Harold Matthews Cup

The clubs

In 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, 15 clubs fielded teams in the NSWRL UNE Harold Matthews Cup.

The New Zealand Warriors joined the competition in 2024, having previously fielded teams in the older age S.G. Ball Cup. The Melbourne Storm re-joined the Harold Matthews Cup in 2024, having previously fielded a team in the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

• Balmain Tigers
• Canberra Raiders
• Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
• Central Coast Roosters
• Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
• Illawarra Steelers
• Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
• Melbourne Storm
• Newcastle Knights
• New Zealand Warriors (Auckland Warriors)
• North Sydney Bears
• Parramatta Eels
• Penrith Panthers
• South Sydney Rabbitohs
• St George Dragons
• Sydney Roosters (Eastern Suburbs Roosters)
• Western Suburbs Magpies

In the 1970s and early 1980s the Harold Matthews Cup was played in a carnival format over three to five successive days. Teams from the country groups and regions competed alongside representative teams from the NSWRL clubs of Sydney. The competition later changed to a partial round-robin format.

Former teams in the Harold Matthews Cup include: Gold Coast Titans (2009), South-Western Sydney Academy of Sport (2008–16) and Western Sydney Academy of Sport (2007–17).

After the sixth round on 14 & 15 March, the 2020 competition was suspended and subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

Harold Matthews Cup Premiers

Knock-Out Tournament

Regular Season and Finals

From 1992 to 2002 and again since 2004, the Harold Matthews Cup has been run as a regular season a series of home-and-away matches followed by a final series. The number of rounds in the regular season is limited, with the limit being less than the number of teams. This means that each team plays some but not all of their opponents in the competition.

Premiership Tally

Bold means that the team is still currently playing in the competition.

References

References

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16. Hannan, Bevan. (1 May 1995). "Raiders outclass favourites to take junior title". National Library of Australia.
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20. . (2002). "NSWRL District Representative Competitions". *New South Wales Rugby League Annual Report*.
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26. (17 May 2005). "Your games - school and weekend club results - part two of two". News Limited.
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38. (7 May 2013). "2013 HMATTS Grand Final".
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41. (4 May 2017). "2014 Harold Matthews Grand Final".
42. (11 May 2015). "District Reps: Harold Matthews Grand Final".
43. (13 May 2015). "Harold Matthews highlights: Grand Final".
44. (10 May 2016). "Live Blog – Harold Matthews Grand Final vs Newcastle Knights".
45. (10 May 2016). "Highlights - 2016 Harold Matthews Cup Grand Final".
46. Gardiner, James. (6 May 2017). "Newcastle Knights score in extra-time to snatch thrilling comeback win over Manly Sea Eagles in Harold Matthews Cup final". Newcastle Herald.
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49. (10 May 2018). "Highlights - UNE Harold Matthews Grand Final".
50. Honeysett, Stuart. (4 May 2019). "Newcastle crowned Harold Matthews champions".
51. (8 May 2019). "Highlights - UNE Harold Matthews Cup Grand Final".
52. (2020-03-27). "NSWRL cancels nine competitions for 2020 season".
53. (1 May 2021). "Fainu puts on masterclass for Harold Matthews decider".
54. Honeysett, Stuart. (30 Apr 2022). "Magpies cap stunning season with Harold Matthews Cup Grand Final win".
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56. (3 May 2025). "Warriors go-back-to-back in UNE Harold Matthews Cup".