Weymouth will return to the Premiership fold in 2021 as they become the 10th team competing for the McNamara Cup.
After playing in Premier 2 the past couple of seasons, Weymouth has received dispensation to move to the premier division despite not having another senior team this year.
Weymouth joins Ardmore Marist, Manurewa, Papakura, Karaka, Patumahoe, Pukekohe, Waiuku, Bombay and Onewhero in the top grade.
Significant growth in the Championship grade is another feature of the 2021 season..
Last year the grade, known then as Premier 3, featured seven clubs with Te Kauwhata, Drury, Maramarua, Puni and Tuakau entering sides as well as teams from Patumahoe and Ardmore Marist.
But in 2021 there could be as many as 10 teams competing for the Sid Marshall Shield with additional teams from Te Kohanga, Manurewa and maybe even Papakura joining the grade.
Tuakau, Te Kohanga, Puni and Papakura have a core group of players and hope to confirm enough players over the next couple of weeks to secure a spot.
The growth is encouraging at a time when the men’s game is losing playing numbers.
In addition, that growth is not coming from a lack of entries in the Premier Reserve grade. Ardmore Marist, Manurewa, Karaka, Patumahoe, Pukekohe, Bombay and Papakura will all run teams in the Premier Reserves while Waiuku are also hoping to have a side as well.
The U21 Massey Cup grade is set to feature seven teams with sides from Manurewa, Papakura, Karaka, Patumahoe, Pukekohe, Bombay and Waiuku confirmed.
The U85kg grade will see teams from Beachlands Maraetai, Papakura, Karaka, Bombay, Pukekohe, Patumahoe, Waiuku, Onewhero and Te Kauwhata competing.
Three Counties Manukau clubs will enter women’s teams in the Auckland Premier competition – Manurewa, Ardmore Marist and Papakura. Patumahoe, Puni and potentially Drury will have teams in the development grade.
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