| Auckland Rugby League | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1909 [1] |
| Responsibility | Auckland |
| Headquarters | 19 Beasley Ave, Penrose, Auckland 1061 [2] |
| Key people | Shane Price (Chair) Rebecca Russell (Chief Executive) |
| Competitions | Fox Memorial Premiership Steele Shanks Premiership Sharman Cup Reserves Premiership |
| Website | aucklandleague.co.nz |
As of 9 March 2022 | |
The Auckland Rugby League [3] (ARL) is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. Founded in 1909, the ARL has played a pivotal role in the development and promotion of rugby league in Auckland and beyond.
The origins of Auckland rugby league trace back to July 19, 1908 [4] when an official organisational body was formed at the Chamber of Commerce on Swanson Street, following dissatisfaction among players with the Auckland Rugby Union. The first clubs to form were North Shore Albions (July 23, 1909), Ponsonby United, City Rovers, and Newton Rangers. The inaugural organised club match took place on July 25, 1909, with North Shore Albions defeating City Rovers 44-24. [5]
In 1920, the ARL secured a long-term lease for land [6] , which was subsequently developed into Carlaw Park. The park officially opened on June 25, 1921 [6] , with a match between Auckland champions Maritime and City. Carlaw Park became a central venue for rugby league, hosting significant matches and events, including the 1924 and 1928 Lions tours. The park was known for its close proximity to the field, providing an immersive spectator experience.
In 1974, the ARL purchased Carlaw Park from the Auckland Hospital Board [7] , securing its future. The park continued to host major events until 2002, when it closed as a rugby league venue. The ARL has overseen various national competitions, including the Lion Red Cup (1994-1997), which saw notable successes by North Harbour and Counties-Manukau. The Bartercard Cup also featured Auckland teams, such as Mt Albert Lions and Auckland Lions, achieving significant successes.
A pivotal moment in ARL history was the inception of the Auckland Warriors (now New Zealand Warriors) in 1995. Initially owned by ARL, the club struggled but was sold to a consortium including Tainui in 1998. The Warriors have since become a prominent team in both New Zealand and international rugby league. The ARL continues to be a major force in developing rugby league talent and promoting the sport across the Auckland region.
The Auckland Rugby League was once recognised by England's Northern Rugby Football Union as New Zealand's governing body for the game of rugby league. [8]
In 2009, the ARL celebrated its centenary. [1]
The Fox Memorial Premiership is the premier rugby league competition in Auckland, New Zealand. Named in honour of Edward Vincent Fox [9] , a prominent figure in Auckland Rugby League, the competition represents the pinnacle of local rugby league talent and community engagement in the region. Established in 1910, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious rugby league competitions in New Zealand.
The Steele-Shanks Premiership is Auckland Rugby League’s Women’s Premiership competition. Named to honour Cherie Steele-Shanks, a pioneer in women’s rugby league. Unveiled at the Annual 2023 ARL Awards Dinner [10] , the cup recognises Cherie’s nearly five decades of contributions.
The Sharman Cup serves as a key part of the local rugby league structure, providing a platform for teams outside the premier division to compete at a high level. The Sharman Cup features a structured format with regular season matches followed by playoffs and a grand final.
| Fox Memorial Premiership | Pt Chevalier | Richmond | Howick | Ōtāhuhu | Te Atatū | Papakura | Marist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenora | Bay Roskill | Manukau | Mt Albert | Otara | |||
| Steele-Shanks Premiership | Ōtara Stingers | Richmond Roses | Papakura Women | Mt Abert Lionesses | Howick Women | Taniwharau Women | Pakuranga Women |
| Sharman Cup | Mangere East | Northcote | Hibiscus Coast | Ponsonby | Papatoetoe | Pakuranga | Manurewa |
| Glenfield | Pukekohe | Tuakau | |||||
| Womens Championship | Ōtara Scorpion Venom | Richmond | Mt Abert | Manurewa | Glenfield |
City Rovers and Newton Rangers merged in the early 1900s. City Newton Dragons later merged with Point Chevalier to become 'City-Pt Chevalier'. Later the two clubs separated, and then in 2004 City Newton folded, while Point Chevalier remained. Ponsonby United and Maritime merged to become Ponsonby-Maritime, they parted ways in 1983 and Ponsonby are still in existence. Navy merged with North Shore to become 'Navy/North Shore' however North Shore ceased to exist in 2009.
Other teams to cease as their own entities include:
The Fox Memorial Premiership, Steele-Shanks Premiership, and Sharman Cup competitions feature a structured format comprising a regular season, playoffs, and a grand final. Teams from various Auckland clubs participate, striving for the championship titles. These competitions are designed to ensure a high level of play and competitive balance, significantly contributing to the growth and development of rugby league in the Auckland region. The format encourages robust competition, enhances player development, and engages the community by providing exciting, high-stakes matches throughout the season.
For a list of the major trophies awarded in Auckland club rugby league go to Auckland Club Rugby League Trophies (this includes player awards as well as team awards).
Past decade winners:
| Fox Memorial | Steele-Shanks | Roope Rooster | Sharman Cup | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Mount Albert Lions | Howick Hornets | Mangere East Hawks | |
| 2013 | Point Chevalier Pirates | Mount Albert Lions | Richmond Bulldogs | |
| 2014 | Point Chevalier Pirates | Point Chevalier Pirates | Otara Scorpions | |
| 2015 | Pt Chevalier Pirates | Pt Chevalier Pirates | Richmond Bulldogs | |
| 2016 | Papakura Sea Eagles | Papakura Sea Eagles | Te Atatu Roosters | |
| 2017 | Glenora Bears | Point Chevalier Pirates & Glenora Bears | Otahuhu Leopards | |
| 2018 | Pt Chevalier Pirates | Pt Chevalier Pirates & Glenora Bears | Bay Roskill Vikings | |
| 2019 | Howick Hornets | Mount Albert Lions & Howick Hornets | Manukau Magpies | |
| 2020 | Not Awarded | Not Awarded | Not Awarded | |
| 2021 | Not Awarded | Point Chevalier Pirates | Not Awarded | |
| 2022 | Point Chevalier Pirates | Manurewa Marlins | Point Chevalier Pirates | Northcote Tigers |
| 2023 | Point Chevalier Pirates | Howick Hornets | Point Chevalier Pirates | Otara Scorpions |
When the Lion Red Cup was started in 1994 Auckland was originally represented by four teams. The Auckland City Vulcans, The Waitakere City Raiders, The Counties Manukau Heroes and the North Harbour Sea Eagles. In 1995 the Vulcans were replaced by the Auckland Warriors Colts. In 1996 Auckland City did not compete.
Previously Auckland had a large representation in the Bartercard Cup, in its final seasons before it ceased to run Auckland was represented by the Auckland Lions, Waitakere Rangers, Harbour League, Counties Manukau Jetz and the Tamaki Titans.
With the folding of the Bartercard Cup, Auckland rugby league team was awarded a place in the new six-team Bartercard Premiership, beginning in 2008. In 2009 the competition was mirrored by Under 18 and Under 16 grade competitions. The competition was replaced by the seven-team National Zonal Competition in 2010. Effectively Auckland club rugby league reverted to its regular form, with the zonal competition representing regional representative teams as in the past.
Auckland has played against several touring teams over the years though once the Auckland Warriors started playing in 1995 it diluted the standard of the side and they have not played against full international sides in recent years.
Auckland famously beat Australia, England and France in the space of 21 days in 1977. A feat which the New Zealand Warriors commemorated by wearing replica strips in their Round 24 clash with the Manly Sea Eagles on 26 August 2007, when the Warriors won 36–14 in front of a packed Mount Smart Stadium.
Auckland also beat the touring Australian side in 1989 by 26 points to 24 at Carlaw Park.
Auckland represented New Zealand for most years in the Australian midweek competition (see Amco Cup) in the 1970s and 1980s. Central Districts, Canterbury, Wellington, and South Island also fielded teams .
Auckland representative sides traditionally wear a blue jersey with a white double 'V', in the same style of the New Zealand national rugby league team jersey but with blue instead of black, this is still the jersey worn by the Auckland Vulcans NSW Cup team (see below).
The Auckland Lions were a rugby league club that had teams in both the New Zealand Bartercard Cup and the NSWRL Premier League. They were mostly drawn from the Mt Albert Lions Rugby League club. Mt Albert had a proud tradition in Auckland and had previously won two Bartercard Cup competitions as a stand-alone club.
The Counties Manukau rugby league team represents the Counties Manukau zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. Previously, teams representing Southern Auckland and the Franklin district of New Zealand have competed in the Lion Red Cup and Bartercard Cup. They are nicknamed the Stingrays.
The Te Atatu Roosters is a rugby league club based in Te Atatū, New Zealand. They participate in the Auckland Rugby League competition. They currently have 25 teams across schoolboy, junior and senior grades. The Roosters premier team is in the 2024 season Fox Memorial Shield competition after qualifying from the 3 match qualifying competition.
Antonio (Tony) Emil Tuimavave is a Samoan former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, who was the head coach of the Ponsonby Ponies from 2010, primarily as a prop also as a lock. He was nicknamed The Chief because he is a chief back in his native Samoa.
The Auckland rugby league team is the team which traditionally represents all of the clubs which play in the Auckland Rugby League competition. As well as a senior men's team there are also Auckland representative teams throughout the various age groups such as under 15s, under 17s, under 19s and under 21s.
The Auckland Rugby League competition has been competed for since 1909 when the first organised match was played between North Shore and City Rovers. The following year an official champion was crowned for the first time, namely the City Rovers club who won the 1910 1st Grade title and were one of the 4 original teams at that time. Over the following 110 years many team and individual trophies have been awarded. The following is a list of the clubs and individuals that they have been awarded to at the premier-grade level.
The 2009 New Zealand rugby league season was the 102nd season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the second season of the Bartercard Premiership competition that was run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The Canterbury Bulls won the minor premiership and then the premiership by defeating Auckland 26–20 in the Grand Final.
The New Zealand rugby league season 2010 was the 103rd season of rugby league that was played in New Zealand. The main feature of the year was the new National Zonal competition run by the New Zealand Rugby League. The premier teams competed for the Albert Baskerville Trophy, which was won by Auckland when they defeated Counties Manukau 14 - 6 in the Grand Final.
Willie Wolfgramm is a former professional rugby league and rugby union player who represented Tonga at two Rugby League World Cups and the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens.
The 1909 New Zealand rugby league season was the second season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1911 New Zealand rugby league season was the fourth season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1912 New Zealand rugby league season was the fifth season of rugby league that had been played in New Zealand.
The 1914 season was the sixth season of Auckland Rugby League since its formation in 1909. It followed the 1913 Auckland Rugby League season where North Shore Albions were crowned senior champions for the first time. The senior grade saw the addition of Otahuhu Rovers, who had previously competed in the lower grades only, and Grafton Athletic. The Manukau Rovers and Eden Ramblers no longer contributed teams. The first grade was won once again by North Shore Albions.
The 1936 Auckland Rugby League season was its 28th. The Fox Memorial was won by Manukau in their first season back in the senior A grade as a stand-alone club since the early 1910s. They also won the Roope Rooster competition when they defeated City Rovers 23 to 10 in the final. Richmond Rovers finished runners up in the Fox Memorial and earned the right to play Manukau for the Stormont Shield. Richmond won the trophy after beating Manukau 30–9 in the Stormont Shield clash. Richmond also won the Phelan Shield after they had been knocked out of the Roope Rooster in the first round. They beat Marist Old Boys 13–9 in the final.
The 1938 Auckland Rugby League season was its 30th. Marist Old Boys won their 3rd first grade title with their previous coming in 1924 and 1931.
The 1939 Auckland Rugby League season was its 31st.
North Shore Albions won the Fox Memorial Shield for the 6th time since their formation in 1909. Their previous titles were in 1913, 1914, 1928, 1932, and 1933. This was to be their last first grade championship title. They finished with a 13 win, 1 draw, 2 loss record for 27 competition points, just one competition point ahead of Manukau. Both teams were well out in front in the title race with Richmond Rovers in 3rd, 8 points behind Manukau.
The 2022 Auckland Rugby League season is its 114th season since the founding of the Auckland Rugby League in 1909. Point Chevalier Pirates won the Fox Memorial Shield for the 6th time with a 14–12 win over the Glenora Bears.
The 1942 Auckland Rugby League season was its 34th. The season was extremely hampered by World War II with so many men away at war. The Auckland Rugby League reduced the number of teams in the senior grade from 9 to 6, and there were few reserve grade matches and no senior B competition what so ever. Many clubs were forced to focus on their junior teams and schoolboy sides.
The 1943 Auckland Rugby League season was its 35th. The season was affected once more by World War II with many men away at war. The Auckland Rugby League decided however that there were enough players at the respective senior clubs to have a 9 team competition with no need for any merged sides. This was made easier by the fact that there was no reserve grade competition.
| Federations | |
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| Representative teams | |
| New Zealand Kiwis | |
| Zones | |
| Districts |
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| Australian competition teams |
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| Competitions |
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| New Zealand domestic seasons | |
