Tasmania’s revamped premier women’s and juniors rugby competition returns this weekend with 13 teams set to take the field in 2024.
In a major step forward for women’s rugby, this year’s statewide competition sees the format shift from seven-a-side (7s) to fifteen-a-side (15s) rugby.
Eastern Suburbs, Launceston, Glenorchy and Taroona will all field standalone teams in the inaugural women’s 15s tournament with University and Hobart Harlequins merging to form a fifth side, Uni-Quins.
Meanwhile, Devonport, Taroona and Hutchins (linked to Hobart Lions) will all contest the U18s state title with Glenorchy and Launceston joining in a five-team U16s competition.
The Tasmanian Rugby Union is also excited to formally unveil TasNetworks as naming rights partner for the state’s premier women’s competition and junior pathways for the next three years.
Tasmanian Rugby Union president Shaun Killian warmly welcomed TasNetworks’ investment into women’s and junior rugby, saying: “TasNetworks are a socially aware organisation committed to working alongside the state’s rugby community and making a meaningful difference to the lives of Tasmanians, now and into the future.”
“TasNetworks’ support of Tasmanian Rugby in 2024 and beyond extends the active role they play investing in programs that deliver sustainable outcomes and create positive change.”
Round 1 of the Women's, U16s and U18s competitions kick off this weekend with Rounds 1-5 fixtures listed below.
Women's Round 1 - Saturday May 25
Uni-Quins v Launceston (Rugby Park) - 1:30pm
Glenorchy v Eastern Suburbs (Eady Street) - 1:30pm
Taroona BYE
U18s Round 1 - Saturday May 25
Taroona v Hutchins (Rugby Park) - 12:15pm
Devonport BYE
U16s Round 1 - Saturday May 25
Glenorchy v Launceston (Eady Street) - 12:15pm
Taroona v Hutchins (Rugby Park) - 11:15am
Women's Round 2 - Saturday June 1
Taroona v Launceston (Rugby Park) - 1:30pm
Uni-Quins v Glenorchy (UTAS Oval) - 1:30pm
Eastern Suburbs BYE
U18s Round 2 - Saturday June 1
Devonport v Taroona (Don Rec Ground) - 1:30pm
Hutchins BYE
U16s Round 2 - Saturday June 1
Devonport v Glenorchy (Don Rec Ground) - 12:30pm
Hutchins v Launceston (War Memorial Oval Hutchins) - 12:30pm
Taroona (BYE)
Women's Round 3 - Saturday June 15
Launceston v Glenorchy (Royal Park) - 1:30pm
Eastern Suburbs v Taroona (North Warrane) - 1:30pm
Uni-Quins BYE
U18s Round 3 - Saturday June 15
Devonport v Hutchins (Don Rec Ground) - 1:30pm
Taroona BYE
U16s Round 3 - Saturday June 15
Launceston v Devonport (Royal Park) - 11:00am
Taroona v Glenorchy (Rugby Park) - 12:15pm
Hutchins BYE
Women's Round 4 - Saturday June 22
Launceston v Eastern Suburbs (Royal Park) - 1:30pm
Taroona v Uni-Quins (Rugby Park) - 1:30pm
Glenorchy BYE
U18s Round 4 - Saturday June 22
Hutchins v Taroona - 1:30pm
Devonport BYE
U16s Round 4 - Saturday June 22
Launceston v Taroona (Royal Park) - 12:30pm
Hutchins v Devonport (War Memorial Oval) - 12:30pm
Glenorchy BYE
Women's Round 5 - Saturday June 29
Glenorchy v Taroona (Eady Street) - 1:30pm
Eastern Suburbs v Uni-Quins (North Warrane) - 1:30pm
Launceston BYE
U18s Round 5 - Saturday June 29
Taroona v Devonport (Rugby Park) - 1:30pm
Hutchins BYE
U16s Round 5 - Saturday June 29
Glenorchy v Hutchins (Eady Street) - 12:30pm
Taroona v Devonport (Rugby Park) - 12:30pm
Launceston BYE