The North Harbour Rosmini College U16 XI visited Sri Lanka for an unforgettable cricket tour in early October
North Harbour Rosmini College U16 XI – Sri Lanka Cricket Tour 2026
Coaches: Cam Smith, Gareth Grayson and Ben Kelleher
After more than a year of fundraising and training, the North Harbour Rosmini College U16 XI visited Sri Lanka for an unforgettable cricket tour in early October.
The tour provided a fantastic opportunity for the Rosmini development players to experience cricket in a completely different environment, challenge themselves against Sri Lankan opposition and enjoy the culture and hospitality of a country where cricket is such an important part of everyday life. For many of the boys, this was their first cricket tour, making it a particularly special experience both on and off the field.
From a cricketing perspective, the tour was a massive learning experience. Playing in unfamiliar conditions, adapting to the heat and humidity quickly, and facing talented Sri Lankan opposition presented plenty of challenges. While the results on the field didn’t always go our way, the boys gained valuable experience and learned a great deal about their game, both individually and as a team. The local players provided really strong competition and it was fantastic to see the boys dig in, support one another and embrace the challenges throughout the tour. The lessons learned will undoubtedly help their development as cricketers moving forward.
Insight from Nathaniel McCann (Year 11)
Our Sri Lanka tour from 1st to 10th of October was an awesome experience and something I’ll remember for a long time. We started our Sri Lankan tour in Colombo arriving just after midnight. Colombo is a fast paced, crazy city with lots of noise, smells and phone shops.
The teams we played in Colombo were really strong, especially the batters. After two tough games in a very hot and humid Colombo we travelled to Hikkaduwa and Galle where we played against some local teams.
We were lucky enough to play all of our games on first class cricket grounds but a highlight was playing at the Galle Army Camp. The first game we played here was live streamed so our supporters back home could also watch.
Unfortunately both games we played here were rained off in the afternoon. It was still a really cool and different experience.
Outside of cricket, we got to experience some of the amazing things Sri Lanka has to offer. We visited a turtle sanctuary and went on a wildlife safari, where we were lucky enough to see elephants and many other birds and animals in the wild. We also visited an elephant orphanage and got to see some baby elephants during feeding time. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.
Overall, we all really enjoyed the tour. It was a great opportunity to play cricket against different teams, experience a new culture, see some amazing places, and spend time with the team. I’m really grateful that I got to be part of the tour and make some great memories along the way. A huge thank you to all the parents, coaches, organisers and supporters who helped make the tour possible.
