Kandyan Rugby Acadamy

Huge appreciation post for our incredible coach, Mr.Azad 🙌

The work you’ve done with Kandyan Rugby Academy this season has been outstanding. The hours on the training pitch, the belief you put into every single player, the way you’ve built this team — it shows.

You don’t just coach rugby, you build character, confidence, and a real team spirit. We’re so lucky to have you.

Thank you, Coach! 🏉💪

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✨ "Yesterday’s dream, today’s reality." ✨

An incredibly special and emotional evening at our Jersey Presentation. Seeing our seasoned veterans pass the torch and present match T-shirts to the next generation making their debuts was a powerful reminder of what this Acadamy is all about.

We aren’t just building rugby players; we are building a family. Watching the pride in the room—from parents, coaches, and teammates alike—proved that this badge means everything.

The jersey is yours for now. Go out there and write your chapter. 📖🏆



Kandyan Rugby Acadamy ower

The Legacy of the Bradby Shield: A Century of Schoolboy Rugby Excellence

The Bradby Shield Encounter stands undisputed as the blue-ribbon event of Sri Lanka's schools' rugby calendar. Played annually between Royal College, Colombo, and Trinity College, Kandy, it represents far more than a standard schoolboy sports fixture. Drawing passionate crowds of over 20,000 spectators—regularly eclipsing the attendance of club and international matches—the Bradby is a masterclass in tradition, fierce sporting rivalry, and lifelong brotherhood.

The Genesis: Pre-Shield Era (1920–1944)

The historic relationship on the rugby pitch officially commenced on July 31, 1920, when the inaugural match was played at the Royal College Grounds in Colombo. In these early decades, rugby was still a nascent sport in Ceylon, and the fixtures were somewhat irregular, usually limited to a single annual game.

Trinity College, having embraced the sport much earlier in 1906, heavily dominated this initial quarter-century. They maintained a formidable unbeaten streak against Royal for two decades, winning 24 out of the first 27 matches played. Royal College finally achieved a monumental breakthrough in 1941, defeating Trinity 11–3 under the inspired leadership of legendary sporting figures like Summa Nawaratnam. By 1943, public interest had risen sufficiently to expand the fixture into a two-match series.

Birth of the Bradby Shield (1945)

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the rivalry, Edward Lawrence Bradby, the Principal of Royal College from 1939 to 1945, sought to formalize the annual encounter and foster lasting sportsmanship before his departure from the island. He offered a perpetual prize, which was warmly accepted by Trinity's principal, C. E. Simithraaratchy.

The trophy itself is a masterpiece of local craftsmanship: a wooden disc heavily adorned with intricate, traditional Kandyan silverwork.

In the inaugural 1945 Shield encounter, Royal College won the opening leg in Colombo 3–0. However, the Trinity Lions fought back fiercely in the return leg in Kandy to win 6–0, claiming the first-ever Bradby Shield on a tight 6–3 aggregate score.

Eras of Dominance and Unbroken Traditions

Over its long history, the Bradby Shield has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. It has weathered political upheavals and social changes, only ever being halted by the JVP insurrection of 1971 (where only the first leg was completed) and the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The rivalry has produced legendary statistical milestones and iconic moments of drama:

•The Longest Streak: Trinity College holds the record for the longest consecutive shield defense, keeping the trophy for six straight years from 1952 to 1957.

•The Record Margin: In 2002, Royal College put forth arguably the most dominant display in Bradby history. Led by Zulki Hamid, Royal won the first leg 39–0 and the second leg 44–0, securing the shield with a staggering 83–0 aggregate shutout.

•Tense Stalemates: In the event of a dead heat on aggregate score, the rules dictate that the current shield holders retain the trophy. Rare aggregate ties—such as in 1992 and 2016—have provided some of the most heart-stopping finishes in school sports history.

The Modern Spectacle

Today, the environment surrounding the games is electric. The travel of thousands of alumni and students between Colombo and Kandy famously gave rise to the "Bradby Express" train tradition, turning the match weeks into vibrant celebrations.

While the modern era features world-class tactics, high-performance training, and intense media scrutiny, the core ethos remains unchanged. When the final whistle blows on the second leg, the fierce on-field hostility instantly evaporates, replaced by traditional post-match social gatherings. It remains an enduring testament to the code of amateur sportsmanship originally envisioned by Principal Bradby a century ago.

To get a taste of the modern atmosphere and hear perspectives from past legends who have played in this historic fixture, you can watch The 80th Bradby Shield Special today. This preview breaks down the intense tactical battles, the immense pressure the players face, and exactly what this historic rivalry does to a person.Rugby - Trinity College KandyRoyal College

-Fazly Fazeer

🦁 TRINITY COLLEGE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! 🦁

The long wait is over, and the crown returns to Kandy! Trinity College has officially captured the 2026 Schools Rugby League Championship title! 🏆🔥

From the relentless tackles to the breathtaking tries, these boys gave everything for the jersey. They fought with the heart of lions and proved themselves to be the undisputed kings of schoolboy rugby this season. 🔴🟡🔵

Thank you to the dedicated coaching staff, the tireless management, and every single fan who cheered them on from the stands and from afar. This victory is for the entire Trinity family! 🛡️✨

Drop a 🔴🟡🔵 in the comments to congratulate the champions!

Rugby - Trinity College Kandy

We are coming to Akurana

“Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.” — Gautama Buddha

📣🎉 KRA Maha Dansala 2026 🎉📣

For the first time ever, we are delighted to present “KRA Maha Dansala” — a day of sharing, community spirit, and celebration! 🌟

🗓️ Date: 30th May
⏰ Time: From 8.00 a.m. onwards
📍 Venue: Rakada Grounds

Join us with your family and friends for a memorable day filled with joy, togetherness, and generosity. Everyone is welcome to be part of this special occasion.

🍌🍪 Delicious refreshments and treats await!
🎊 Fun-filled atmosphere for all ages
🤝 Celebrating the true spirit of giving and community

Come and experience the warmth of KRA as we gather for this grand event.

All are welcome! ❤️💙

🎉🙏 Kandyan Rugby Acadamy ShakeerTk JahanFazly FazeerMohamed Faraz FazeerMohamedAzad Azad

Rugby football was first introduced to school education in Sri Lanka at Kingswood College Kandy during the period between 1891 and 1893. The game was brought to the school by its founder and principal, Louis Edmund Blaze, widely recognized as the “Father of School Rugby” in Sri Lanka for his pioneering contribution to the development of the sport among schoolboys.

The emergence of organized schools rugby in the country was marked in 1906 with the first officially recorded inter-school rugby encounter played between Kingswood College Kandy and Trinity College Kandy. This historic fixture is regarded as the foundation of structured school rugby competition in Sri Lanka.

Chronological Development

* 1891 — Establishment of Kingswood College Kandy
* 1891–1893 — Introduction of rugby football to the school by Louis Edmund Blaze
* 1906 — First recorded inter-school rugby match: Kingswood College vs Trinity College

By Fazly Fazeer