The SportUNE Oztag competition kicked off in Armidale last week, a new and exciting opportunity to promote the wellbeing of the University and the regional community.
Staff from Sport University of New England (SportUNE), reached out to the team at Australian Oztag (AO), eager to start up a local competition at the University’s campus in Armidale – a city in the Northern Tablelands region of New South Wales.
After much planning, the region’s first Oztag competition kicked off last Monday night, 19 July 2021, which saw ten teams compete in the Mixed division.
SportUNE Oztag Competition Coordinator, Justin Shaw deemed the opening night of competition a great success, anticipating more fast-paced, high-scoring games ahead of week two.
“We wanted this season to be a fun introduction to the game of Oztag and round one did not disappoint… despite the 3-degree weather we still ran all games, and everyone had a blast,” Shaw said.
“There were some really high-quality skills on display… I think by the end of the season, all the teams will be well versed in these skills, which will make for a tight and entertaining finals series,” he said.
SportUNE Oztag first night of competition. Photo Credit: SportUNE
Shaw said the community response has been fantastic since the competition’s inception.
“We really didn’t expect to get as many teams as we have, particularly in the Armidale’s Winter, so we’re stoked,” Shaw said.
“We couldn’t be more grateful to the players and community for their support in our first season; it drives us to make the competition better every week,” he said.
Shaw said he reached out to AO to discuss the potential of an Oztag competition in Armidale after witnessing the success of Tamworth Oztag over the past few years.
“We believe Armidale has fantastic potential to act as a middle ground between Tamworth and the coastal clubs like Coffs Harbour,” Shaw said.
“Luke Manahan has been such a fantastic help; Garry Semms has gone above and beyond to help train our referees and staff to ensure we’re prepared for a great competition,”
AO staff, Liam Haddock and Luke Manahan visit SportUNE Oztag prior to competition. Pictured with Coordinator, Justin Shaw.
“Pam Potts from Tamworth Oztag has also been a guiding presence and really helped out with firsthand advice on starting and running the comp,” he said.
SportUNE has always strived to deliver high quality competitions across a variety of sports, and it is believed that Oztag pairs really well with their criteria.
“One of our goals is to add value to the educational experience of students through the development of ‘life skills’ via Club and Committee involvement, and participation in sports administration, coaching, refereeing, and other accreditation courses,” Shaw said.
“Oztag fits in very well with this, especially when it ties in training for referees, and educational days with amazing athletes,” he said.
Shaw has big hopes for the future of SportUNE Oztag, the main being to introduce more divisions to the competition in 2022, including Men’s, Women’s, Mixed, and possibly a Kid’s division.
“Hopefully when the current COVID-19 situation is under control, we will have a strong competition and player base to interact with other Oztag organisations,” Shaw said.
“Perhaps we could collaborate with Tamworth and Coffs Harbour Oztag, for some bigger and bolder events,”
“These things will be in our sights, but for now, we want to focus on delivering a high-quality competition, to make sure we have the right foundations,” he said.
Although registrations for the current season are now closed, Shaw encourages the Armidale community to follow the SportUNE Oztag journey online and prepare for the next season by rallying friends, family colleagues or classmates.
The 2021 NSW Secondary School Regionals set the bar high for this year’s Champion of Champions, which has been announced postponed due to NSW Health regulations.
From March to June, NSW Oztag ran tournaments in ten regions across the state, allowing Secondary Schools the opportunity to compete for their regional title and secure an invitation to the prestigious Champion of Champions.
2021 marks the fourth year of Champion of Champions – an event that will see 115 of the best Secondary School teams play off over two days for the All-Schools State title.
The event was set to be held on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 July, 2021 at the Kingsway Playing Fields, Werrington.
However, due to the extension of the NSW Government Stay at Home Order across Greater Sydney, including Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour, the tournament has been postponed.
NSW Oztag are currently rescheduling the 2021 Champion of Champions to a date later in the year.
Tournament Coordinator, Jordan Hollis said that the date will likely be in Term Four, with the intention to work around the High School Certificate.
“It’s unfortunate that we are unable to run our biggest school competition in these current times, but it gives us something to still look forward to later in the year,” he said.
“The new date and venue will be confirmed once we gain more clarity on School Sport protocol,”
“The rescheduled event will remain a two-day tournament; teams will still play 6 round games, followed by qualifying Finals,” Hollis said.
Selectors will be present over the two days of competition and will name six NSW teams to verse ACT in a first of its kind inter-state School Championships.
Hollis said that as the game continues to filter through schools, the competition broadens and with that comes a greater standard of Oztag.
“With region sizes growing and new regions wanting to compete, I think this year’s Champion of Champions will be of the highest quality we’ve seen in schools to date,” Hollis said.
Hollis is delighted with the growth of the event and the opportunity it presents to Oztag’s rising stars in a school environment.
“Our first Champion of Champions event in 2017 saw 47 teams from across the state compete, this year we have 115,” Hollis said.
“Oztag is so popular among teens, so it’s great that high schools are giving students the opportunity to showcase their talent and receive recognition for it,” he said.
Champion of Champions invitations were extended to all regional Grand Finalists; both winners and runners up from the six divisions – Boys Year 7/8, Boys Year 9/10, Boys Year 11/12, as well as Girls Year 7/8, Girls Year 9/10 and Girls Year 11/12.
Secondary School Regional tournaments were held at the following ten regions:
The NSW Government have announced the extension of the current Public Health Order until 11:59pm Friday 16 July, 2021.
Following updated health advice, the NSW Government Stay at Home Order across Greater Sydney including Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour has been extended another week, until 11:59pm on Friday 16 July.
While such restrictions are in place, community sport (training or a match) cannot proceed in these areas. Head to Sport NSW for more information.
The return to community sport across Greater Sydney including Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour Local Government Areas (LGAs) will be subject to NSW Health advice.
The current restrictions in place across the remainder of NSW have also been extended until this time (11:59pm Friday 16 July). NSW Health detail what you can do in rural and regional NSW.
NSW Oztag are pleased that competitions outside the lockdown areas are able to continue play, however their Covid Safety Plan must be updated and enforced to adhere to current restrictions.
Any player residing or working in the lockdown areas must not attend ANY competition still running outside the lockdown areas.
Any player feeling unwell is encouraged to not attend their local competition during this time.
Associations across Greater Sydney including Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour have been advised to update their Covid Safety Plans and ensure they are ready for immediate use when community sport returns in these LGAs..
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your association directly.
NSW Oztag will continue to monitor the NSW Health regulations in conjunction with Sport NSW and will keep the Oztag community updated as necessary.
Australian Oztag is proud to announce the players selected for the 2021 High Performance Academy, a prestigious opportunity that see’s the development of Oztag’s rising stars.
Players were once again selected based on their performance at the City v Country tournament, which was held in Tuggerah on the Central Coast in June.
The High Performance Academy (HPA) identifies the game’s rising stars from the 14 and 15 year-old age groups, providing them the opportunity to be coached by some of Oztag’s elite coaches.
The following players will attend the HPA Camp which will take place at the NSW Academy of Sport in Narrabeen later this year.
The Academy is now in its third year and has seen some amazing results from the players who have attended, with many former HPA players selected to represent the Australian Tagaroos at the upcoming Trans–Tasman Tournament in New Zealand.
Australian Oztag Director of Coaching and Development, Michael Buettner believes the HPA is an opportunity for players to strengthen their game in a professional environment.
“There is no doubt the High-Performance Academy is a great springboard for the game’s emerging stars to take the next step towards representing their country in Oztag,” Buettner said.
“The NSW Academy of Sport at Narrabeen provides the perfect facility for the players and coaches to prosper in a High-Performance environment,” he said.
From outlining the specifics of player roles and positions, to maximizing athletic performance and partaking in a variety of skill and conditioning drills, the squad will be treated like elite athletes.
Oztag Founder, Perry Haddock has confidence in this year’s program and congratulates all players on their selection.
“This year will see some of Oztag’s great coaches at the High-Performance Academy work with the young stars of our game to nurture and develop their Oztag skills in addition to having lots of fun and building friendships that may last a lifetime,” Haddock said.
“Congratulations to each and every one of the players on their selection; we look forward to welcoming you to the High-Performance Academy later this year,” he said.
For a second year, Australian Oztag could not invite QLD players to the 2021 HPA Camp due to Covid-19. However, ACT’s players will be nominated by the association.
All players selected will receive full HPA kit allocation, accommodation and meals, covered by Australian Oztag for the duration of the camp.
AO congratulate all 40 players on their selection in the 2021 HPA squad.
In September 2021, the elite Oztag community will be welcomed to the beautiful Mudgee wine region to play off in an inaugural, two-day tournament – the Mixed Invitational Challenge.
The exciting new event is geared towards the best female and male players in the game, granting them the opportunity to come together and compete in a high-quality tournament on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 September, 2021 at Glen Willow Sporting Stadium, in Mudgee.
The Mixed Invitational Challenge will see 21 invited associations, based on senior competition size, enter teams in the Mixed Opens, Senior & Legends divisions.
Oztag Founder, Perry Haddock, introduced the Mixed Invitational Challenge as an opportunity for an association’s best players from the Men’s, Women’s and Mixed divisions to combine and form one elite team.
“It is a dedicated mixed tournament where players wouldn’t normally get to play with each other,” Haddock said.
“The level of competition will be extremely strong, so I’m looking forward to seeing the standard of Oztag it brings,” he said.
To hold the tournament in Mudgee came as an easy decision as it remains one of the greatest wine regions in NSW and offers high-class sporting facilities.
“It is an opportunity to not only showcase our sport in a popular country region, but support the town’s economy,” Haddock said.
“We are looking at making it a festive event with wine tasting and tours on Sunday,” he said.
Australian Oztag (AO) are humbled that the Mid-Western Regional Council have agreed to host the tournament, welcoming players and spectators to experience the culture of Mudgee and some of Australia’s oldest vineyards.
Mayor of Mid-Western Regional Council, Des Kennedy said there is so much to experience in the region from fine food and wine to boutique shopping, authentic growers markets and a brand new art gallery.
“I’d like to welcome the entire Mixed Invitational Challenge, its players and affiliates to Mudgee, and I hope you enjoy your time in our beautiful region,” Councillor Kennedy said.
“Glen Willow has been purpose-built to accommodate large-scale tournaments like the Invitational and I am delighted Oztag have selected it as the host venue for this fantastic event that will showcase some of the best players in the game,” he said.
AO General Manager, Bill Harrigan has anticipated the display of high-quality Oztag at the Mixed Invitational Challenge, eager to watch the game’s best compete.
“At tournaments we see some of our best players in the men’s & women’s divisions; Imagine when they come together and play with our best mixed players forming some incredibly strong teams,” Harrigan said.
“The skill, the ability – all in the backdrop of the beautiful Mudgee region, I can’t wait,” he said.
Tournament Overview:
Dates: Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th of September, 2021
*Maximum 14 teams in each division (two pools of seven)
*Associations can only enter ONE team in each division
Selection: Contact your association to confirm trial dates/selection process
Registration: $100 per player
Format: 6 round games + Quarter Final, Semi Final & Final
All Stars match Saturday Night
Eligibility:
All players must be over the age of 18 as of September 1st, 2021.
Each player can only play in one division
Players can only represent the association they are registered with locally; they must have played 7 games of the previous Summer 20/21 or Winter 2021 competitions.
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