The Royal College Pool hosted two back-to-back nail biting finales in the eagerly anticipated RCUAC Challenge Shield Water polo Tournament played on Saturday 8 February 2025. A packed stadium with DJ’s, Papare bands and plenty of entertainment in the carnival stalls outside, made for an unforgettable day out at Reid Avenue.
The tournament organized by the Royal College Union Aquatic Club (RCUAC) is unanimous with providing opportunity to uncover young talent and has kept pushing boundaries to emphasize the “Love of the Game”.
The Boys U17 final was a close encounter between Arch Rivals S. Thomas’ College and Royal College which went into overtime. The extra time was decided by 1 goal only making it a thrilling 12 to 11 goals contest finally claimed by the Royal College Water polo team. However, Michael Goonaratne and Dinuk Wickramasighe have certainly changed the tide in the Thomians favour who looked a superior outfit in comparison to their efforts last year. They have clearly marked their intentions on putting Royal College to the sword come the all-important Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy later in the year.
The Girls U17 final played between Ladies’ College and Vishaka Vidyalaya had all spectator and players at the edge of their seats throughout the 4 quarters only to be decided in the last quarter by a 2 goals difference in favor of Ladies’ College. The two Water polo power houses were in full flight throughout the day showing plenty of skill in the pool.
RESULTS – Champions
Boys U9 – Royal College
Boys U11- Royal Colege
Boys U13 – S. Thomas’ College
Boys U15 – Royal College
Boys U17 – Royal College
Girls U9 – Visakha Vidyalaya
Girls U11- Ladies College
Girls U13 – Bishops College
Girls U15 – Bishops College
Girls U17 – Ladies College
MVP – Ladies College – Anya Dias and Royal College – Ramiru Aluthge
The Mighty Mini Club and the Royal Enfield Club had cars and Bikes on display during the day making it an exciting experience center just outside the pool premises. The hairstyling truck provided by Unilever was a hit with all the Girls school teams as they made their way straight to it for hair care and styling options with Sunsilk after a full day in the pool and sun.
Sri Lanka Water polo has seen a huge improvement in number with this tournament brining in 450 plus athletes represented in 34 teams. The tournament format is designed to give opportunity to all teams and for the best 2 teams to enter into a final under a full capacity crowd creating that big match feeling for every player, coach, parent and spectator at the venue.
The Under 9 awards were given out by Sri Lanka’s best, Bathiya and Santhush. Their presence no doubt inspired many more teams in the future to compete for the top junior accolades in Water polo. Olympians and champion Swimmers Matthew and Kyle Abeysinghe gave out the U11 awards. The swimming stars made quite an impact in bringing the Aquatic family together at the RCUAC Challenge Shield.
The sponsors supporting the event were Norfolk Foods, Royal College Batch of 2003, John Keells Office Automation, Fonterra, LOLC Finance, Hemas, Jetwing Hotels, George Steuart, Baraka, SLIC, Unilever, Bubbleatte, Red FM, Quadrangle, thepapare, MURC Live, Royal College Photographic Society, Royal College Doctor’s Association, (RCDA), Nehemiah Consultants and Chokolaate Magazine. A special thank you to the LEO club of Royal College for all their efforts on making this a successful tournament.
This year’s tournament was under a social theme and collaborated with the Rotaract Club Colombo Uptown (RCCU) to bring awareness to their project “Spectra” to support Down Syndrome and Autism. This is in aid to establish a cognitive Wellness Centre at the UFCM tower, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. The RCUAC was happy to work with RCCU on their efforts to create a better Sri Lanka.
