Holy Family Convent (HFC) Kurunegala and Maliyadeva Balika returned to winning ways and qualified for the under-16 and 18 semi finals of the All Island Schools Netball Championships played at Maliyadeva Boys School ground Kurunegala yesterday.
At the under 18 quarter finals HFC beat Musaeus in the first quarter final while Kalutara Balika beat Dharmasoka. Maliyadeva Balika beat Girls High School Kandy and Devi Balika beat Ranwala Mahanaga MV.
Meanwhile in the under 16 quarter finals Maliyadeva Balika beat Kalutara Balika, Mahamaya beat Devananda Amabalangoda, Holy Family Convent (HFC) Kalutara beat Hillwood and HFC Kurunegala beat Matale Sujatha BMV to enter the semi finals.
The trainer of the HFC Ananda Wannithilleka said his players have raised their morale and are united in their approach to the challenges in high spirits.
“All teams from the provinces have improved vastly over the two-year period that we did not have these games due to the Covid 19 pandemic,” said Wannithilleka who was the former National volleyball captain and a renowned coach.
Shiromi Kuruppu the Secretary of the Schools Netball Association who is the senior Technical Official and playground coordinator said 81 teams from under 16,18 and 20 are taking part in this tournament.
The finals of each age group will be played today from 9 am onwards.
Education Ministry and the Waymba Education Department and the Schools Netball Association have jointly organised this tournament.