Thacker Shield
Encyclopedia
The Thacker Shield is a rugby league football trophy awarded on an annual basis to the winner of a match between the champion clubs of the Canterbury Rugby League
and West Coast Rugby League.
in 1913 after setting up the Canterbury Rugby Football League in 1912. The shield was originally competed for on a national basis by the various provincial club champions. Sydenham defeated North Shore to win the first title 13-8 on 6 September 1913. Ponsonby United
won the title in 1918. Ponsonby held the trophy until 1921 when it accepted a challenge from Auckland's City club, losing the trophy to City. Sydenham had also challenged for the trophy but had been told that there was no suitable date. The Canterbury Rugby League
, and their President Henry Thacker
, challenged this decision and the New Zealand Rugby League
stepped in, returning the trophy to Canterbury. The rules were subsequently admended to make the shield only contestable between South Island clubs. Runanga became the first West Coast Rugby League team to win the trophy, when they defeated Addington 16-6 at Monica Park in 1931.
Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand...
and West Coast Rugby League.
History
The shield was donated by Dr Henry ThackerHenry Thacker
Dr Henry Thomas Joynt Thacker was a doctor, New Zealand Member of Parliament and Mayor of Christchurch.-Early life:...
in 1913 after setting up the Canterbury Rugby Football League in 1912. The shield was originally competed for on a national basis by the various provincial club champions. Sydenham defeated North Shore to win the first title 13-8 on 6 September 1913. Ponsonby United
Ponsonby Ponies
The Ponsonby Ponies are a rugby league club based in Ponsonby, New Zealand. The club was founded in 1908 and competes in the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition.-History:...
won the title in 1918. Ponsonby held the trophy until 1921 when it accepted a challenge from Auckland's City club, losing the trophy to City. Sydenham had also challenged for the trophy but had been told that there was no suitable date. The Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand...
, and their President Henry Thacker
Henry Thacker
Dr Henry Thomas Joynt Thacker was a doctor, New Zealand Member of Parliament and Mayor of Christchurch.-Early life:...
, challenged this decision and the New Zealand Rugby League
New Zealand Rugby League
The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....
stepped in, returning the trophy to Canterbury. The rules were subsequently admended to make the shield only contestable between South Island clubs. Runanga became the first West Coast Rugby League team to win the trophy, when they defeated Addington 16-6 at Monica Park in 1931.