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 47 Cups out of the 55 times that it has been contested.[2]
| Founded | 1950[1] |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Number of teams | 7 (from 2016) |
| Domestic cup(s) | Challenge Trophy |
| Current champions | Feildians AA St. John's (2023) |
| Most championships | St. Lawrence (29 titles) |
| Website | nlsa |
Competition format
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]
Titles
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 | 22 | 1950, 1973, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 |
| 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
2017
Standings
| 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 |
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:
2016
Standings
| 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 |
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:
Playoffs
| 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
Standings
| 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 |
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
| 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
Standings
| 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 |
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
| 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
Standings
| 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 |
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:
Playoffs
| 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
Standings
| 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 |
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:
Playoffs
| 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
Standings
| 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 |
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:
Playoffs
| 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
Standings
| 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 |
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:
Playoffs
| 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
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
In 1999, Marystown United lost the Newfoundland and Labrador Challenge Cup 2-1 to St. Lawrence Laurentians.[10]
Canadian Challenge Trophy
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