Sports Tour Overview

Sir Roger Manwood’s School recently embarked on a life-changing, 13-day multi-sports tour to Sri Lanka for male and female students playing cricket, hockey and netball.  Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world with each student offered a chance to put their skills to the test in very unique conditions against local opposition in the most wonderful settings.

Starting in Colombo, the group faced local schools in their opening hockey fixtures of the tour before heading to Kandy for the first cricket and netball fixtures of the tour.  Additionally, time allowed for a pit stop to the beautiful Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, with lunchtime views to die for.

The cricket proved a huge test and a great learning experience for the group. Sir Roger Manwood’s struggled in their first fixture against the experienced and talented Sri Lankans, but that didn’t dampen spirits as they managed to secure a win in their second fixture set at the beautiful Wickramabahu College.

Day 6 also saw one of the most exciting games of the tour as they took on Kandy High School. With the team down 18-10 at the end of the third quarter, they managed to make a spectacular come back to draw 19-19. A decision was then made to play 2 periods of extra time which resulted in a 22-21 loss for the girls. Another close game followed on day 7 with the girls winning 19-18 against Kandy Hillwood College.

Hikkaduwa was the next stop on the tour with some pit stops to the jaw-dropping Kandy Temple and Geragama Tea Plantation en route to sample a bit more of Sri Lankan culture and everything this stunning island has to offer.  The town played host to the final cricket and netball fixtures of the tour in picture-perfect settings.

Social Impact

On their last full day in Sri Lanka, the group took the opportunity to give back to the community by volunteering with FOG (Fountain of Goodness Foundation) to paint a local temple before a friendly softball match against local children from the charity.

Before heading back to Columbo ahead of their overnight flight to Dubai, the group had time to make a quick pitstop to a local Turtle Hatchery and got the opportunity to release baby turtles into the ocean; an experience that they will never ever forget.

The fun was not over yet and their whirlwind of experiences continued just 24 hours later when they found themselves in a totally different environment; Dubai. This brief 36-hour stopover was crammed with a visit to the water park, Dubai Mall and Fountains, Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque and an end of tour desert safari before returning back to the UK, having had a truly incredible time.

Sports Tour Highlights