Since 2007, the WaiBOP Federation Challenge Shield has been contested in the highest men’s league that's made up entirely of WaiBOP teams.

That's currently the NRFL Southern Conference. It was previously contested in the WaiBOP Premiership, and before that, the Fed 1 league.

The competition works on similar rules to rugby’s Ranfurly Shield, with the club holding the shield defending it when playing at home.

Last year, Cambridge won the shield from Waikato Unicol on 31 August 2024, and held it over the off-season. Cambridge won the Southern Conference League in 2024 and were promoted into the NRFL Championship. As it stays in the Southern Conference, the challenge shield then passes to the previous holder. As Waikato Unicol are not in the Southern Conference in 2025, it's been returned to Taupo AFC who held it prior to Unicol.

Taupo AFC successfully defended the shield on the 29th March with a 2-1 win against Claudelands Rovers, and the 12th April with a 3-0 win against Papamoa Flying Mullets.

The shield is up for grabs again today at 3pm in their game against Otumoetai AFC.

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Article added: Saturday 26 April 2025