A development‑focused grade for emerging young players transitioning out of school, supporting their growth in senior club environments. It blends competitiveness with learning, skill development and club integration.

Trophies & Structure

The Colts' club competition features the following trophies:

• First Round
  • Tank Paris Memorial Trophy - First Division
    David E. “Tank” Paris played senior rugby for the Oriental club before moving to the Wellington Football Club, where he became heavily involved in coaching their Under 21 teams. He also served as a Vice‑President of the club and was widely respected as the coach of the Wellington Representative Under 21 side. Tank passed away suddenly on 15 July 1982 at just 42 years old.
  • JRD Cup - Second Division
• Second Round
  • John E Kelly Memorial Cup - First Division

    The trophy is named after John Kelly, who served as Club Captain and was a long‑standing member of the Wellington Football Club’s rugby administration. The trophy was donated to WRFU by the Wellington Football Club in 1985.

  • Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup - Second Division
    Vic Calcinai was a long‑serving Pōneke stalwart, contributing both as a player and coach through the 1950s. During the war years, he captained and coached the combined Pōneke-Oriental side. Vic later became WRFU President (#26) in 1968. The trophy named in his honour was established in 1986.

• For historical champions, scroll to the bottom of this page

2026 Participating Clubs

The 11 clubs active in the competition include:

• Hutt Old Boys Marist
• Marist St Pats
• Northern United
• Old Boys University
• Oriental Rongotai
• Paremata-Plimmerton
• Petone
• Pōneke
• Tawa
• Upper Hutt Rams
• Wellington

2026 Competition Structure & Format

First Round: Tank Paris Memorial Trophy & JRD Cup (4 April – 13 June)

• 10-week competition (double round-robin)
• Two divisions: Premiership (Tank Paris Memorial Trophy) and Championship (JRD Cup)
  • 6-5
• Teams play within their division
• Grade-wide break on King's Birthday weekend

Mid-Season Promotion/Relegation

Promotion and relegation will occur at the end of the first round:

• ↑  John E Kelly Memorial Cup – JRD Cup winner
• ↓  Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup – Tank Paris Memorial Trophy 6^th seed

Second Round: John E Kelly Memorial Cup & Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup (20 June – 25 July)

• 6-5 split
  • John E Kelly Memorial Cup – Premiership
  • Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup – Championship
• Full 5-week round-robin within each division
• 1 v 2 Grand Final in each Division

Post-Season Promotion/Relegation

Promotion and relegation for the next season's first round will occur after the second-round:

• ↑  Tank Paris Memorial Trophy – Vic Calcinai Memorial Cup winner
• ↓  JRD Cup – John E Kelly Memorial Cup 6^th seed

Past Winners