40 years of Women’s Rugby in Canterbury

This weekend’s edition represents the 41st time the Women’s Premier Trophy goes on the line.  

First contested in 1982 in a round robin format played on Sunday, the first final featured Linwood and University, believed to have been shared as a result of a 0-0 draw, a spectacular contest that the scoreline didn’t do justice. Both clubs will again feature in finals this weekend, competing in the showpieces of the Championship and Premiership respectively. 

Since that 1982 match, seven different clubs have hoisted silverware, with this weekend’s match up a battle of the most successful. University is top of the pops, hoisting the lofty trophy 20 times, with two of those shared titles in both 1982 and 1985.  

Their opponents Christchurch have won 11 titles since their first in 1995, including four of the last five.  

Sydenham are the next most successful, with four titles, while Belfast, Linwood and Suburbs boast two apiece, with Suburbs the other club to share the spoils in 1985. Prebbleton round out the previous winners, winning their lone title in 1999 as we await another chapter to be added to the rich history of Women’s Rugby in Canterbury.