by Ravi Nagahawatte
Galle Rugby Football Club will host its first A Division Inter-club League Rugby Tournament fixture on June 1 (Saturday) against Kandy Youth Sports Club at the Koggala Trade Zone Ground.

The Manager of the club, S.H.A Imran, says that Galle will be ready for this historic occasion as he feels that the ground at the Koggala Trade Zone can accommodate as many as 2000 spectators.

"The ground is in good condition. Galle RFC hosted the Singer Super Sevens Inter-club rugby tournament in February this year. There were no complaints from participating clubs as to the condition of the ground," said Imran.

The Koggala Trade Zone Grounds also boasts of having a pavilion which can house around 150 spectators.

Galle RFC has been authorised by the Sri Lanka Rugby Union’s Tournament Committee to host five out of ten matches which have been scheduled for them.

Quintin Israel, the teams coach, when contacted said that the team consisted mostly of schoolboys.

"Shifting from B Division to A Division is a big step. The boys are prepared to take up the challenge. The players will be up against big names so one can’t expect miracles to happen. But I must say that we are optimistic in pulling off a win this season. We (Galle RFC) have a long way to go. I know very little of the players," said Israel who had his last coaching stint with an A Division club, Havelocks Sports Club, in 1980.

Israel is one of Sri Lanka’s veteran coaches who at one time handled prominent rugby playing schools like S.Thomas’ and Trinty.

He is credited for giving S.Thomas’ College champion status in the late nineteen eighties and guided Trinity to win the Bradby Shield on five occasion in the six years he coached the team from the hills.