TRYmates TRIUMPH

LIFT CHRISTMAS TOUCH RUGBY TROPHY, WINNERS OF CHAMPIONS TROPHY

TRYmates team and officials celebrate after lifting the Christmas Touch Rugby trophy and the Champions Trophy in the rugby tournament played at Duler ground on Friday.

MAPUSA: In a fun filled day TRYmates emerged on top to lift the Christmas Touch Rugby trophy and the Champions Trophy dominating in 6 categories followed by CrocoTRYles (South Goa), who were close on heels with 4 wins followed by Saints with 2 wins in the U-17 boys and U-17 girls category in the rugby tournament played at Duler ground on Friday.

TRYmates began with a bang dominating the morning session with Our Lady of Rosary High School, Dona Paula defeating St Theresa’s High School, St Estevam of the Saints club 1-0 in the U-10 Girls category.

Christmas Touch, tournament is governed by the GTL (Goa Touch League), where each club fielded school players in the U-10, U-13, U-17 and Seniors (Girls, Women, Boys, Men & Mixed) categories.

The schools represented their clubs and battled to come up on top amongst a total of 4 Club franchises,   Crazy Pirates (North Goa), CrocoTRYles (South Goa), Saints (East Goa) and TRYmates (West Goa).

Before the tournament all four teams, bristled and glistened like a box of Christmas crackers on a bright sunny afternoon. With little wind and a fantastic pitch all teams played their hearts out to an entertaining brand of rugby. TRYmates owners Nauman Shaikh and Tej Shirodkar were visibly pleased with the turn of events with the U-10 girls managing to put a smile on the young club owners early on in the day.

“We worked hard as a team and it has paid off with Our Lady of Rosary High School U-10 girls winning the finals. We expected the U-10 girls to do well and they have achieved that. Overall we have progressed as per our expectations,” said Tej.

“We never underestimated any teams in this tournament. We have always treated them as high competition. Everyone is a star today and we have treated all equally,” addded Tej with all humility. 

“Most of our players are really fit. We have been taking care of their diet and have been training hard for this day,” said Nauman, TRYmates co-owner.   

Ayman Shaikh, TRYmates Manager led his side in his usual enthusiastic manner and was reminiscent of the recent Halloween Touch.

“I was amazed to see the U-10 Girls play with literally 6 players and no substitutions. All our efforts in training these kids have paid off. They really worked hard and deserved the win,” said Ayman in the post match meet.

“This is their first year and they have played absolutely well. We are loving the way these girls are playing and we are hopfull that everything will go well for them in the future,” added Ayman.

TRYmates manages rugby development in Bambolim, Panjim, Miramar, Caranzalem, Taleigao, St Cruz, Merces, Porvorim, etc. The club has educated over 6,000 enthusiasts from villages to schools to seniors. The club conducts over 4 Camps a day across their zone

CrocoTRYles, the current Goa schools Touch League Champions in the Juniors category made a mark in the U-17 Girls category with Our lady of Desterro High School, Vasco defeating St. Josephs High School, Arpora, who represented Crazy Pirates club with a 1-0 win.

Anita nishad, proved her salt playing well throughout the game. She put a great shift in for her team.

The scene was set for plenty of running rugby. Anita scored to cap an ‘intelligent’ performance. In fact she could have worn a Christmas paper hat and not got it damaged during the game, the swift feeted girl was a constant threat to the opponent. Desterro High School was all in the thick of the action with Anita particularly troublesome in the close quarter skirmishes.

Our lady of Desterro High School and St. Josephs High School, Arpora had an eventful afternoon in both attack and defence, with vigorous tackling being the highlight of their game.

Attacking running rugby was the order of the day. However, the spectators were treated to an eventful fun filled afternoon of entertainment. With talented players playing, there was a competitive element similar to watching siblings squabble over the little plastic toy that so eloquently adorn our Christmas tree.

Anthony Fernandes, PE teacher of Our lady of Desterro High School commented “It was fantastic to see some of the younger girls step into the senior environment and also see some familiar faces return to the pitch. We’ve pencilled in this event for next year’s tournament”.

 “We had a whip round and thanks to all who contributed," added Anthony.

Marina High School, Verna who represented CrocoTRYles Club bagged 3 trophies to emerge with the highest numbers of trophies taken by any school on the tournament day.

Touch rugby is derived from rugby football in which players do not tackle each other in the traditional, highly violent way, players touch their opponents using their hands on any part of the body, clothing, or the ball.

Saints owner, Aaron D’mello was extremely pleased with his clubs performance. “ The teams have displayed skill and tact. I am happy the way these young kids have played,”

The Saints club manages rugby development in Old Goa, Ribandar, Divar, St Estevam, Ponda, Sanquelim etc under the guidance of manager Alec Gomes and Ms Shevani Gaude.

Saints Club has educated over 9,000 enthusiasts from villages to schools to seniors, this club conducts over 4 Camps a day across their Zone. This club has the rare distinction of creating 225 top professional players for the Goa squad.

Goa Rugby is an Association backed by Sports Authority of Goa, Goa Olympics Association, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Touch Rugby Federation of India, Federation of International Touch, Bishop Gore Rugby and Middle East Touch.

The GoaAmche Project by Goa Rugby & Goa Touch is powered by hospitality partners BanquetSPORTS, merchandise partners QRAB, Education partners Goa Psychology Association. Television partners RDX Goa and media partners Goa Network7.