See also: Club Rugby (Australia).
| Dewar Shield | |
| Pixels: | 150px |
| Sport: | Rugby union |
| Teams: | 8; See teams |
| Country: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Champion: | Power House (2024) |
| Most Successful Club: | Melbourne (20) |
The Dewar Shield is a rugby union competition in Melbourne. It is the premier amateur rugby competition in Victoria. A total of eight teams from the Victorian Rugby Union compete for the trophy. Clubs must field teams in 3 grades, Dewar Shield Reserves (Penwill Cup) and Dewar Shield 3rd Grade (Mawhinney Cup), to be eligible to compete.
A "Game of the week" is streamed on the Rugby Victoria Facebook Page.
The Premier competition is contested by eight clubs with each club fielding three teams (1st Grade, Reserve Grade, and 3rd Grade). Other senior competitions offered are Metro 2nd Division with an A, B & C Grade, Colts (U20), Country, Women and Masters (over 35s).
During this time, a number of clubs have dominated the 1st Grade results. Melbourne Rugby Club has the most number of Premierships with 20. Moorabbin holds the record for consecutive Premierships, winning six in a row from 1981 to 1986. Other prominent clubs during this 100-year period include Melbourne University, Power House and Navy.
Footscray and Endeavour Hills were promoted to the Premier division for the 2011 season.
Victorian Rugby Union Premiership winners
(list may not be complete)
a Kiwi-Hawthorn now play in the Premiership competition.
b Southern Districts now play in the Premiership competition.