Women's Rugby
In 2024, we proudly celebrate 35 years of women's rugby in Wellington, marking the official commencement in 1989. WRFU has a very proud history, making significant contributions to the esteemed legacy of the Black Ferns. Among the notable figures are legends like Neroli Knight, Rebecca Liua’ana, Erin Rush, Izzy Ford, and Tia Paasi. The legacy continues with the likes of Aimee Sutorius, Sanita Levave, Jackie Patea-Fereti, and more recent stars like Joanah Ngan-Woo and Ayesha Leti-I’iga.
The pinnacle of women's rugby in Wellington is embodied by the Wellington Pride, the premier representative women's team. Competing nationally for the Farah Palmer Cup, the Wellington Pride secured the championship in 2018 and the Premiership in 2006. As we reflect on this remarkable journey, we acknowledge the dedication and achievements that have shaped the vibrant and enduring legacy of women's rugby in Wellington.
In the Premier Women's space, the Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy (formerly known as the Victoria Tavern Trophy) has been contested since 1993. Over the last 10 club seasons, four different clubs have claimed the trophy, showcasing the continuous emergence of new contenders vying to lift it for the first time.
There are 3 trophies up for grabs in the women's competition:
• Rebecca Liua'ana Trophy (Formerly known as the Fleurs Trophy) - Women's First Round
• Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy (Formerly known as the Victoria Tavern Trophy) - Women's Second Round, Division One
• Izzy Ford Cup - Women's Second Round, Division Two
For more information, click the logos to go to the club's pages within this section.
Competing Clubs
 | Avalon was formed in 1994, and has been competing in the women's rugby competition for 14 seasons. They have won both the Rebecca Liua'ana & Tia Paasi Memorial Trophies in their existence in 2001 and 2007 respectively. |
 | Hutt Old Boys Marist was formed in 1999, and has been in our competition for 14 seasons. They won the Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy in 1999 and 2006, and the Izzy Ford Cup in 2016. |
 | Marist St Pats was formed in 2008 and have been in our competition for 10 seasons. After being merged with Poneke in 2014 and having the year off in 2015, they returned in 2016. They won the Izzy Ford Cup in 2019. |
 | Northern United was one of the founding clubs formed in 1990 and is the only club that has appeared in our competition every season. Norths are the most successful club having won the Rebecca Liua'ana Trophy 15 times and the Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy 14 times. |
 | Old Boys University was formed in 2001, and have appeared in our competition for 17 seasons. They won the Izzy Ford Cup in 2018. |
 | Oriental Rongotai was formed in 1995, and is the second oldest Women's Club. They have been in our competition for 24 seasons and won the Izzy Ford Cup in 2000, the Rebecca Liua'ana Trophy in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019, and the Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy in 2014, 2017 and 2019. |
 | Paremata-Plimmerton is a founding club and were the inaugural Women's competition winner in 1990 before the Fleurs (now known as the Rebecca Liua'ana Trophy) and Victoria Tavern Trophies (now known as the Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy) arrived. |
 | Petone was formed in 1993. They won the Rebecca Liua'ana Trophy in 1994, the Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy in 1993 and 1994, and the Izzy Ford Cup in 2017. |
 | Poneke was formed in 1991, and is the third oldest women's club. Poneke have been in our competition for 21 seasons. |
 | Wainuiomata is one of our three founding clubs from the 1990 season. Wainuiomata won the Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy in 2012 and 2016, as well as the Izzy Ford Cup in 2015. In 2019, Wainuiomata and Avalon merged for a season, before taking 2020 off to return to the competition in 2021. |
Other Clubs that have appeared over the last 30 years
Eketahuna (from Wairarapa) took part in our competition in 2010 to 2012 winning the Rebecca Liua'ana & Tia Paasi Memorial Trophies in 2011
Fort Dorset was one of our founding Clubs in 1990 and only appeared in our competition in that year
Johnsonville merged with Tawa for 2016. The Johnsonville Rugby Football Club women's team was one of the founding clubs in 1990 and have been in our competition for 12 seasons. They won the Rebecca Liua'ana Trophy in 2008
Paraparaumu took part for 1 year in our competition in 2003
Stokes Valley another founding club from 1990 won the Womens competition in 1991 and 1992 again before Fleurs and Victoria Tavern arrived. They have appeared in our competition for 14 years
Tawa merged with Johnsonville for 2016. Tawa was also a founding club in 1990 and have previously been in our competition for 5 seasons
Upper Hutt Rams the most recent Women's team. Previously, their merger clubs, Upper Hutt and Rimutaka, have both had women's teams compete, with Upper Hutt beginning in 1998, and Rimutaka in 2002
Wellingtonwas another founding member in 1990. They appeared in our competition for 13 years. Winning the Rebecca Liua'ana Trophy 4 times and Tia Paasi Memorial Trophy 3 times
Western Suburbs was formed in 1991 and have appeared in our competition for 7 years