Sydney and Brisbane clubs have been encouraged to consider scheduling more first grade matches on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons to accommodate the plans of Stan Sport to broadcast every club rugby game.

The Australian Club Championship clash between reigning Shute Shield premiers Gordon and Brisbane champions Easts on Saturday will be Stan Sport’s first foray into club rugby.

Stan and Nine, the owner of this masthead, have broadcast rights to the Sydney and Brisbane competitions; the Shute Shield and Hospital Challenge Cup, which both kick off on April 10.

Four regular season matches in both competitions throughout the year will be shown on free-to-air channel 9Gem, plus all finals matches. All other fixtures will be shown on Stan, with all matches each weekend – six in Sydney and four in Brisbane – live and on-demand.

Traditionally most club games on Saturday afternoons at 3pm, but clubs from Brisbane and Sydney are being encouraged to have greater flexibility around matches. While schedules are yet to be finalised, Shute Shield and Hospital Cup clubs are planning to shift more games to Friday night and Sunday afternoon to maximise exposure.

The hope is that some club matches can feature in the lead-up to coverage of home Test matches.

The Shute Shield will feature 13 teams once again this year after the Hunter Wildfires joined the competition as cover last year in case teams couldn’t field sides due to COVID-19. The Wildfires won two of their 12 matches.

This season will revert to its normal length, with 21 rounds and a grand final on September 11.

Gordon, who beat Eastwood in last year’s final, face Manly in round one, while in Brisbane’s nine-team competition, reigning premiers Easts square off against Sunnybank.