Holy Family Convent (HFC), Kurunegala, emerged overall champions of the all-island Schools Netball Championships 2008, sponsored by ‘Milo,’ recently.

They won five titles in all in the tournament, three of them in ‘A’ division (Under-12, 14, 16 age categories) and two in ‘B’ division (Under-14, 16 age categories).

The tournament was held for three days { August 2, 3 and 4} at Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala, with the sponsorship of ‘Nestle Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd.’ In inter-school level netball, this was the first time that a school have won five titles in one tournament and, except for Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya and Maliyadewa Balika, HFC, Kurunegala, is the only school to have won an overall championship in this fashion.

HFC, Kurunegala, won 24 points while the first runner-up position was taken by Girls’ High School, Kandy, { with 13 points} . The second runner-up was Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya with 10 points.

The tournament was conducted in 14 district centers for the 16th occasion for the Milo Trophy. This time, about 336 teams competed for the Championship Trophy under four age group categories. The specialty of this year’s tournament was the introduction of the ‘B’ division competition. That is for teams placed at 5th and 6th positions in competitions at district centers.

HFC’s performance was a great achievement and something special too as the school has started playing netball only in 2004.

In ‘A’ division U-12 final, HFC, Kurunegala, beat Ave Maria Convent, Negombo, 12/5. Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya became second runner up in that category. The best player of that category was T.D. Ranahansi Nimna of HFC, Kurunegala.

HFC, Kurunegala, also won the U-14 category final beating Girls’ High School, Kandy, 17/12. Musaeus College, Colombo, won the consolation final. Despite ending in the losing side, the best player of that category, Gayanjali Amarawansa, came from Girls’ High School, Kandy.

In the U-16 final, the HFC opponents were Musaeus College and HFC won quite convincingly 33/17. Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya ended as second runner-up. Dulangi Chamalka was declared the best player and she came from HFC, Kurunegala.

The only title won by any other school in ‘A’ division was in the U-18 category where Girls’ High School, Kandy, beat Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo, 22/20. Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya had to be satisfied with the second runner-up position. Wenuri Ranasingha of Vishaka was named the best player of that category.

In U-12 final of ‘B’ division, Ketapath Vehera Maha Vidyalaya, Kurunegala, beat Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda, 08/06. The third place was won by Maliyadewa Balika Vidyalaya ‘B,’ Kurunegala.

In the U-14 final of ‘B’ division, the tournament champs were HFC, Kurunegala, who beat Ananda Balika Vidayala 09/05. The third place was won by Musaeus College, Colombo.

In U-16 final HFC, Kurunegala, beat D.S. Senanayaka, Ampara, 28/16. Third place was won by Lindsey Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo.

In the U-18 final of ‘B’ division, Lindsey Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo, beat Holy Family Convent, Colombo, 17/13. Ibbagamuwa Central College won the third place.

Pushpa Kalubovila, President, Sri Lanka Schools Netball Association (SLSNA) addressed the gathering at the event’s closing ceremony on Aug. 4. Athula Wijesingha, Chief Minister of North-Western Province, too was present at the closing ceremony. Bandula Egodage, External Affairs Activation Manager, ‘Nestle Lanka { Pvt.} Ltd.,’ L.K. Jayaweera, Director of Education, Herath Athapatthu, Ass. Director of Education, were the guests of honour who were also present at the closing ceremony.