Seven South Auckland clubs will take part in a 16-team Fox Memorial Premiership competition next year after Auckland Rugby League confirmed the structure for 2023.
The 16 clubs will be split into pools of four based on 2021 results (2022’s result were not allowed to be used based on participation agreements).
The season begins with the teams playing each other team in their pool – the top three at that point move into a 12-team Fox Memorial Premiership while the bottom team from each pool drop into the Sharman Cup.
Three local clubs feature in Pool A with the Mangere East Hawks, Manukau Magpies and Pakuranga Jaguars joining heavyweight Auckland outfit Pt Chevalier Pirates.
The Papakura Sea Eagles have been drawn in Pool C alongside Glenora Bears, Marist Saints and Northcote Tigers while three more South Auckland clubs feature in Pool D – Otahuhu Leopards, Howick Hornets and Otara Scorpions joining the Te Atatu Roosters in a tough pool.
Once the pool stage is completed, the 12 teams competing in the Fox Memorial will play a full round robin before breaking into a top six and bottom six for the playoffs – the top six will play for the Fox Memorial Shield and the bottom six contesting the Fox Championship Cup.
The Sharman Cup will follow a similar format from May 6 with the bottom pool teams and all other Premiership teams. The top four from the 2023 Sharman Cup will automatically qualify for the 2024 Stage 1 Qualifiers.
ARL CEO, Rebecca Russell said, “It was great that we were able to get our competition underway amidst the uncertainty brought on by Covid-19 in the pre-season. It quickly became clear that a tiered Premiership competition structure was needed to consistently bring competitive games to our community.”
“It has been an in-depth and lengthy process working closely with our stakeholders to get to this stage, but we are happy to be able to confirm the competition format to give clubs and players some certainty heading into 2023.”
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