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.
See 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.
| Club | class=unsortable | Colour | class=unsortable | Jersey | Nickname | Region | Premierships | Most recent | Note(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Suburbs | Beasties | Rose Bay (Eastern Suburbs) | 1900 | 9 | ||||||
| Eastwood | Woodies | Marsfield (Hills District) | 1947 | 6 | ||||||
| Gordon | Highlanders, Stags | Chatswood (Northern Suburbs) | 1936 | 9 | ||||||
| Manly | Marlins | Manly (Northern Beaches) | 1906 | 7 | ||||||
| Northern Suburbs | Shoremen, Norths | North Sydney (Northern Suburbs) | 1900 | 7 | ||||||
| Western Sydney Two Blues | Two Blues | Merrylands (Parramatta) | 1934 | 3 | ||||||
| Randwick | Galloping Greens, The Wicks | Coogee (Eastern Suburbs) | 1914 | 29 | ||||||
| Southern Districts | Rebels, Souths | Sylvania Waters (Sutherland Shire) | 1989 | 0 | ||||||
| Sydney University | Students | Camperdown (Inner West) | 1900 | 33 | ||||||
| Warringah | Rats | Warriewood (Northern Beaches) | 1963 | 1 | ||||||
| West Harbour | Pirates | Concord (Inner West) | 1900 | 2 | ||||||
| Hunter | Wildfires | Newcastle (Hunter Region) Location is outside the Sydney-Metro and outer-region area. | 1995 | 0 |
See 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.[2]
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.
| Est. | Club | Location | Home Ground | Nickname | Admitted to Premier Grade | Premierships (most recent) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=centre | 1996 | Bond University | Gold Coast (Varsity Lakes) | Bond University Field | Breakers | 1997 | ||
| align=centre | 1905 | Brothers | North-East Suburbs (Albion) | Jack Ross Oval | Butcher Bhoys, The Brethren, The Filth | 1905 | 29 (2023) | |
| align=centre | 1947 | Eastern Districts | Eastern Suburbs (Coorparoo) | David Wilson Field | Tigers, Easts | 1950 | 5 (2020) | |
| align=centre | 1887 | GPS Old Boys | Inner West (Ashgrove) | Ashgrove Sports Ground | Jeeps | 1931 | 6 (2018) | |
| align=centre | 1931 | North Brisbane | North Brisbane (Wooloowin) | Hugh Courtney Oval | Eagles, Norths | 1991 (1933 — Eagle Jctn, 1961 — Teachers, 1974 — Teachers-Norths) | 2 (1976) | |
| align=centre | 1911 | University of Queensland | Inner West (St Lucia) | University Field 5A | Red Heavies | 1912 | 33 (2021) | |
| align=centre | 1948 | Southern Districts | Southern Brisbane (Annerley) | R.A. "Chipsy" Wood Oval | Magpies, Souths | 1948 | 10 (2015) | |
| align=centre | 1969 | Sunnybank | Sunnybank and Logan | Oldmac Oval, Macgregor | Dragons | 1989 | 3 (2011) | |
| align=centre | 1951 | West Brisbane | Inner West (Toowong) | Sedgman Oval | Bulldogs, Wests | 1955 | 4 (2022) |
See 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.[3]
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.
| Est. | Club | Location | Home Ground | Nickname | Admitted to Premier Grade | Premierships (most recent) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=centre | 1949 | Canberra Royals | Woden Valley | Phillip Oval | Blue Baggers | 1949 | 21 (2020) | |
| align=centre | 1967 | Gungahlin Eagles | Gungahlin | Nicholls Oval | Eagles | 1967 | 4 (2023) (2 as Daramalan RUFC) | |
| align=centre | 1965 | Penrith Emus Rugby | Penrith | Nepean Rugby Park | The Emus | 2022 | ||
| align=centre | 1954 | Queanbeyan Whites | Queanbeyan | Campese Field | Whites | 1955 | 8 (2022) | |
| align=centre | 1973 | Tuggeranong Vikings | Tuggeranong | Viking Park | Vikings | 1973 | 14 (2018) | |
| align=centre | 1988 | Uni-Norths Owls | North Canberra | ANU North Oval | Owls | 1988 (1938 – University, Norths) | 8 (1992) (7 as Northern Suburbs) | |
| align=centre | 1962 | Wests Lions | Belconnen | Jamison Oval | Lions | 1962 | 13 (2005) |
See also: RugbyWA and RugbyWA Fortescue Premier Grade.
The RugbyWA Premier Grade is contested by 14 teams from the Greater Perth Area.[4]
The teams currently in the RugbyWA Premier Grade are:
| 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) |
See also: Dewar Shield.
The Dewar Shield is contested by 8 teams from the Greater Melbourne Area.[5]
| 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 | |||
| 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 | 10 (2008) |
See also: Rugby Union South Australia.
The Cooper Premier Grade is contested by 9 teams.[6]
| Club | Nickname | Home Ground | Entered competition | Premierships (most recent) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide University | 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+).
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:[7]
| 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 | |
| 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+.
See also: Northern Territory Rugby Union. The First Grade competition is contested by 5 teams from the Darwin area.[8]
See 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
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) |