by benj | Oct 16, 2025 | Latest News
The 2025 Junior Australian Championships are set to kick off this weekend, running from November 17–19 at the home of Oztag, C.ex International Stadium in Coffs Harbour. With over 220 teams and more than 3,500 players from across NSW, QLD, and the ACT, the stage is set for another massive weekend of junior Oztag.
From the moment teams arrive, they’ll be met with excitement and energy that only Junior Nationals can deliver. Players, families, and supporters will line the fields, creating a festival-like environment as teams chase national glory across three big days of competition.
Friday and Saturday will see pool games in full swing before finals kick off on Sunday, with matches on Field 2 to be streamed live on Kayo Freebies.
There’s plenty of talent to keep an eye on:
- U16s Boys Storm are hunting a three-peat after back-to-back titles, but Wolverines will be looking to turn the tables after narrowly going down 4–3 in last year’s final.
- U15s Girls Orcas remain a team to watch, having not lost an Australian Championships since their Under 11s debut in 2021.
This year, several teams from the Tiger Cubs will wear rainbow laces in support of The Steele Foundation and DonateLife, highlighting the importance of organ donation awareness. Keep an eye out for these teams throughout the weekend as they play for more than just the scoreboard.
There’s added significance this year, with performances being closely watched by Tagaroos selectors. Standout players will have the chance to earn selection in the Under 16s and Under 18s Tagaroos squads, set to compete at the ITF 5th Tag World Cup in October next year.
Official Oztag supplier OES will be based at the southern end of the stadium with tournament merchandise, while ibimages will be on site for team photos and action shots. Players and teams can book directly through their page.
A special thanks to nib and GSA for their continued support of Australian Oztag and grassroots sport nationwide.
Follow Australian Oztag on social media for live updates, highlight reels, and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the weekend. All live scores will be available on Assemble, with the latest content shared across our platforms.
It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend of Oztag at Coffs Harbour, where new champions will rise, memories will be made, and the future stars of our sport will take centre stage.
by benj | Oct 15, 2025 | Latest News
Australian Oztag is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment across Junior and Senior Nationals.
We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, abuse, and violence directed at players, referees, officials, or spectators.
Any individual found engaging in abusive or violent behaviour may face immediate removal from the venue and further disciplinary action, including suspension from future events.
To support this initiative:
- Clear Respect signage will appear at all tournaments and association venues.
- Tournament agreements will reinforce our no-abuse, no-violence standard.
- A new complaints form will be made available for reporting incidents directly to tournament management.
This initiative aims to create a safe and enjoyable environment for players, referees, coaches, and spectators, promoting positive behavior both on and off the field. Abuse of any kind, verbal, physical, or online has no place in our sport.
We call on everyone in the Oztag community to play fair, show respect, and support each other, ensuring our game remains fun and welcoming for all.
Respect the Game. Respect Everyone.
by benj | Oct 14, 2025 | Latest News
Australian Oztag is now accepting applications for the Tagaroos Men’s 35s Head Coach ahead of the 2026 Tag World Cup.
Applicants must hold a Level 2 Coaching Accreditation, possess representative coaching experience at State or National level, and demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and player development skills. The successful candidate will work under the direction of the National Director of Coaching and Development, helping prepare Australia’s Men’s 35s to compete on the international stage.
All applications, including resumes and references, must be submitted by Friday, 24 October 2025.
For full selection criteria and application details, please click here.
by benj | Aug 13, 2025 | Latest News
From August 7th to 10th, the C.ex International Stadium in Coffs Harbour played host to the International Tag Series 2025, bringing together over 30 nations in a vibrant celebration of heritage, pride, and elite tag competition. Despite some inconsistent weather, nothing could dampen the energy or the camaraderie that defined the weekend.
A Tournament Like No Other
The ITS serves as a unique platform for players to represent their heritage, blending sport with cultural pride. This year, the tournament doubled as a critical development event for emerging nations ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with no senior Tagaroo teams competing due to the earlier Trans Tasman competition. Junior Tagaroos featured in the boys and girls 16s and 18s divisions, getting their first taste of international competition and setting the stage for future glory.
Opening Ceremony Ignites the Crowd
The opening ceremony was a standout moment. A powerful showcase of heritage pride as each team marched onto the field, waving their flags with honour. The war cries and hakas from Samoa and Niue stirred the crowd, while the fierce face-off between Indigenous Australia and the New Zealand Stingrays gave goosebumps, setting the tone for an unforgettable tournament kickoff.
Fierce Competition and Memorable Matches
Competition over the weekend was fierce across multiple divisions. The Stingrays Men’s 20s and Mixed Seniors both captured titles in memorable fashion. Led by Tawana, the husband of the late Mele whose name was worn close to their hearts, the Stingrays fought with passion and heart. Tawana coached the Men’s 20s to victory and also played a pivotal role on the field securing the Mixed Seniors crown.
One of the tournament’s most thrilling moments came in the Mixed 20s Grand Final, where Samoa Australia clinched the win in the dying moments thanks to Karnye Thompson’s dramatic corner try. The Irish Exiles came into the tournament without a tournament win and ended up leaving with 3 medals across the Women’s 20s, Men’s 50s and their most dominat team Mixed Open’s. Their Mixed Opens team arguably one of the best teams all tournament emphasised by their convincing win over the Indigenous Australia side.
The China Women’s Opens made a strong statement as a dark horse heading into the World Cup, finishing undefeated and knocking off powerhouse teams including Australia Indigenous, Vietnam, and the Great Britain Exiles in the finals.
Great Britain emerged as the overall nations champions, a testament to their dominance as they featured heavily in finals across divisions.
Division Winners
- Boys 16s: Australia
- Boys 18s: Australia
- Men’s 20s: New Zealand
- Men’s Opens: Indigenous Australia
- Men’s 30s: Indigenous Australia
- Men’s 35s: Great Britain
- Men’s 40s: Samoa Australia
- Men’s 50s: Irish Exiles
- Men’s 60s: Barbarians
- Girls 16s: Australia
- Girls 18s: Australia
- Women’s 20s: Irish Exiles
- Women’s Open: China
- Women’s 27s: Great Britain
- Women’s 37s: Indigenous Australia
- Women’s 47s: Queensland Orchids
- Mixed 20s: Samoa Australia
- Mixed Opens: Irish Exiles
- Mixed Seniors: New Zealand
Beyond the Field: Cultural Exchange and Legacy
The tournament was as much about cultural exchange as competition, with teams sharing traditions, war cries, and stories that enrich the ITS experience. The event attracted strong media coverage including NBN News and 7 Coast, amplifying the reach of this growing international event:
Looking forward, the ITS continues to be a vital stepping stone toward the 2026 Tag World Cup, helping emerging nations gain invaluable international experience and grow the sport worldwide.
Thank You
A huge thanks to all the teams, volunteers, officials, and partners who made the International Tag Series 2025 a success. Together, you’re building more than a tournament, you’re growing a global community united by heritage and the love of tag. If you are still missing the action, recap the tournament with all the photos here.
by benj | Aug 3, 2025 | Latest News
At every International Tag Event, we see moments of brilliance on the field. Tries, dives, and unforgettable plays, but it’s what happens off the field that often leaves the deepest impression.
This past weekend, the New Zealand Stingrays reminded us that ITS is more than just a tournament. It’s a place where connection, culture, and community shine through. A moment that captured this came when the NZ contingent unveiled a special jersey in honour of Mele Ta’ufo’ou Rhind a beloved member of the Stingrays whānau who sadly passed away earlier this year, in April.
The tribute was a surprise for her husband Tawana (Tee), the Stingrays’ Vice President, long-time Men’s 21s coach, and a cornerstone of the contingent. Unbeknownst to him, the team had been working behind the scenes to design a jersey that would carry Mele’s memory onto the field. At the heart of the design is a yellow heart, Mele’s favourite colour with her name at its centre. Her son William who will be lining up for the Men’s 21s side will also proudly rep the jersey, carrying not only his teams legacy but the memory of his mother into every match. William, Tee and the entire Stingrays club will now wear her over their hearts for the tournament.
Mele’s impact on the Stingrays cannot be overstated. She and Tawana ran TnM Sportswear, which has produced the Stingrays’ playing and supporter gear for the past two years. Beyond her work off the field, Mele was hands-on in the Stingrays program, serving as team manager for the Men’s 21s in 2024. Her steady presence and behind-the-scenes work supported not just Tawana, but dozens of players and staff who relied on her commitment and care.
The jersey tribute also features a whakataukī, a traditional Māori proverb, which has become a guiding message for the Stingrays:
I te pōuri o te pō
E pīata ana ngā whetū
Ko koe tērā
Tō mātou ipo
Kua rere ki runga 🕊️
Translation:
In the gloom of the night,
The stars shining,
We see you our beloved,
Who’ve flown to the heavens.
Lining the top V of the jersey, these words offer a powerful reminder that even in grief, we carry our loved ones with us. For the Stingrays, this jersey is more than a uniform, it’s a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and unity. It speaks to the idea that even in the darkest moments, our connections endure. We see our loved ones in the stars, in the game, and in each other.
“He Waka Eke Noa” a waka we are all in together, is another whakataukī that sits at the core of the Stingrays’ identity. It reminds us that the strength of this contingent lies in its togetherness. For the Stingrays, ITS is not just about competition, but about carrying culture, community, and loved ones.
As the tournament continues, the Stingrays will play with Mele close to their hearts. Her presence will be felt not just in yellow threads or poetic lines, but in every moment of pride, joy, and connection that defines this game.
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