RugbyWA Premier Grade
| 2025 2025 | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Formerly known as | West Australian Rugby Union First Grade |
| Instituted | 1928 |
| Number of teams | 11 |
| Holders | Wanneroo (2025) |
| Most titles | Nedlands (16) |
| Relegation to | RugbyWA Championship Grade |
The RugbyWA Premier Grade, known as the Fortescue Premier Grade under a naming rights deal, is the highest level of domestic club rugby played in Western Australia.[1] It was formed in 1928 and was the first consistent competition for rugby union in Western Australia. It is competed annually form early April to the end of August, the annual pre-season tournament, the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup commencing in March. The competition is managed by RugbyWA. The Premier Grade is contested by 11 teams from the Greater Perth area.[2]
The RugbyWA Premier Grade is offered in two competitions – the Men's Premier Grade and Women's Premier Grade. The Women's Premier Grade runs from early May until the end of August, with seven teams forming the competition.[3]
In 2022, RugbyWA partnered with Stan Sport to broadcast one Premier Grade game per round, with occasional double headers alongside the Women's competition.[4]
Current Men's Premier Grade clubs
The following 11 Rugby Union Clubs play in the RugbyWA Fortescue Premier Grade.
| Est. | Colours | Club | Location | Ground | Premierships* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Associates | Swanbourne | Allen Park | 10 (2024) | |
| 1893 | Cottesloe | Cottesloe | Harvey Field | 12 (2021) | |
| 1998 | Joondalup Brothers | Joondalup | HBF Arena | N/A | |
| 1974 | Kalamunda | Forrestfield | Hartfield Park | 1 (2008) | |
| 1934 | Nedlands | Nedlands | Charles Court Reserve | 16 (2015) | |
| 1934 | Palmyra | Alfred Cove | Tompkins Park | 3 (2023) | |
| 1906 | Perth Bayswater | Morley | Pat O'Hara Reserve | 3 (2007)* | |
| 1987 | Southern Lions | Success | Success Oval | N/A | |
| 1929 | UWA | Mount Claremont | UWA Sports Park | 5 (2014) | |
| 1981 | Wanneroo | Kingsway | Kingsway Reserve | 1 (2025) | |
| 1930 | Wests Scarborough | Doubleview | Bennett Park | 12 (2022)* |
- 1 of the 3 premierships won by Perth Bayswater was won as Perth-Suburbs
- 5 of the 12 premierships won by Wests Scarborough were won as Western Suburbs and 3 of the 12 premierships won by Wests Scarborough as Wests-Scarborough
*"(year)" Denotes the last year they won the premiership.
Current Women's Premier Grade clubs
The Fortescue Women's Premier Grade was instituted in 1995, and comprises seven teams.[5]
The following seven Rugby Union Clubs play in the RugbyWA Fortescue Women's Premier Grade.
| Est. | Colours | Club | Location | Ground | Premierships* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1893 | Cottesloe | Cottesloe | Harvey Field | 7 (2022) | |
| 1974 | Kalamunda | Forrestfield | Hartfield Park | 2 (2023) | |
| 1934 | Palmyra | Alfred Cove | Tompkins Park | 1 (2018) | |
| 1987 | Southern Lions | Success | Success Oval | N/A | |
| 1929 | UWA | Mount Claremont | UWA Sports Park | N/A | |
| 1981 | Wanneroo | Kingsway | Kingsway Reserve | 7 (2025) | |
| 1930 | Wests Scarborough | Doubleview | Bennett Park | N/A |
- Perth Bayswater have previously competed in this competition, and are now part of the Women's Community Xs competition. They have 7 previous Premier Grade Premierships.[6]
- Nedlands have previously competed in this competition, having won 7 previous Premierships.[7]
Men's Premiers
| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Wanneroo |
| 2024 | Associates |
| 2023 | Palmyra |
| 2022 | Wests Scarborough |
| 2021 | Cottesloe |
| 2020 | Cottesloe |
| 2019 | Cottesloe |
| 2018 | Associates |
| 2017 | Wests Scarborough |
| 2016 | Wests Scarborough |
| 2015 | Nedlands |
| 2014 | UWA |
| 2013 | Nedlands |
| 2012 | Associates |
| 2011 | UWA |
| 2010 | Nedlands |
| 2009 | Cottesloe |
| 2008 | Kalamunda |
| 2007 | Perth Bayswater |
| 2006 | Wests Subiaco |
| 2005 | Wests Subiaco |
| 2004 | Wests Subiaco |
| 2003 | Wests Subiaco |
| 2002 | Associates |
| 2001 | Cottesloe |
| 2000 | Nedlands |
| 1999 | Nedlands |
| 1998 | Associates |
| 1997 | Associates |
| 1996 | Perth Bayswater |
| 1995 | Nedlands |
| 1994 | Nedlands |
| 1993 | Nedlands |
| 1992 | Cottesloe |
| 1991 | Palmyra |
| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 1990 | Nedlands |
| 1989 | Nedlands |
| 1988 | Cottesloe |
| 1987 | Palmyra |
| 1986 | Nedlands |
| 1985 | Cottesloe |
| 1984 | Cottesloe |
| 1983 | Cottesloe |
| 1982 | Cottesloe |
| 1981 | Nedlands |
| 1980 | Nedlands |
| 1979 | Cottesloe |
| 1978 | Nedlands |
| 1977 | Western Suburbs |
| 1976 | Western Suburbs |
| 1975 | Western Suburbs |
| 1974 | Western Suburbs |
| 1973 | Nedlands |
| 1972 | UWA |
| 1971 | Western Suburbs |
| 1970 | Nedlands |
| 1969 | Perth Bayswater |
| 1968 | UWA |
| 1967 | UWA |
| 1966 | Associates |
| 1965 | Associates |
| 1964 | Associates |
| 1963 | Associates |
References
- ^ "The Cott Rugby Story". Cottesloe Rugby Union Football Club. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ Media, Rugby WA (15 February 2024). "RugbyWA Announces New Partnership with Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough for Inaugural Rendezvous Scarborough Challenge Cup". wa.rugby. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "Womens Fortescue Premier Grade | Rugby WA". wa.rugby. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "RugbyWA Matches to be Broadcast on Stan Sport in 2022". RugbyWA. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ "RugbyWA Winners Wall | Rugby WA". wa.rugby. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "RugbyWA Winners Wall | Rugby WA". wa.rugby. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "RugbyWA Winners Wall | Rugby WA". wa.rugby. Retrieved 22 September 2025.