Anna 
A new women’s rugby competition will fill the March-to-May gap in South-East Queensland’s rugby calendar, leading into a revamped nine-round Premier Women’s competition starting on June 7.
The updated structure aims to better support the growth of women’s rugby by catering to both newcomers and high-performance athletes.
The StoreLocal Challenge Cup will introduce four new clubs—Brisbane Irish, Bond Pirates, Gold Coast Eagles, and Redlands Combined—while allowing Wests and Sunnybank to field two teams each. Established teams from Brothers, Easts, University of Queensland, Norths, Souths, and Bond University will also participate.
The StoreLocal Hospital Cup, a staple of grassroots rugby in the region, continues to thrive, with Brothers captain Will Wilson expressing his team’s desire to secure a third consecutive title.
“As Brothers, we’ve had great moments in past grand finals at Ballymore, but we know there’s a lot of work ahead to reach our next goal,” Wilson said.
Support for Women’s Rugby Grows
StoreLocal, a key partner of Queensland Rugby Union (QRU), has extended its support to both men’s and women’s competitions.
Redlands Combined fullback Yolanda Simeone welcomed the opportunity to compete against the more established Premier Rugby women’s teams, while Brisbane Irish player Niamh Oliver emphasized the value of gaining experience against stronger opponents.
Veteran player and former Wallaroo Cheyenne Campbell, 38, will continue playing for Redlands, adding leadership and experience to the squad.
Backing from StoreLocal
StoreLocal CEO Hans Pearson reaffirmed the company’s commitment to grassroots rugby, highlighting its role in supporting community-based competitions.
“Our team takes great pride in backing Queensland’s premier men’s and women’s rugby competitions because grassroots rugby is the lifeblood of the sport,” Pearson said.
“We have been the naming rights partner of the StoreLocal Hospital Cup since 2022, and we’re thrilled to extend our support to the StoreLocal Challenge Cup for 14 women’s teams. This year is a massive one for Australian rugby, with the improved performances of our Super Rugby Pacific teams and the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour.”
Encouraging More Clubs to Join
QRU Rugby Services Manager Connor Ellis believes the new competition format will create more opportunities for clubs and players.
“The clubs themselves see this as a way to enhance the experience for women’s teams,” Ellis said.
“The women’s game is growing rapidly, and we want to provide the right environment for everyone—from those just starting out to those aiming for Super Rugby Women’s and beyond.”
Following the StoreLocal Challenge Cup, the StoreLocal Premier Rugby Women’s competition will kick off in June, running for nine rounds plus finals, aligning with the StoreLocal Hospital Cup.
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