Held last month at the James Hardie Centre of Excellence in Parramatta, the inaugural Australian Oztag All Schools Invitational Championships signalled a major step forward for school-level Oztag. The event brought together high-calibre male and female athletes from across New South Wales for a day of elite competition and school pride.
Talent on Display
From the opening whistle, the level of competition reflected the calibre of athletes selected. Players representing their schools, many of whom have worn the Australian Schoolboys jersey or hold current NRL and NRLW contracts, demonstrated why this invitational is poised to become the pinnacle of school Oztag competition.
Felipe Fakauho and Dwayne Jennings, 2025 Australian Schoolboy teammates.
Schools represented included:
Boys:
Illawarra Sports High School
Central Coast Sports College
Westfields Sports High School
All Saints College Maitland
Patrician Brothers Blacktown
Matraville Sports High School
Cronulla High School
The Hills Sports High School
Girls:
St Catherines School
Illawarra Sports High School
Central Coast Sports College
Westfields Sports High School
All Saints College Maitland
Matraville Sports High School
The Hills Sports High School
Cronulla High School
The depth of talent on display was remarkable, with numerous players already representing Australian Schoolboys or holding NRL and NRLW development and playing contracts. This elite concentration of skill reinforces the prestigious nature of the Australian Oztag All Schools Invitational, setting it apart as one of the most competitive and respected youth tournaments in the country.
Standout players included (brackets denote NRL or NRLW contracts and/or representative level):
- Westfields Sports High School: Liam Martin (Parramatta), Jerome Cosgrove (Wests), Sala Tamati (Parramatta), Iszak Isdale (Wests), Hayden Bell (Parramatta), Lenny Satler (Parramatta)
- All Saints College Maitland: Riley Rostrom (Knights), Chase Butler (Knights), Charlie Jones (Dragons), Benji Thompson (Knights), Xavier Atkinson (Knights), Cody Field (Dragons), Rico Elers (Knights)
- Central Coast Sports College: Dwayne Jennings (Souths, Australian Schoolboys), Carter Mareko (Roosters, NSW U17s), Sienna Thomas (Roosters)
- Illawarra Sports High School: Api Amone (Dragons), Noah Fitzgerald (Dragons), Mason Andrews (Dragons, NSW U17s), Mace Schofield (Panthers), Hunter Fangupo (Dragons), Seluki Halangahu (Dragons), Ella Churchill (Dragons)
- Matraville Sports High School: Tristan Ross (Roosters), Ravai Tulevu (Roosters), Felipe Fakauho (Roosters, Australian Schoolboys)
- Patrician Brothers Blacktown: Amos Viiga (Penrith), Charlie Xuereb (Penrith), Steven Whalan (Penrith), Cobi McCloskey (Parramatta), Caleb Zarah (Roosters), Bailey Louge (Raiders)
Patrician Brothers Blacktown and Illawarra Sports High representatives.
Championship Results
The Inaugural Australian Oztag All Schools Invitational Championships concluded with thrilling grand finals that reflected the quality and competitiveness of the event.
Girls Opens
Champs: Westfields Sports High School
Runners Up: Central Coast Sports College
In an incredible finish, the Girls Final went into extra time, with Westfields Sports High edging out Central Coast Sports College in a golden-point victory to claim the inaugural title.
Boys Opens
Champs: Illawarra Sports High School
Runners Up: Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown
The Boys Final was a high-intensity contest, with Illawarra Sports High securing a 6–2 win over Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown, showcasing their class and composure across the park.
Building the Future of School Oztag
The success of this tournament reinforces the vision behind the Australian Oztag All Schools Invitational Championship, to create an elite pathway for student-athletes and establish a platform where the best schools from across Australia and New Zealand can compete annually.
In 2026, invitations will be extended to leading Queensland schools, following the success of the Queensland Oztag All Schools competition, as well as to the New Zealand School Champions and other invited international schools.
The future of the Australian Oztag All Schools Invitational Championships will see the event evolve into the premier test of school-level Oztag excellence, bringing together elite programs and the most talented young players across the region.
Looking Ahead
Several leading education institutions such as Newington College, St Joseph’s College (Joeys) and others opted not to participate in this year and missed a prime opportunity to test their sporting credentials on a level playing field. Organisers are confident of their involvement in future Championships which will further elevate the competition’s prestige as international schools are invited to play.
In many ways, this event presents a rare and exciting opportunity, a stage where the powerhouse rugby league schools can finally go head-to-head with the elite rugby union programs. The Australian Oztag All Schools Invitational has the potential to answer the age-old question of who truly are the best student athletes in the country, a challenge that will only intensify as more schools take part in years to come.
“This event is about bringing the best together, school pride, elite talent, and the next generation of Oztag players,” said Luke Manahan, Chief Operating Officer of Australian Oztag. “We’ve seen what’s possible when some of the most talented young athletes in Australia take the field. Chris Cowan, Mark Andrews and I are committed to building this tournament into the benchmark for school Oztag.”
A Milestone Moment
Chris Cowan CEO of Australian Oztag and Chairman of the International Tag Federation noted that “the inaugural Australian Oztag All Schools Invitational Championships has laid the groundwork for what will become one of the most anticipated events on the Oztag calendar. With elite schools, representative players, and top-tier facilities, this event represents the future of school Oztag and the opportunity of schools to compete on an international stage.”
Continued Growth in the Sport of Oztag
Female participation now accounts for approximately 40% of all Oztag players across Australia, contributing to a record-breaking 230,000 participants nationwide in 2025.
This continued growth is reinforced by athletes such as Sienna Thomas, who was also a finalist for NSW Oztag’s Female Rising Star of the Year, and Ella Churchill, both of whom embody the high standard of skill and dedication now emerging through school-level competition.
Ella Churchill and Sienna Thomas contracted NRLW players.
Events like the Australian Oztag All Schools Invitational not only highlight the depth of talent among both male and female athletes but also strengthen Oztag’s pathway from grassroots to elite representation. Australian Oztag looks forward to seeing this tournament continue to drive participation and growth, not only across Australia but internationally, as more schools and nations join in the years ahead.