Minor premiership
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A minor premiership is the name of the title given to the team which finishes s sporting competition first in the league standings after the regular season but prior to commencement of the playoffs. The team which wins the competition overall is awarded the premiership. The term is often used in Australia where the National Rugby League gives an award, the J. J. Giltinan Shield, to each season's minor premiers. The Australian Ice Hockey League awards the V.I.P. Cup to the minor premiers after its regular season and the Australian Football League awards the Dr Wm. C. McClelland Trophy. The National Basketball League recognises the minor premiers but no official trophy or award is given.
In North America, the Presidents' Trophy is given out by the National Hockey League to the team which finishes first in the standings at the end of the season, as is the Supporters' Shield in Major League Soccer; however, the term "minor premiership" is not used in the USA or Canada.
Although often referred to as the minor premiers, the team on top of the table at the end of the A-League season is officially the A-League Premiers, receiving the Premiership Trophy and a berth in the AFC Champions League. Like the A-League the Supporters' Shield winner in Major League Soccer (or the highest ranking American club) earns a direct birth into the CONCACAF Champions League.
Rugby League
The minor premiers in the National Youth Competition win the Jersey Flegg Cup.
See also
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