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List of Australian club rugby union competitions

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See also: List of Australian rugby union teams

In Australia, what is considered the third tier of Rugby is often referred to as club rugby, grade rugby or premier rugby. Club Rugby often focuses on the major metropolitan areas of the respective unions, with teams representing various districts and suburbs. The teams represented in the first grade can and have changed over time, and are open to change at the discretion of the governing body.

Sydney Premiership

[edit]
Main article: Shute Shield

The Shute Shield is a rugby union competition in Sydney, New South Wales. It is the premier grade rugby trophy in Sydney rugby. The shield is contested by 11 Sydney Rugby Union clubs and one from Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union.[1]

The first Sydney club competition was held in 1874, contested by Balmain, Newington College, University of Sydney and The King's School, Parramatta. The Shute Shield is seen as the traditional successor to this competition.

The shield was donated to the New South Wales Rugby Union in 1923 by Sydney University Football Club, and was named in honour of Robert Elliott Stewart Shute who died while playing for The Rest v NSW XV on 5 June 1922.[2]

Current clubs
Club Colour Jersey Nickname Region Est. Premierships Most
recent 		Note(s)
Eastern Suburbs Beasties Rose Bay (Eastern Suburbs) 1900 9 1969; 55 years ago (1969) [a]
Eastwood Woodies Marsfield (Hills District) 1947 6 2015; 9 years ago (2015) [b]
Gordon Highlanders, Stags Chatswood (Northern Suburbs) 1936 9 2020; 4 years ago (2020) [c]
Manly Marlins Manly (Northern Beaches) 1906 7 1997; 27 years ago (1997) [d]
Northern Suburbs Shoremen, Norths North Sydney (Northern Suburbs) 1900 7 2016; 8 years ago (2016) [e]
Western Sydney Two Blues Two Blues Merrylands (Parramatta) 1934 3 1986; 38 years ago (1986) [f]
Randwick Galloping Greens, The Wicks Coogee (Eastern Suburbs) 1914 29 2023; 1 year ago (2023) [g]
Southern Districts Rebels, Souths Sylvania Waters (Sutherland Shire) 1989 0 [h]
Sydney University Students Camperdown (Inner West) 1900 33 2022; 2 years ago (2022) [i]
Warringah Rats Warriewood (Northern Beaches) 1963 1 2017; 7 years ago (2017) [j]
West Harbour Pirates Concord (Inner West) 1900 2 1929; 95 years ago (1929) [k]
Hunter Wildfires Newcastle (Hunter Region) Location is outside the Sydney-Metro and outer-region area. 1995 0 [l]

Queensland Premier Rugby

[edit]
Main article: Queensland Premier Rugby

Queensland Premier Rugby is the top club competition in Queensland. Nine clubs take part: eight from Brisbane and a club each from the Gold Coast.[3]

The first club rugby competition in Queensland was the Hospital Football Challenge, which began in 1899. It was an annual fund-raising venture for the Brisbane Hospital, but the game fell away during and after WWI, and rugby union was abandoned in Queensland after 1919.

The competition was restored in 1929 and the original trophy, the magnificent Hospital Cup became the premiership trophy again. It is now awarded to the winner of the Premier Rugby grand final.[4]

Teams in Queensland Premier Rugby
Est. Club Location Home Ground Nickname Admitted to Premier Grade Premierships (most recent)
1996 [5] . Bond University Gold Coast (Varsity Lakes) Bond University Field Breakers 1997
1905 [6] . Brothers North-East Suburbs (Albion) Jack Ross Oval Butcher Bhoys, The Brethren, The Filth 1905 29 (2023)
1947 [7] . Eastern Districts Eastern Suburbs (Coorparoo) David Wilson Field Tigers, Easts 1950 5 (2020)
1887 [8] . GPS Old Boys Inner West (Ashgrove) Ashgrove Sports Ground Jeeps 1931 6 (2018)
1931 [9] . North Brisbane North Brisbane (Wooloowin) Hugh Courtney Oval Eagles, Norths 1991 (1933 — Eagle Jctn, 1961 — Teachers, 1974 — Teachers-Norths) 2 (1976)
1911 [10] . University of Queensland Inner West (St Lucia) University Field 5A Red Heavies 1912 33 (2021)
1948 [11] . Southern Districts Southern Brisbane (Annerley) R.A. "Chipsy" Wood Oval Magpies, Souths 1948 10 (2015)
1969 [12] . Sunnybank Sunnybank and Logan Oldmac Oval, Macgregor Dragons 1989 3 (2011)
1951 [13] . West Brisbane Inner West (Toowong) Sedgman Oval Bulldogs, Wests 1955 4 (2022)

ACTRU Premier Division

[edit]
Main article: ACTRU Premier Division

The ACTRU Premier Division is the top rugby club competition in Canberra. It is conducted by the region's governing body, the ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union.[14]

The competition was first held in 1938. There are currently, six ACT clubs that compete in the top division. The trophy awarded to the winner of the grand final is the John I Dent Cup, named after the benefactor who donated it to the union. All of the finals are played at Viking Park.

Teams that compete for the John I Dent Cup
Est. Club Location Home Ground Nickname Admitted to Premier Grade Premierships (most recent)
1949 [15] . Canberra Royals Woden Valley Phillip Oval Blue Baggers 1949 21 (2020)
1967 [16] . Gungahlin Eagles Gungahlin Nicholls Oval Eagles 1967 4 (2023) (2 as Daramalan RUFC)
1965 . Penrith Emus Rugby Penrith Nepean Rugby Park The Emus 2022
1954 [17] . Queanbeyan Whites Queanbeyan Campese Field Whites 1955 8 (2022)
1973 [18] . Tuggeranong Vikings Tuggeranong Viking Park Vikings 1973 14 (2018)
1988 [19] . Uni-Norths Owls North Canberra ANU North Oval Owls 1988 (1938 – University, Norths) 8 (1992) (7 as Northern Suburbs)
1962 [20] . Wests Lions Belconnen Jamison Oval Lions 1962 13 (2005)

RugbyWA Premier Grade

[edit]
See also: RugbyWA and RugbyWA Fortescue Premier Grade

The RugbyWA Premier Grade is contested by 14 teams from the Greater Perth Area.[21]

The teams currently in the RugbyWA Premier Grade are:

RugbyWA Premier Grade
Est. Club Location Home Ground Premierships (most recent)
1975 ARKs Harrisdale Rugby Club Harrisdale Harrissdale Community Oval N/A
1948 Associates Swanbourne Allen Park 9 (2018)
1893 Cottesloe Rugby Union Football Club Cottesloe Harvey Field 12 (2021)
1998 Joondalup Brothers Rugby Club Joondalup Arena Joondalup N/A
Unknown Kalamunda Forrestfield Hartfield Park 1 (2008)
1934 Nedlands Nedlands Charles Court Reserve 16 (2015)
1934 Palmyra Alfred Cove Tompkins Park 3 (2023)
1906 Perth Bayswater Morley Pat O'Hara Reserve 3 (2007) (1 as Perth-Suburbs)
1973 Rockingham Rockingham Lark Hill N/A
Unknown Southern Lions Success Success Oval N/A
1929 UWA Mount Claremont UWA Sports Park 5 (2014)
1981 Wanneroo Kingsway Kingsway Reserve N/A
1930 Wests Scarborough Rugby Union Football Club Doubleview Bennett Park 12 (2022) (5 as Western Suburbs and 2 as Wests-Scarborough)

Victorian Premier Division

[edit]
See also: Dewar Shield

The Dewar Shield is contested by 8 teams from the Greater Melbourne Area.[22]

Teams that compete for the Dewar Shield
Est. Colours Club Location Home Ground Nickname Admitted to Premier Grade Premierships (most recent)
1958 Box Hill Box Hill RHL Sparks Reserve Broncos 1966 3 (2001)
1979 Endeavour Hills Endeavour Hills Frog Hollow Reserve Eagles 2007
1928 Footscray Footscray Henry Turner Memorial Reserve Bulldogs 1928 3 (1937)
1928 Melbourne Harlequins Ashwood Ashwood Reserve Quins 1930 12 (2023)
1909 Melbourne Armadale Romanis Reserve, Orrong Park Unicorns 1929 14 (2019)
1909 Melbourne University Parkville Royal Park Students 1910 6 (1967)
1965 Moorabbin Moorabbin Keys Rd Reserve Rams 1965 15 (2012)
1933 Power House Albert Park Noel Clarke Field House, The Society 1936 12 (2024)

South Australian Premier Grade

[edit]
See also: Rugby Union South Australia

The Cooper Premier Grade is contested by 9 teams.[23]

Teams that compete for the Cooper Premier Grade
Club Nickname Home Ground Entered
competition 		Premierships (most recent)
University of Adelaide Blacks Waite Oval 1932
Brighton RUFC Tigers Brighton Oval 1950 13 (2022)
Burnside RUFC Burnside Parkinson Oval 1946 3 (2023)
Elizabeth Lizzies Womma Park 1958
Old Collegians RFC Old Colls Tregenza Oval 1936 4 (2016)
Onkaparinga RUFC Onkas Wilfred Taylor Reserve 1968 1 (2015)
Port Adelaide RUFC Pirates Riverside Oval 1933 1 (2002)
Southern Suburbs RUFC Bulls Bailey Reserve 1946 2 (2007)
Woodville RUFC Wasps Gleneagels Reserve 1933


As of 2018, there are fourteen clubs which make up RUSA, eleven of these clubs field senior men's sides, eight field senior women's sides and 11 field junior sides. There is also a golden oldies club for players 35+, and a rugby sevens club for women and girls (12+).

Tasmanian Division One

[edit]
See also: Tasmanian Rugby Union

As at the end of 2019, there are 13 clubs which make up the TRU. Teams currently in the Tasmanian Division One are:[24]

Club Colours Teams Nickname(s) Home Ground Entered Union
Burnie RUFC Blue & Red Men's Emus Upper Burnie Sports Ground 1961 (reformed 1997)
Devonport RUFC   Green with Black Men's, Women's, Junior's Bulls Don Oval 1964
Eastern Suburbs RUFC Maroon with White Men's, Women's, Juniors, Golden Oldies (35+) Roosters, Chicks North Warrane Oval 1964
Glenorchy RUFC Black Men's, Women's, Juniors Stags Eady Street Sports Ground 1935
Hobart Convicts RUFC Grey & Black Golden Oldies (35+) Convicts No set Ground ???
Hobart Harlequins RUFC Green, Blue, Red & Black Men's, Women's, Golden Oldies (35+) Quins, Queens Rugby Park 1933
Hobart Hutchins Lions RUFC Grey, Black, Yellow & Magenta Men's, Juniors (assoc. with The Hutchins School) Lions War Memorial Oval 1974
Launceston RUFC Black & Red Men's Tigers Royal Park 1999
North West RUFC   Purple with Black Women's Panthers Upper Burnie Sports Ground 2018
Tamar Valley RUFC   Orange & Teal Women's Vixens Royal Park 2017
Taroona RUFC Blue & White Mens, Women's, Juniors, Golden Oldies (35+) Penguins Rugby Park 1947
University of Tasmania RUFC   Red Men's, Women's Red Men, Red Women UTAS Rugby Ground 1933
Australian Maritime College RUFC
currently in recess 		  Light Blue with Royal Blue Trim Men's Vikings Royal Park 2012

Ten of these clubs field senior men's sides, eight field senior women's sides, and five field junior sides. There is also a "golden oldies" club for players aged 35+.

Darwin First Grade

[edit]
See also: Northern Territory Rugby Union

The First Grade competition is contested by 5 teams from the Darwin area.[25]

Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union Premiership

[edit]
Main article: NHRU

The Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union is based around the NSW city of Newcastle, located ~160 km north of Sydney.

The earliest report of a football match in Newcastle was in 1860, when 'a lover of the old English games has offered one of Mrs. O’Hagan’s most fashionable bonnets as a prize to the fortunate party who shall give the winning (final) kick in a game of foot-ball, to be played on the new cricket ground, near St. John's Church'. A precursor to the formation of a local union, the Raysmith Challenge Cup was commenced in 1887 and was contested by Newcastle, Waratah, Advance, Orientals, Union, Ferndale, West Maitland, Raymond Terrace, East Maitland Imperial, Singleton and East Maitland clubs.

In 1888 the Northern Branch of the NSW Rugby Football Union was established, later renamed the Newcastle Rugby Union. The competition was suspended during World War 1, reforming in 1925.  The 1925 competition comprised Cook's Hill Old Boys, Newcastle High School Old Boys, Great Public Schools' Old Boys (later Wanderers), Lysaght's Limited, Northern Suburbs and Mayfield. The NHRU currently sponsors Premier Rugby, Divisional Men’s, Social Men’s, Women’s, Juniors and Schools competitions. The 2019 Premier Rugby competition was contested by nine clubs across 3 men’s grades.

Premier Rugby Clubs in the NHRU (2019)

Club Location Home ground Nickname Founded (Seniors)
Hamilton City West Passmore Oval, Wickham Hawks 1968
Lake Macquarie North Lake Macquarie Walters Park, Speers Point Roos 1929 (as Boolaroo)
Maitland Lower Hunter Valley Marcellin Park, Lorn Blacks 1872 (as Albion Football Club)
Merewether Carlton City Beaches Townson Oval, Merewether Greens 1930 (as Cooks Hill Carlton 1887)
Nelson Bay Port Stephens Bill Strong Oval, Nelson Bay Gropers 1983
Singleton Upper Hunter Valley Rugby Park, Singleton Bulls 1967
Southern Beaches Lake Macquarie Beaches Ernie Calland Oval, Gateshead Beaches 1997
University University of Newcastle Bernie Curran Oval, University Of Newcastle Students 1955
Wanderers City East No 2 Sportsground, Cooks Hill Two Blues 1924 (as GPS Old Boys)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Shute Shield | News | Jersey | Game | Shute Shield". shuteshield.rugby.
  2. ^ "Tooheys New Shute Shield". New South Wales Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 8 April 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2009.
  3. ^ "Comp".
  4. ^ "The Hospital Cup". QRU. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  5. ^ "Gold Coast Breakers RUFC". Aussie Sports Info. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  6. ^ "History". Brothers Rugby Club. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  7. ^ "History". Easts Rugby Brisbane. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  8. ^ "A brief history of the Gallopers". GPS Rugby. Archived from the original on 29 April 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  9. ^ "Norths-QUT Club History". Archived from the original on 16 April 2003. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  10. ^ "History". UQRFC. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  11. ^ "History". Souths Rugby. Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  12. ^ "Sunnybank Dragons RUFC". Aussie Sports Info. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  13. ^ "History – Our Journey". Wests Bulldogs Rugby. Archived from the original on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  14. ^ "John I Dent".
  15. ^ "History". Canberra Royals RUFC. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  16. ^ "About Us". Gungahlin Eagles RUFC. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  17. ^ "Queanbeyan Whites RUFC". Aussie Sports Info. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  18. ^ "History". Tuggeranong Vikings Rugby Union. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  19. ^ "Uni-Norths Owls RUFC". Aussie Sports Info. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  20. ^ "Club History". Western District RUFC ACT. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  21. ^ "WA Premier Fixtures Results".
  22. ^ "Dewar Shield Fixtures Results".
  23. ^ "Premier Grade Fixtures Results".
  24. ^ "Seniors".
  25. ^ "Comp".

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Competed in the Sydney rugby premiership every season since 1900, apart from when relegated to the 2nd division in 1981 and 1984.
  2. ^ Promoted to the Sydney rugby premiership in 1947, and competed in the premiership every season since then, apart from when relegated to the 2nd division in 1981. Epping Subbies and Eastwood subbies combined to create Eastwood Rugby.
  3. ^ Not linked to the Gordon club that won the Sydney premiership in 1886. Competed in the Sydney rugby premiership every season since 1936, and never relegated to 2nd division.
  4. ^ Competed in the Sydney rugby premiership every season since 1906, and never relegated to 2nd division.
  5. ^ Originally formed as North Sydney. Competed in the Sydney rugby premiership every season since 1900, except for 1919 and when relegated to 2nd division from 1982–1989. Changed name to Northern Suburbs in 1928.
  6. ^ Originally formed in 1879 as Cumberland, then played as Parramatta, in the Sydney rugby premiership up until the end of the 1899 season. Re-joined Sydney premiership in 1934 and played every season since. Never relegated to 2nd division. Rebranded as the Western Sydney Two Blues for the 2020 season.
  7. ^ Originally formed in 1882 and played in the Sydney rugby premiership up to the end of the 1899 season, winning 4 premierships. Re-joined Sydney premiership in 1914, but did not play from 1919–22. Played every season since then and never relegated to 2nd division. Has won 28 premierships in post-1900 Sydney rugby premiership.
  8. ^ Formed from merger of St. George (founded 1906) and Port Hacking (founded 1957 as North Cronulla SLSC rugby club).
  9. ^ Originally formed in 1863 and played in the Sydney rugby premiership from its start in 1874, winning 9 premierships up until the end of the 1899 season. Competed in the Sydney rugby premiership every season since 1900, except for when relegated to 2nd division in 1979 and 1983. Has won 32 premierships in post-1900 Sydney rugby premiership.
  10. ^ Formed in 1963 and played in 2nd division from 1964–1970, then promoted to 1st division in 1971. Never relegated to 2nd division.
  11. ^ Originally formed as Western Suburbs. Competed in the Sydney rugby premiership every season from 1900 except for 1919, until relegated at the end of 1951. Played in the Sydney Sub-Districts competition (now the NSWSRU competition) from 1952–1961, then joined the 2nd division when it started in 1962. Played in 2nd division from 1962–65, then promoted to 1st division in 1966 and remained in the Sydney rugby premiership since, except for when relegated to 2nd division in 1980. Changed name to West Harbour in 1995.
  12. ^ Played in Sydney rugby premiership as 'Newcastle Wildfires' from 1995–1999. Re-admitted as Hunter Wildfires in 2020.
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