The Auckland Rugby Union (ARU) is thrilled to announce the confirmed structure for the 2025 Premier Competitions, promising an exhilarating new chapter for club rugby.

With an overwhelming majority (17-1) voting in favour, the new three-division premiership system aims to enhance competitiveness and provide a clear pathway for clubs striving for excellence.

A New Structure for Competitive Excellence

The approved structure, known as Structure One, features a three-division premiership. Division 1 and Division 2 will each consist of 10 teams, while Division 3 will include 16 teams.

This configuration received 17 votes in favour of all clubs, indicating the rugby community's preference for a robust and competitive format.

The competition will involve a full round-robin format, ensuring that every team faces each other at least once. An innovative top-six finals format will maximise excitement and engagement for players and fans alike.

Additionally, a knock-out series involving all 36 teams will be integrated into the season, further elevating the stakes and intensity of the competition.

Fans will be excited to see the new Auckland Club Rugby Format, which should see more numbers in attendance.

Promotion and Relegation: A Dynamic Approach

A key feature of the new structure is the dynamic promotion and relegation system, designed to maintain a high level of competitiveness across all divisions.

Up to two teams can be promoted or relegated each year, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria.

The top-finishing (1^st Place) clubs in Division 2 and 3 will receive automatic promotion into Division 1 or 2, while the last-placed teams will be automatically relegated.

The second-placed teams (Division 2 and 3) will compete in a promotion/relegation playoff against the second-to-last team from Division 1 or 2.

Third-placed teams (Premiership 2 and Premiership 3 only): If the top two do not meet the Criteria, they might get a wildcard chance to play against the 10th-place team in the higher division.

Clear Criteria for Promotion Eligibility

Clubs must meet certain criteria to be eligible for promotion. These criteria focus on representation and on-field sustainability.

For Division 1 specifically, Clubs must not already be represented, and they must field a Premier 1 team, a Premier 2 team, and one additional team from either the U19/U21 or U85kg categories.

These requirements aim to encourage positive recruitment and retention behaviours and support player and coach development pathways.
 

An example of the competitions and how promotion/relegation will work.

Initial Team Allocations for 2025

The initial allocations for the 2025 season were determined based on a combination of performance metrics and player depth.

Performance metrics, accounting for 70% of the allocation score, reflect the clubs' average placings from 2019 to 2024.

Player depth, contributing 30% to the score, considers the number of teams entered across various grades in the current season.

This comprehensive evaluation ensures clubs are placed in divisions that reflect their current form and capabilities.

A competition within a competition

A knockout tournament, the Auckland Rugby Cup (AR Cup), is set to be integrated during the season. Teams from all divisions will battle it out throughout the season, allowing teams to test each other from other grades.

Strategic Marketing and Rollout Plan

Auckland Rugby has devised a strategic marketing plan to roll out the new competitions in three phases:

1. Phase 1: Announce New Competition (July - September)
   • Objective: Announce the new competitions and generate excitement.
   • Approach: Utilize Auckland Rugby assets to communicate changes, provide clubs with promotional materials, and engage key influencers within clubs and the wider rugby community.
2. Phase 2: Insights, Naming Convention, and Brand Development
   • Objective: Collect customer insights to refine brand architecture and value propositions.
   • Approach: Collaborate with agencies to understand customer preferences and develop strategic brand propositions.
3. Phase 3: Promote Competitions, Recruitment, and Engagement
   • Objective: Build brand awareness and support club registrations.
   • Approach: Launch the 2025 competitions with new promotional assets, set expectations with clubs, and drive ongoing engagement.

Timeline for Implementation

The rollout process spans from July 2024 to August 2025 and is divided into three key phases to ensure a smooth transition and effective communication with all stakeholders.

The timeline includes confirming the model, announcing the new structure, collecting insights, developing the brand, promoting the competitions, and supporting recruitment and engagement efforts.

The new change is expected to see more hearty fans such as this.

Final Words

Auckland Rugby is committed to innovating and growing the community game, elevating the standard of club rugby and providing an exciting, competitive environment for all participants.

With the new three-division premiership structure, dynamic promotion and relegation system, and strategic marketing plan, the 2025 Premier Competitions are set to be a landmark season for Auckland rugby.

Stay tuned for more updates and information by visiting the Auckland Rugby Union website and following our official social media channels. Join us as we embark on this thrilling new journey in Auckland club rugby!

If media would like to interview someone about this please contact Auckland Rugby Media Manager Aaron Ryan at aaron.ryan@aucklandrugby.co.nz | +64210373232
 

Q&A Style PR Copy for Senior Competitions 2025+

What is the confirmed premier structure for the 2025+?

The new structure will have three divisions: Division 1 and Division 2, each with 10 teams, and Division 3, with 16 teams.

How will promotion and relegation work?

Up to two teams can be promoted or relegated each year based on their performance and eligibility.

What are the criteria for promotion?

Clubs must not already be in Division 1 and must have teams in Premier 1, Premier 2, and either the U19/U21 or U85kg categories.

How were the initial 2025 allocations decided?

Allocations were based on performance metrics (70%) and player depth (30%) from 2019 to 2024.

What trophies will each division play for?

It is confirmed that Division 1 will play for the Gallaher Shield. Auckland Rugby, in consultation with the Council of Delegates, are currently working through what trophies Division 2 and Division 3 will play for. These will be confirmed by the end of 2024.

What is the marketing and rollout plan?

The rollout will happen in three phases: announcing the competition, gathering insights and developing the brand, and promoting all competitions to support recruitment.

What is the timeline for the rollout?

The rollout will occur from July 2024 to August 2025 in three phases to ensure smooth implementation and communication.

How will the new club competition be promoted?

This is an exciting opportunity to refresh the club competition and highlight it as one of the best in the country. Auckland Rugby, in consultation with the Council of Delegates, is working on naming conventions for each division and promotional strategies for the new structure throughout the year.

Will there be more games with the introduction of the AR Cup?

The introduction of the AR Cup will be a standalone competition. Combining both competitions, teams will have 13 games per year, excluding playoff matches.

Will there be any weekend without games?

Currently, there will be no games scheduled for easter and King's birthday weekends. Easter weekend games will be played in a night round, scheduled for April 19^th.

Do clubs still need a development team?

Yes, clubs still need a development team as part of the criteria for on-field sustainability to be eligible to compete in Division 1.

What are the benefits of the new structure?

The new structure aims to enhance competitiveness, provide clear pathways for player and coach development, and ensure meaningful competitions across all divisions.

More to come....

Article added: Thursday 01 August 2024