The 2024 Bunnings Warehouse Farah Palmer Cup draw has been released and the Bay of Plenty Volcanix have 3 home games, with one doubling as a home double header with the Steamers, and another an away double header with the Steamers.

By finishing 5^th in last years Premiership division, the Volcanix remain in the top tier along with several genuine title contenders of New Zealand provincial womens rugby, Canterbury, Auckland Storm, Counties Manukau, Hawkes Bay and last years championship winners Northland, who gained promotion, at the expense of Wellington who were relegated to the Championship division for 2024.

New Zealand Rugby have aligned this years FPC with the Bunnings Warehouse NPC, so both competitions kick off on the same weekend.  On Saturday 10^th August, the Volcanix head over the Kamai Ranges along with the Steamers to the heart of Mooloo land to take on their Chiefs Manawa sisters, Waikato at 2.05pm.

Head of High Performance, Rodney Gibbs comments, “This will be a challenging year for our ladies as they look to build momentum throughout their campaign.  They’ve got two tough games on the road in Waikato and Northland, so it will test their mettle and the depth of our squad."

With three home games, GM Community Rugby Pat Rae comments, “Our womens community game is thriving at the moment with 14 womens teams competing across two divisions.  It made perfect sense to share our home games around the region.  5 teams in Eastern and Western Bay and 4 in Central Bay, it is amazing to see the growth in the womens game both locally and across the country.”

1. Saturday 10^th August v Waikato at FMG Stadium 2.05pm
2. Saturday 17^th August v Northland at Whangarei, 4.35pm
3. Saturday 24^th August v Counties Manukau at Whakatane, 2.35pm
4. Saturday 31^st August v Hawkes Bay at Napier, 2.05pm
5. Saturday 7^th Sept BYE
6. Saturday 14^th September v Auckland at Tauranga Domain, 12.05pm
7. Sunday 22^nd September v Canterbury at Rotorua International Stadium 12.05pm
8. Friday-Sunday 27^th – 29^th Sept Semi Finals
9. Friday -Sunday 4^th – 6^th October Finals.

Article added: Friday 08 March 2024