Season 2010 will be the inaugural year of the John McMartin 1st Division Challenge Shield. The concept is based on the New Zealand Rugby Union’s Ranfurley Shield and is aimed at giving every team in the 1st Division competition a chance to win some silverware during the season regardless of their position on the comp ladder. This is how it will work:
- For the start of the 2010 season, as reigning 1st Division premiers, UTS Tigers will hold the shield;
- At their first home game they will be required to put the shield up for challenge by the visiting team;
- If UTS win they keep the shield until their next home game when they must put it up for challenge once again and so on for every home game;
- Should the visiting team win the match they take possession of the shield and keep it until their next home game, when they must put it up for challenge to their visiting team;
- To add further interest the shield holder can elect to put the shield up for challenge at any away match of its choosing, but of course if they lose the match the home team keeps the shield;
- The team holding of the shield following the last match of the regular home and away season, will have its name inscribed on the shield as the winners for that season.
The Shield has been named after NSWTSRL President and one of rugby league’s toughest and most courageous players. “Macca” played over 250 first grade games with Parramatta and Cronulla during the late ’60’s and throughout the ’70’s and was a NSW representative in 1975. He has been a strong supporter of and hard worker for the NSWTSRL for many years and it is only fitting his contribution to the League be acknowledged by having the Challenge Shield named after him.
All going well the concept will be extended to 2nd Division in 2011.
