dedication made all the difference.
