Colombo BRC Touch Rugby Club delivered an impressive performance at the Goa Sevens held on 15–16 November in Bambolim, Goa with its two teams ‘Colombo Open’ and ‘Colombo Legends’ securing second (runners up) and fourth place respectively in the fiercely contested Mixed Touch Rugby category. Featuring 10 mixed teams and 15 men and women contact teams from across India, Bambolim Athletic Stadium brought together a display of strong rugby talent while the Colombo teams outplayed expectations earning the respect of players and spectators.
What makes this achievement outstanding is that BRC Colombo is only 8 months old and took on some stiff competition from the likes of the Crocs RFC, Delhi Hurricanes, Magician Foundation and the Kerala Wolfpack to then enter the knockout stage.
Conceptualized by a simple idea to introduce mixed FIT to Sri Lanka as a social game and to encourage more women to participate in sport, the club contains players of diverse age groups from a wide range of sporting backgrounds, rugby veterans and several individuals who had never played FIT-format rugby before. Developing quickly into a social and competitive unit, their performance in Goa was a reflection of athletic skill and the club’s commitment to inclusivity, and teamwork despite life commitments and busy work schedules.
Since inception, BRC Colombo hosted two tournaments in Sri Lanka with participation at the ‘Goa Rugby Sevens’ being its debut international tournament and a milestone for the club. Although narrowly missing the championship, finishing second and fourth is testament to the team’s competitiveness and potential for future international success while being a significant step forward to building momentum, attracting new players, and growing FIT in the country. Colombo BRC’s bold entry into FIT and the club’s journey is an example of what local talent and individuals who are unfamiliar with the sport can achieve, when given an opportunity and the stage to perform. Representing more than just medals, BRC looks forward to growing the FIT Touch landscape and encouraging more women to join the world of sport.
As its official clothing sponsor ‘Gordone’ played a key role in supporting Colombo BRC’s journey for which the team extends its deep appreciation.
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