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WESTERN FORCE MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Perth’s Pindan Premier Grade will kick off it’s 2015 season this weekend, with the competition boasting several new initiatives this season.
In addition to the Pindan Premier Grade Trophy for the winner of the competition’s grand final on Sunday, 23 August, teams will have the opportunity to contest the RugbyWA Cup throughout the season, while one match per round throughout the season will be streamed live over the internet.
Similar to New Zealand’s Ranfurly Shield, the RugbyWA Cup will be contested on a challenge system with the holder to defend it at all home fixtures during the regular season (excludes finals matches). Once a team has successfully defended it on three occasions, all of the holder's subsequent matches will be mandatory defences – irrespective of home or away. The annual winner of the Cup is the team in possession after Round 18.
The Joondalup Brothers, who have been promoted into the Pindan Premier Grade for the first time in 2015, will contest the RugbyWA Cup for the first time when they host Kalamunda in Round One this Saturday at HBF Arena Joondalup.
The inaugural RugbyWA Cup clash will also be streamed live over the internet – the first time a Pindan Premier Grade match can be seen live online.
The streaming, made possible by LMSC, can be seen live HERE. Games will be available to watch online after the match.
In addition to Joondalup’s RugbyWA Cup showdown with Kalamunda, the first round will feature defending premiers, UWA, take on Associates at McGillivray Oval; last year’s minor premiers, Nedlands, will host Wests Scarborough at The Foreshore; Perth Bayswater travels to Harvey Field to front Cottesloe; and Wanneroo and Palmyra will square off at Kingsway Reserve.
RugbyWA General Manager, Game Development, Andrew Hill says the new initiatives will kick-start what promises to be another big season of local rugby.
“The start of a new season is always a fantastic time of the year, and we’re particularly excited about what the 2015 season has in store,” he said.
“Joondalup’s promotion provides more competition as they represent one of the strongest rugby growth regions in the country, and reports from our clubs are that the pre-season preparations have been very thorough as they look to make a charge in this year’s Pindan Premier Grade season.
“The RugbyWA Cup will provide additional interest to matches throughout the season, and provides a competition within the competition as teams challenge one another for the right to hold the cup at the end of the season.
“Similarly, we’re very excited to be broadcasting one match a week online through our partnership with LMSC. This will provide the opportunity for those not at the match to be able to view it live, including a large number of former players and club members no longer in Perth who still take a strong interest in the local game here.”
Pindan Premier Grade - Round One
Saturday, 28 March
Kick-off: 3.30pm
Joondalup v Kalamunda HBF Arena, Joondalup (Kick-off: 4.15pm)
Nedlands v Wests Scarborough The Foreshore, Nedlands
UWA v Associates McGillivray Oval, Mt Claremont
Cottesloe v Perth Bayswater Harvey Field, Cottesloe
Wanneroo v Palmyra Kingsway Reserve, Landsdale