| Auckland Rugby League | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1909[1] |
| Responsibility | Auckland |
| Headquarters | Rugby League House, 17-19 Beasley Ave, Penrose, Auckland 1061[2] |
| Key people | Rebecca Russell (Chief Executive) |
| Competitions | Fox Memorial Premiership, Sharman Cup, Steele-Shanks Women's Premiership |
| Website | aucklandleague.co.nz |
As of 04 May 2024 | |
The 2024 season is the 116th season since the founding of the Auckland Rugby League in 1909.
In the Fox Memorial competition the top 6 teams qualified for the playoffs, with the top 4 from the Steel-Shanks Women's Premiership and Sharman Cup making their respective playoffs. Richmond Rovers won their first Fox Memorial Shield title in 44 years after last winning it in 1980. It was their 12th title in their 111-year history. Their 15–14 win over Papakura Sea Eagles came in extra time after the scores were locked at 14-14. Beau Cordtz broke the dead lock with a drop goal in the 10th minute of extra time. It was the 4th occasion that extra time had been played in a Fox Memorial grand final. Te Atatu made their first semi final for 14 years but lost to the Papakura Sea Eagles who were in their first final since 2016 when they won the championship. The Sharman Cup (2nd division) was won by the Northcote Tigers 22 to 12 over the Ponsonby Ponies on August 16.
The premier women's cometition was won by the Papakura women's side who came back to beat Richmond 18–16 in the grand final at Mt Smart. Otara Venom won the Women's Championship grade (2nd division) after beating Richmond 26–24.
In the reserve grade men's competitions Papakura beat Point Chevalier 24–0 in the Fox reserve grade final, while Hibiscus Coast beat Papatoetoe Panthers in the Sharman Cup equivalent. The Manukau Spartans won the Ray Cranch Cup (Senior B) competition beating Otara Scorpions 20–14 in the final, with Waitemata Seagulls taking out the Bowl competition 24–22 over Manurewa Marlins. In the Open Age Restricted competition the Waiheke Rams won after beating Mt Albert 'Mad Dogs' 22–20 in the final. In the Under 18 grades Papatoetoe won the men's competition with Mangere East winning the women's.
As in 2023 the men's senior season began with a 3-round qualifying competition where there were 4 pools of 4, with the top 3 teams from each qualifying for the Fox Memorial Premier competition. The 4 teams which failed to qualify were Ponsonby, Hibiscus Coast, Northcote, and Mangere East. Mangere East were the only team to have missed out from the previous season with the Otara Scorpions from the 2022 Sharman Cup competition moving up to gain a place in the top flight. The Fox Memorial Premiership, Steele-Shanks Women's Premiership, Sharman Cup and all other grades officially started on May the 4th with 12 teams in the Fox Memorial Premiership, 7 in the Women's Premiership, and 10 in the Sharman Cup. The Open Age Restricted competition which had disappeared for several season before reviving in 2023 with 3 teams grew in 2024 with 6 sides competing (Asian Dragons/Otahuhu, Te Atatu, Glenora, Howick, Waiheke, and Mt Albert). The women's competition featured the same number of teams from 2023 (7), however a championship competition formed which included 4 teams from Otara, Richmond, Manurewa, and Glenfield.
- ^ "100 year luncheon". Auckland Rugby League. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
- ^ "Administration Contacts". Auckland Rugby League. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2009.