The Australian Rugby Shield has a new home with Newcastle set to host Rugby Australia’s amateur showpiece in October 2025.
Founded in 2000, the Australian Rugby Shield (ARS) is the country's top XV-a-side community representative tournament with state and regional sides fighting through pool play and placing rounds to determine a national men’s and women’s champion.
Following the resounding success of 2024’s 12-team format, City of Newcastle has partnered with Rugby Australia to bring the ARS – and an additional two sides - back to the tournament’s most successful region in NSW Country.
NSW Country boast five titles overall with the Cockatoos men (four) and Corellas women (one), however the balance of power is shifting with ACT & Southern NSW and QLD Country clinching the women’s and men’s titles respectively last year.
In 2025, Newcastle will welcome a total 14 senior men's and women's teams comprising hosts NSW Country, NSW Suburban, QLD Country, QLD Suburban, ACT and Southern NSW (women, Tasmania (men), South Australia and Defence Forces.
The 2025 Australian Rugby Shield runs between October 1 and October 5 with further venue details to come.
Chair of City of Newcastle's Sports Infrastructure Working Party, Cr Peta Winney-Baartz
"Newcastle is known for its love of sport and its proud rugby union history, so we are thrilled to be supporting the 2025 Australian Rugby Shield, which will bring hundreds of the country's best amateur rugby union players, their coaches, supporters and officials to Newcastle for the five-day tournament.
"Hosting the Australian Rugby Shield will further enhance our reputation as an events city, provide an invaluable opportunity to showcase Newcastle's broader attractions to participants and visitors and deliver a significant economic boost to local businesses."
Rugby Australia Community Rugby Director Michael Procajlo
"We are pleased to be partnering with City of Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union to deliver the ARS in 2025 and round out a huge year of rugby in the region, with both the Wallaroos and Wallabies to play test matches in the coming months."
"We know the local community will enjoy watching the quality rugby that will be played throughout this tournament, and our visiting teams and supporters are excited to discover what is on offer in Newcastle."
Hunter Rugby Union President James Slattery
"This is a terrific opportunity to showcase the Hunter and Newcastle as both a rugby and tourist destination."
"The Hunter Rugby Union is excited to host an expanded Australian Rugby Shield in 2025 and bring more community rugby events to our region in conjunction with the upcoming Wallaroos and Wallabies Test matches."
