Clubs confirmed for 2015 season

Swindale Shield 2005-2024 | 31 October 2014 | WRFU

Above: Marist St Pat's celebrate winning this year's first round Swindale Shield. The 12 Premier clubs will be joined in 2015 by Paremata-Plimmerton and Avalon.?

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The Wellington rugby clubs to participate in the new 2015 premier club rugby competition have been confirmed, with all lodged applications accepted by Wellington Rugby.

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The 2015 competition will see the return of all 12 teams who competed in last year’s Swindale Shield, with the addition of Avalon and Paremata-Plimmerton, the latter of which has not competed in Swindale Shield premier rugby since 1986.

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The revised format was crafted and supported by the majority of clubs and will mark the end of promotion-relegation matches. It gives all clubs the opportunity to enter the Swindale Shield each year, providing they are able to field premier, premier reserve and under-21 teams.

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Rugby Board chairman Peter Scott said this was an exciting step for Wellington club rugby, and one he hoped would strengthen clubs in the region.

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“In applying to enter the 2015 competition, clubs were required to assess all aspects of their operation both on and off the field. This proved to be an important exercise for them to go through in building a sustainable future, and a very positive outcome of the process as a whole.”

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Scott said the format would involve seven clubs each week travelling with their premier and premier reserve teams to seven other clubs in the Wellington region.

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Each of the 14 premier clubs will also field at least one age grade team in a very competitive colt’s rugby competition.

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“The idea of having three club teams playing in the same location on the same day really has the potential to be exciting for the culture of each community and club.”

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The premier season will commence with a gala day on Saturday March 21.