Each year at the conclusion of the Vodafone Vanua Championships, Fiji Rugby’s second tier provincial competition, the top four teams enter into the Bainimarama Shield Challenge.

The reigning champion from the Vanua Championship then determines the order of which they challenge the top three other teams.

In 2019 the Bainimarama Shield was fiercely contested in front of record breaking crowds with Yasawa taking on Nanukuloa, Ovalau and eventually Lautoka.   The Marlins held onto the shield until the dying minutes of the final match against Lautoka, with the Maroons stealing the victory and the shield in front of a record breaking crowd at Prince Charles Park, Nadi.

HFC Bank were formally major sponsors of the tournament however the shield is open for partnership with HFC stepping down in 2019.