St Thomas’ College, Matale, and Presidents’ Girls College, Nawala, were crowned boys’ and girls’ champions at the much-anticipated All-Island Under 20 Hockey Tournament 2025, which was concluded at the Sri Lanka Hockey Federation Astro Turf, Colombo 07. The highly successful tournament was organised and conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association under the guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Education with the participation of each and every leading hockey-playing school on the island.
The hockey championship of the Western Province National School Games 2025 concluded last weekend at the Royal College Hockey Grounds. After some scintillating hockey action, St Joseph’s College, Maradana, and Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala, were crowned champions.
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Boy’s Championship
The champions, Matale Thomians, cruised to the semifinals with ease after outclassing Jaffna Central College 07 – 00 and Prince of Wales, Moratuwa, 11 – 00. In the semifinal they met a tough opponent in the circuit, Trinity College, but the Thomians overcame the challenge with a spirited performance to seal their spot in the finals.
The other finalist, Vidyartha College Kandy, started their campaign with a couple of thumping victories over St John’s College, Jaffna (06 – 00), and Uva College, Badulla (07 – 00). Then the Vidyartha Tigers faced the challenge from the champions of the recently concluded Western Province National School Games 2025 hockey tournament, St Joseph’s College. After a clinical display, the Hill Country Tigers claimed the victory with a 3 – 1 goal margin.
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The heat of the final was intensified as the two sides that featured in the finals of the Central Province National School Games 2025 hockey tournament met again for the prestigious all-island cup title. Their previous outing ended in a controversial manner after the players engaged in a brawl during the game that was played at the University of Peradeniya Grounds.
A top-class rivalry was displayed between the teams at the high-stake final, and eventually the game turned into a high-scoring affair. At the end of the day, hard work, dedication and unwavering performance paved the way for the hockey team of St Thomas’ College, Matale, to be crowned as the much-celebrated Champions at the All Island U20 Hockey Championship 2025.
Girl’s Championship
The consistent and remarkable performances, coupled with the excellent teamwork through the span of the tournament, placed President’s Girls College, Nawala, and Holy Family Convent, Wennapuwa, in the finals. They managed to beat Southland College, Galle, and Musaeus College, Colombo, at the semifinals.
In an intense and hard-fought final battle, the girls from Nawala emerged triumphant over their rivals, securing the coveted all-island hockey championship 2025. Their clinical performance, made even more exhilarating by the valiant charge of the opposition, resulted in a final score of 2 – 1 in favour of the president’s girls, adding yet another trophy to the team’s cabinet and fuelling the hockey spirit of the college. With this remarkable achievement, the President’s lasses completed their revenge for their defeat against Holy Family Convent, Wennapuwa, at the recently concluded ESU Blue & Gold Hockey 7s tournament.
For the outstanding performance including netting a few crucial goals, S. M. L. Senaya Dedunu of President’s Girls College, Nawala and P. G. Nethmina Sandaruwan Dharmakeerthi of St. Thomas’ College, Matale emerged as the players of the tournament.
Boy’s Segment Results Summary
Semi Finals 1: St Joseph’s College, Maradana vs Vidyartha College, Kandy
1 : 3 Full Time Vidyartha College, Kandy – Won
Semi Finals 2: St Thomas’ College, Matale vs Trinity College, Kandy
2 : 0 Full Time St Thomas’ College, Matale – Won
3rd Place: Trinity College, Kandy vs St Joseph’s College, Maradana
2 : 0 Full Time Trinity College, Kandy – Won
Finals : St Thomas’ College – Matale vs Vidyartha College – Kandy
5 : 2 Full Time St Thomas’ College – Matale Won
Girl’s Segment Results Summary
Semi Finals 1: Holy Family Convent, Wennapuwa vs Musaeus College, Colombo
1 : 0 Full Time Holy Family Convent, Wennapuwa Won
Semi Finals 2: President’s Girls College, Nawala vs Southland College, Galle
2 : 0 Full Time President’s Girls College, Nawala Won
3rd Place : Musaeus College, Colombo vs Southland College, Galle
1 : 0 Full Time Musaeus College, Colombo Won
Finals : Holy Family Convent, Wennapuwa vs President’s Girls College, Nawala
2 : 1 Full Time President’s Girls College, Nawala Won
Boy’s Champions – St Thomas’ College, Matale
Boy’s 1st runners-up – Vidyartha College, Kandy
Boy’s 2nd runners-up – Trinity College, Kandy
Girl’s Champions – President’s Girls College, Nawala
Girl’s 1st runners-up – Holy Family Convent, Wennapuwa
Girl’s 2nd runners-up – Musaeus College, Colombo
