Waikato Rugby League


Waikato Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of rugby league in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The WRL are represented by the Waikato rugby league team. They are currently part of the Upper Central Zone along with Coastline Rugby League and Bay of Plenty Rugby League.
Senior games are played across several venues; Hamilton - Resthills Park, Raahui Pookeka Huntly - Davies Park, and Albert Park - Te Awamutu.
Womens/Waahine games take place at Albert Park - Te Awamutu.
Junior Games take place at Ngaaruawahia High School, Resthills Park, and Hopuhopu Sports Grounds.

History

The league was constituted as the South Auckland Rugby League on 28 April 1921.

Current Teams

Premier Division clubs 2024

Championship Clubs for 2024

  • Taniwharau Rugby League - Davies Park
  • Coast Steelers - Taharoa Domain
  • Ngaruawahia Panthers - League Park
  • Hamilton City Tigers - Resthills Park
  • Hauraki Tigers
  • Hamilton Hornets - Resthills Park
  • Turangawaewae - Paterson Park
  • College Old Boys - Resthills Park
  • Whatawhata Wolves
  • Te Awamutu Firehawks - Albert Park
  • Whaingaroa Whai

Womens Premiership Clubs for 2024

  • Te Awamutu Firehawks - Albert Park
  • Coast Steelers - Taharoa Domain
  • Turangawaewae - Paterson Park
  • Hamilton City Tigers - Resthills Park

Womens Championship Clubs for 2024

Dormant clubs

  • Huntly South Chargers - Davies Park
  • Fairfield Falcons - Swarbrick Park
  • Morrinsville Bulls
  • Rangiriri Eels
  • Otorohanga Tigers - Island Reserve
  • Kio Kio Hunters - Kio Kio United Sports Ground
  • Frankton Albions - Swarbrick Park
  • Ngaruawahia Lions - Patterson Park
  • Jaradites Rugby League
  • Huntly United - Davies Park
  • Cambridge Raiders
  • Waipa Wildcats
  • Thames Wanderers
  • Ohinemuri Warriors
  • Whaingaroa Divers
  • Glen Afton
  • Chartwell Lions

Past winners Premier grades

Waikato club championship winners since 1986:
  • 1986-Huntly South def Taniwharau
  • 1987-Frankton Albions def Huntly South
  • 1988-Ngaruawahia Panthers def Hamilton City Tigers
  • 1989-Turangawaewae def Ngaruawahia Panthers
  • 1990-Turangawaewae def Ngaruawahia Panthers
  • 1991-Hamilton City Tigers def Ngaruawahia Panthers
  • 1992-Turangawaewae def Ngaruawahia Panthers
  • 1993-Hamilton City Tigers 50-10 Ngaruawahia Panthers
  • 1994-Turangawaewae 30-23 Hamilton City Tigers
  • 1995-Turangawaewae 20-15 Taniwharau
  • 1996-Turangawaewae 26-18 Taniwharau
  • 1997-Taniwharau def Turangawaewae
  • 1998-Turangawaewae 35-18 Hamilton City Tigers
  • 1999-Turangawaewae 32-22 Hukanui
  • 2000-Turangawaewae def Hamilton City Tigers
  • 2001-Hukanui def Turangawaewae
Between 2002 - 2007 Waikato aligned itself with Coastlines and the Bay of Plenty to create the Waicoa Bay Championship:
The Waikato club championship resumed in 2009
  • 2009-Taniwharau 16 - 2 Ngaruawahia Panthers
  • 2010-Hamilton City Tigers 19-12 Taniwharau
  • 2011- Ngaruawahia Panthers 24-4 Hamilton City Tigers
  • 2012- Hamilton City Tigers 34-4 Taniwharau
WaiCoa Bays Championship resumed in 2011:
  • 2011- Hamilton City Tigers 26-6 Taniwharau
  • 2012- Hamilton City Tigers 26-12 Ngaruwahia Panthers
Bay of Plenty Clubs break away from the competition, Leaving it as The "WaiCoa Championship"
  • 2013- Taniwharau 18-16 Hamilton City Tigers
  • 2014- Taniwharau 20-18 Otumoetai Eels
The Waikato club championship resumed in 2015:
  • 2015- Hamilton City Tigers 33 - 12 Taniwharau
WaiCoa Bays Championship resumed in 2016:
  • 2016- Hamilton City Tigers 24 - 19 Pacific
The Waikato club championship resumed in 2017:
  • 2017- Taniwharau 16 - 14 Hamilton City Tigers
  • 2018- Taniwharau 28 - 12 College Old Boys
  • 2019- Taniwharau 28 - 22 College Old Boys
  • 2020 -
  • 2021 -
  • 2022 -
  • 2023 -
  • 2024 - Premiers: [Taniwharau Rugby League">Taniwharau Rugby League">Taniwharau 24-18 Turangawaewae
  • 2008-Taniwharau 40-4 Otumoetai Eels
The Waikato club championship resumed in 2009
  • 2009-Taniwharau 16 - 2 Ngaruawahia Panthers
  • 2010-Hamilton City Tigers 19-12 Taniwharau
  • 2011- Ngaruawahia Panthers 24-4 Hamilton City Tigers
  • 2012- Hamilton City Tigers 34-4 Taniwharau
WaiCoa Bays Championship resumed in 2011:
  • 2011- Hamilton City Tigers 26-6 Taniwharau
  • 2012- Hamilton City Tigers 26-12 Ngaruwahia Panthers
Bay of Plenty Clubs break away from the competition, Leaving it as The "WaiCoa Championship"
  • 2013- Taniwharau 18-16 Hamilton City Tigers
  • 2014- Taniwharau 20-18 Otumoetai Eels
The Waikato club championship resumed in 2015:
  • 2015- Hamilton City Tigers 33 - 12 Taniwharau
WaiCoa Bays Championship resumed in 2016:
  • 2016- Hamilton City Tigers 24 - 19 Pacific
The Waikato club championship resumed in 2017:
  • 2017- Taniwharau 16 - 14 Hamilton City Tigers
  • 2018- Taniwharau 28 - 12 College Old Boys
  • 2019- Taniwharau 28 - 22 College Old Boys
  • 2020 -
  • 2021 -
  • 2022 -
  • 2023 -
  • 2024 - Premiers: [Taniwharau Rugby League 26 -12 Ngaruawahia Panthers
  • 2024 - Championship: Taniwharau Rugby League 18 -12 Hauraki Tigers

National competitions

The Waikato rugby league team has competed in New Zealand Rugby League competitions, notably the Lion Red Cup as The Waikato Cougars and Bartercard Premiership. They were represented in the Bartercard Cup by the Waicoa Bay Stallions a team that represented Waikato, Coastlines and Bay of Plenty.

Players of note

West Tigers u/20s 2014/2015 Penrith Panthers 2016