Farah Palmer Cup


The Farah Palmer Cup, is the highest level domestic women's rugby competition in New Zealand and is named after the former Black Ferns captain, Farah Palmer. This contest is held annually from late August to early November and managed by the New Zealand Rugby Union, or NZRU. The competition was first introduced in 1999, with a total of fourteen teams competing initially. The number of teams increased to eighteen in the year 2000, but has decreased to as few as six teams, with nine currently featured. Canterbury are the current holders of the JJ Stewart Trophy, the women's equivalent of the Ranfurly Shield. The Farah Palmer Cup is an amateur competition; players are not paid salaries and hold jobs outside of rugby.

Competition format

All teams face each other at least once, with the top four teams in the championship proceeding to the semi-finals. From 2011 to 2014, the semi-finals round was eliminated and the top two teams in the championship automatically qualified for the finals. In 2015, the semi-finals round was reintroduced.

Teams

Championship Finals

Past Premierships

Past Championships

Total Wins