The season followed the same format as 2009, with a qualification series in the first half of the year giving sixteen teams the opportunity to enter the Fox Memorial competition.
The Manukau Magpies were the 2009 champions, but in 2010 they were promoted into the Fox Memorial Qualifying series at the expense of the Hibiscus Coast Raiders.
After finishing last in 2009 the Point Chevalier Pirates received the help of old boys Awen Guttenbeil and Stacey Jones who were able to attract some high-profile players to the club such as Wairangi Koopu, Monty Betham and Karl Te Nana.
[2][3] They went on to win the minor premiership in their 90th season, losing only two games in the round robin, before beating the Otara Scorpions 37–12 in the grand final.
Round One began with the Otahuhu Leopards and Northcote Tigers playing off for the Stormont Shield and Roope Rooster Challenge Trophy.