Newfoundland and Labrador Challenge Cup

The Newfoundland and Labrador Challenge Cup, known as the Johnson Insurance Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons, is the premier senior men's soccer league in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The competition is held annually from May until September and is governed and organized by the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association. It is a tier 5 league in the Canadian soccer pyramid,[citation needed] and as a result the winning club qualifies to compete for the Challenge Trophy as the representative for Newfoundland and Labrador in October of each year. The St. Lawrence Laurentians and Holy Cross have traditionally dominated the competition, having won a combined total of 49 Cups out of the 58 times that it has been contested.[2]

Newfoundland and Labrador Challenge Cup
Founded1950[1]
CountryCanada
ConfederationCONCACAF
Number of teams6 (from 2023)
Domestic cup(s)Challenge Trophy
Current championsHoly Cross FC
(2024)
Most championshipsSt. Lawrence
(29 titles)
Websitenlsa.ca

Competition format

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The Newfoundland Challenge Cup consists of Newfoundland and Labrador-based men's senior amateur soccer clubs. The teams first compete to qualify for a playoff round in a league format, usually a quadruple- or hextuple-round robin system, depending on the number of clubs competing. Normally teams play around 20 league matches in a single season. At the end of the league phase the 4 clubs with the most points qualify for the playoffs (3 points are awarded for a win, 1 point is awarded for a draw, and none for a loss). Clubs are ranked by total points, then head-to-head record, then goal differential and then goals scored. If two clubs are still tied for a playoff position then a penalty kick competition at a venue decided by the league will determine the ranking. If three or more clubs are still tied the ranking will be determined by the drawing of lots.

The playoff round of the NLCC uses a Page playoff format, which was reinstituted in 2015 after the league switched to a more typical two round format in 2011. The competition takes place at one location over Labour Day weekend each year. The winner of the final qualifies for the Canadian National Challenge Cup as the representative for Newfoundland and Labrador.[3]

Champions[4]

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Titles

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Clubs in bold currently compete in the Challenge Cup.[5]

Club Wins Winning seasons
St. Lawrence Laurentians
29
1951, 1952, 1955, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2016
Holy Cross FC
23
1950, 1973, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024
St. John's Guards
4
1957, 1958, 1959, 1965
Grand Bank GeeBees
4
1960, 1964, 1970, 1974
Feildians AA
3
1969, 2021, 2023
Corner Brook Royals
2
1961, 1962
Burin Eagles
2
1990, 1991
St. John's All-Stars
1
1953
Corner Brook All-Stars
1
1954
Corner Brook
1
1956
St. John's St. Pat's
1
1963
Lawn Shamrocks
1
1987
Mount Pearl FC
1
2003
Marystown United
1
2004

Recent seasons

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2017

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 St. Lawrence Laurentians (Q) 23 16 3 4 47 12 +35 51 2017 NLCC Playoffs
2 Holy Cross (Q) 23 13 5 5 50 26 +24 44
3 Mount Pearl (Q) 23 11 7 5 41 27 +14 40
4 Feildians (Q) 23 9 6 8 32 27 +5 33
5 Conception Bay Strikers 23 7 4 12 29 36 −7 25
6 Corner Brook United 23 1 1 21 5 71 −66 4
7 NL Canada Games Team[a] 18 6 4 8 25 36 −11 22
Updated to match(es) played on 23 August 2017. Source: NLSA
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) penalty kick competition
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
  1. ^ Playing on an exhibition basis only, however points earned against them still count toward the standings

2016

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Holy Cross (Q, C) 22 16 4 2 59 18 +41 52 2016 NLCC Playoffs
2 Mount Pearl (Q) 22 14 3 5 45 20 +25 45
3 St. Lawrence Laurentians (Q) 22 13 4 5 53 18 +35 43
4 Feildians (Q) 22 12 3 7 46 30 +16 39
5 Corner Brook United 22 2 4 16 21 58 −37 10
6 Conception Bay Strikers 22 0 3 19 7 75 −68 3
7 NL Canada Games Team[a] 12 3 3 6 15 27 −12 12
Updated to match(es) played on 24 August 2016. Source: NLSA
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) penalty kick competition
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
  1. ^ Playing on an exhibition basis only, however points earned against them still count toward the standings

Playoffs

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2 September 2016 Quarter-final 1 Holy Cross 2 – 3 Mount Pearl St. Lawrence
13:00 NDT UTC−2.5   28' (o.g.)
Williams   82'
Forsey   58'
Morris   82'
Woodfine   90'
Stadium: Centennial Field
2 September 2015 Quarter-final 2 St. Lawrence Laurentians 2 – 0 Feildians St. Lawrence
16:00 NDT UTC−2.5 Grant   21'
Drew   81'
Stadium: Centennial Field
3 September 2015 Semi-final Holy Cross 1 – 1 (a.e.t.)
(0 – 3 p)
St. Lawrence Laurentians St. Lawrence
NDT UTC−2.5 Wade   13' Kelly   47' Stadium: Centennial Field
4 September 2015 Final Mount Pearl 1 – 2 (a.e.t.) St. Lawrence Laurentians St. Lawrence
NDT UTC−2.5 Reddy   63' (pen.) Caines   43'
Hennebury   103'
Stadium: Centennial Field

2015

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Holy Cross (Q) 20 16 3 1 65 12 +53 51 2015 NLCC Playoffs
2 St. Lawrence Laurentians (Q) 20 14 2 4 46 11 +35 44
3 Mount Pearl (Q) 20 11 3 6 39 18 +21 36
4 Feildians (Q) 20 7 4 9 25 32 −7 25
5 Corner Brook United 20 5 1 14 21 58 −37 16
6 Conception Bay Strikers 20 0 1 19 3 68 −65 1
Updated to match(es) played on 26 August 2015. Source: NLSA
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) penalty kick competition
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Playoffs

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4 September 2015 Quarter Final 1 Holy Cross 3 – 1 St. Lawrence Mount Pearl
18:00 NDT UTC−2.5 Breen   8'
Williams   43'
Slaney   45'
Report Drew   55' Stadium: Gushue Complex
4 September 2015 Quarter Final 2 Mount Pearl 1 – 0 Feildians Mount Pearl
20:30 NDT UTC−2.5 Reddy   43' Report Stadium: Gushue Complex
5 September 2015 Semi Final St. Lawrence 2 – 0 (a.e.t.) Mount Pearl Mount Pearl
16:00 NDT UTC−2.5 Gregory   98', 102' Report Stadium: Gushue Complex
6 September 2015 Final Holy Cross 2 – 0 St. Lawrence Mount Pearl
15:30 NDT UTC−2.5 Warren   5'
Williams  
Report Stadium: Gushue Complex

2014

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Holy Cross (Q) 18 12 3 3 37 19 +18 39 2014 NLCC Playoff Final
2 St. Lawrence Laurentians (Q) 18 7 4 7 25 24 +1 25 2014 NLCC Playoff Semi Final
3 Mount Pearl (Q) 18 6 2 10 19 33 −14 20
4 Feildians 18 5 3 10 24 29 −5 18
Updated to match(es) played on August 17, 2014. Source: NLSA
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) penalty kick competition
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Playoffs

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29 August 2014 Semi Final St. Lawrence 3 – 1 Mount Pearl St. John's
Slaney   12', 58'
Mullett   13'
Report Pickford   15' Stadium: King George V Park
31 August 2014 Final Holy Cross 2 – 0 St. Lawrence St. John's
14:30 NST UTC−3.5 Breen   78'
Yetman   88'
Report Stadium: King George V Park
Attendance: 1,800

2013

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Holy Cross (Q) 27 19 5 3 94 26 +68 62 2013 NLCC Playoffs
2 St. Lawrence Laurentians (Q) 27 15 7 5 66 22 +44 52
3 Mount Pearl (Q) 27 12 4 11 35 38 −3 40
4 Feildians (Q) 27 10 9 8 35 29 +6 39
5 Conception Bay Strikers 27 1 1 25 7 107 −100 4
6 NL Canada Games Team[a] 15 5 0 10 16 31 −15 15
Updated to match(es) played on August 21, 2013. Source: NLSA
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) penalty kick competition
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
  1. ^ Playing on an exhibition basis only, however points earned against them still count towards the standings

Playoffs

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31 August 2013 Semi Final Holy Cross 0 – 1 Feildians St. Lawrence
13:00 NST UTC−3.5 Report Connolly   25' Stadium: Centennial Field
31 August 2013 Semi Final St. Lawrence 4 – 2 Mount Pearl St. Lawrence
16:00 NST UTC−3.5 Slaney  
Norman  
Edwards 
Drew  
Report Hamlyn  
Pickford  
Stadium: Centennial Field
1 September 2013 Final St. Lawrence 2 – 0 Feildians St. Lawrence
15:00 NST UTC−3.5 Drew   60', 74' Report Stadium: Centennial Field
Attendance: 1,000

2012

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Holy Cross (Q) 19 16 1 2 80 15 +65 49 2012 NLCC Playoffs
2 St. Lawrence Laurentians (Q) 19 11 2 6 55 29 +26 35
3 Feildians (Q) 19 9 3 7 30 28 +2 30
4 Mount Pearl (Q) 19 7 5 7 33 21 +12 26
5 Conception Bay Strikers 19 5 3 11 28 61 −33 18
6 St. John's U-18s[a] 15 0 0 15 6 78 −72 0
Updated to match(es) played on August 19, 2012. Source: NLSA
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) penalty kick competition
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
  1. ^ Playing on an exhibition basis only, however points earned against them still count towards the standings

Playoffs

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31 August 2012 Semi Final Holy Cross 4 – 0 Mount Pearl Mount Pearl
18:30 NST UTC−3.5 Hawco  
DeLong  
Warren  
Wade  
Stadium: Gushue Complex
31 August 2012 Semi Final St. Lawrence 1 – 2 Feildians Mount Pearl
20:30 NST UTC−3.5 Slaney   23' Mandville   40' (pen.)
Hynes   70'
Stadium: Gushue Complex
2 September 2012 Final Holy Cross 2 - 0 Feildians Mount Pearl
: NST UTC−3.5 Reddick   27'
Wade   70'
Stadium: Gushue Complex

2011

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Holy Cross (Q) 20 18 1 1 76 9 +67 55 2011 NLCC Playoffs
2 Mount Pearl (Q) 20 13 3 4 49 17 +32 42
3 St. Lawrence Laurentians (Q) 20 9 2 9 27 30 −3 29
4 Feildians (Q) 20 7 2 11 19 35 −16 23
5 Conception Bay Strikers 20 6 4 10 29 33 −4 22
6 St. John's U-18s[a] 20 0 2 18 7 83 −76 2
Updated to match(es) played on August 24, 2011. Source: NLSA
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) penalty kick competition
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
  1. ^ Playing on an exhibition basis only, however points earned against them still count towards the standings

Playoffs

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2 September 2011 Semi Final Holy Cross 1 – 0 Feildians St. John's
18:30 NST UTC−3.5 Hawco   79' Stadium: King George V Park
2 September 2011 Semi Final Mount Pearl 3 – 1 (a.e.t.) St. Lawrence St. John's
20:30 NST UTC−3.5 Pickford   13', 109'
Oram   107'
Edwards   75' Stadium: King George V Park
4 September 2011 Final Holy Cross 1 – 1 (a.e.t.)
(4 – 3 p)
Mount Pearl St. John's
15:00 NST UTC−3.5 Yetman   107' Manning   92' Stadium: King George V Park

2010

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Holy Cross (Q) 23 17 5 1 67 16 +51 56 2010 NLCC Playoffs
2 Mount Pearl (Q) 23 15 6 2 53 14 +39 51
3 St. Lawrence Laurentians (Q) 23 15 4 4 62 19 +43 49
4 Feildians (Q) 23 8 3 12 44 48 −4 27
5 Conception Bay Strikers 23 4 3 16 20 63 −43 15
6 Western United 23 3 1 19 20 76 −56 10
7 St. John's U-18s[a] 18 4 2 12 25 55 −30 14
Updated to match(es) played on August 29, 2010. Source: NLSA
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) penalty kick competition
(Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
  1. ^ Playing on an exhibition basis only, however points earned against them still count towards the standings

Playoffs

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3 September 2010 Quarter Final 1 Holy Cross 1 – 0 Mount Pearl St. Lawrence
Hawco   63' Stadium: Centennial Field
3 September 2010 Quarter Final 2 St. Lawrence 7 – 1 Feildians St. Lawrence
Caines   x2'
Edwards  
Grant  
Slaney  
Turpin  
Howlett  
Hynes   Stadium: Centennial Field
4 September 2010 Semi Final St. Lawrence 1 – 1 (a.e.t.)
(Mount Pearl win on p)
Mount Pearl St. Lawrence
Kelly   92' McLeod   112' Stadium: Centennial Field
5 September 2010 Final Holy Cross 3 – 1 Mount Pearl St. Lawrence
Anstey  
Breen  
Wade  
McLeod   Stadium: Centennial Field

2004

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In 2004 Marystown United were the Newfoundland and Labrador Challenge Cup Champions,.[6] They went on to play in the 2004 Canadian National Challenge Cup finishing 8th.[7][8][9]

1999

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In 1999, Marystown United lost the Newfoundland and Labrador Challenge Cup 2-1 to St. Lawrence Laurentians.[10]

Canadian Challenge Trophy

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This is a list of Newfoundland clubs who have reached the finals at the annual Canadian Challenge Trophy tournament, which features the best senior men's amateur clubs from each province in Canada. Holy Cross FC are currently the only Newfoundland club to ever become national champions.[11]

As of 24 July 2012.
Club Nationals wins Runner-up Years
Holy Cross 1 1 1988, 1989,
St. Lawrence 0 3 1975, 1977, 2002

Bold indicates a current Challenge Cup team
Italics indicate a runner-up finish

References

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  1. ^ "History- Senior Champions"". Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  2. ^ "Feildians appear up for the Challenge (Cup) as playoff tournament begins in St. John's". The Telegram. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  3. ^ "NLSA- "Rules for Challenge Cup & Jubilee Trophy Leagues"". Retrieved 2015-08-24.
  4. ^ "Canada Soccer 2022 Yearbook of Champions, Records & Results"". 17 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  5. ^ "NLSA- "Challenge Cup Archives"" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-30. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
  6. ^ http://www.laurentianshomepage.com/CC2004.html Challenge Cup Soccer Championship Tournament 2004
  7. ^ "Marystown places eighth". The Telegram. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. 12 October 2004. pp. C5. ProQuest 344377835.
  8. ^ "Canadian Club Nationals". The StarPhoenix. Saskatoon. 12 October 2004. pp. C4. ProQuest 348784532.
  9. ^ Murray, Nick (6 October 2004). "Canada's ten best men's amateur soccer clubs to battle for Challenge Cup". Journal Pioneer. Summerside, Prince Edward Island. p. 9. ProQuest 362198771.
  10. ^ "Seven teams off to nationals". The Telegram. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. 6 October 1999. p. 25. ProQuest 344227491.
  11. ^ "Canada - Canadian National Challenge Cup".
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