Australian Oztag is pleased to announce a major restructure in our referee development program, a key pillar in maintaining Oztag’s position as the Number 1 tag sport in Australia and across the globe.
Referees are the backbone of our game, and ensuring we deliver world-class officiating at every level is central to the ongoing growth and success of our sport. With this in mind, Australian Oztag and the International Tag Federation (ITF) have been working hard to deliver targeted development programs both domestically and internationally.
Growing the Game Internationally
As showcased across our social media channels, recent months have seen Australian Oztag and the ITF running development clinics across the Pacific region. These clinics are part of a broader strategic plan to expand the number of Oztag-playing nations and strengthen the global footprint of the sport.
Development clinics have already been successfully hosted in Fiji and Japan, where local communities enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to learn and develop their officiating skills. This exciting program is only just beginning, 2025 will see further clinics scheduled in Samoa, Sri Lanka, India, and return visits to Fiji and Japan. These initiatives are crucial as we build toward the highly anticipated 2026 Tag World Cup. Stay tuned to our socials for more updates on these clinics.
New Leadership to Drive Referee Development
Australian Oztag is proud to announce that Ricky O’Connor has accepted the role of International Referee Development Officer for both Australian Oztag and the International Tag Federation for Australasia. Ricky’s wealth of experience and passion for referee education will be invaluable as he works to ensure that referees across emerging Pacific countries receive consistent training on the rules, interpretations, and standards of our game.
Ricky has already established strong ties with several Pacific nations and will continue to play a critical role in lifting the standard of officiating as the sport expands internationally.
Closer to home, Ray Dent has graciously accepted the invitation to step into the role of Australian Oztag’s Referee Director for Tournaments. Ray brings with him a proven track record of success from Queensland, where he introduced a number of initiatives that have been instrumental in referee development. His tournament experience, leadership, and vision for the future will be tremendous assets as Australian Oztag continues to enhance the referee pathway nationally. We warmly welcome Ray to this new role and look forward to seeing his impact across future events.
Supporting and Recognising Our Referees
Australian Oztag remains firmly committed to showcasing and rewarding the efforts of our referees. As part of this commitment, new rewards programs have been introduced to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and professionalism that our referees consistently bring to the game.
In addition, there will be increased opportunities for referees to be involved in international development work, including placements at clinics and tournaments in emerging Oztag nations. These opportunities not only offer invaluable experience but also highlight the critical role Australian referees are playing in shaping the future of the sport globally.
With these changes, Australian Oztag is taking bold steps to ensure our referees remain at the forefront of the game — both here at home and on the international stage. We are excited about the future and grateful to Ricky, Ray, and the entire referee community for their ongoing passion and dedication.
Stay tuned to our channels for more updates on referee development opportunities and international clinics as we head towards the massive ITF 5th World Cup!