HARFA Rugby Extravaganza on April 9
The 3rd Annual Hisham Abdeen Rugby Football Academy (HARFA) Rugby Extravaganza will be held on April 9, April 2012 at the CH & FC grounds commencing from 8.00 a.m onwards.
Teams from various age groups comprising of over 500 players from several leading schools will be participating in this event on invitation. Trinity College, Royal College Junior Academy, St. Peter’s College, Science College, St. Anthony’s College, Vidyartha College, Mahanama College, Ananda College, Zahira College, Dharmapa- la College, St. Johns College, St. Benedict’s College, Royal Panadura, Peterson Rugby Academy and Merca Rugby Academy have confirmed their participation.
An interesting feature this year that would keep the spectators on the edge of their seats would be the ladies tournament. Six teams will be taking part, adding no doubt, a lot of glamour and spice for this annual event. A parents’ vs. coaches exhibition match has also been scheduled.
It was three years ago the concept of a rugby academy was conceived by former Na- tional Captain and present National Rugby Selector Hisham Abdeen together with former National player, Sri Lanka Navy and Captain Isipathana College Comdr H.K. Sisira (rtd) together with Ivo Keerthipala, Co-ordinator Isipathana Rugby 2005-2006. The launch of the academy fulfilled a long cherished dream of Hisham Abdeen, the objective was to provide a stage for kids and young adults to learn the initial skills of rugby football correctly and then to develop them with diligent practice, under the guidance of professionals who have played the game at a top level.
The vision of the Academy is to instill the right values and basics. Rugby being a contact/collision activity, it is imperative that coaches are properly qualified and work according to a prepared scheme and programme, with the clear objective of inculcating in the students, that while winning is important the more important standard is the manner in which winning is achieved, and the quality of rugby being played. To win playing skillful and cohesive rugby with all the players being fully involved is the ultimate goal of HARFA.