As of 2022, both the Junior and Senior State Championship tournaments in Coffs Harbour will welcome division one teams only, with a separate division two development tournament to be held in Sydney.
Following months of revision, Australian Oztag (AO) have come to the conclusion that the NSW State Championships should return to a prestigious event between the best of the best.
As division two serves a purpose to develop associations and its players, AO General Manager, Bill Harrigan announces the inaugural NSW Club Challenge for all division two teams.
“Division two is a great concept, but its growth has overshadowed the division one entries. We need to restore the State Cup to being an elite competition featuring the best of the best,” Mr. Harrigan said.
“To ensure we don’t just disregard the division two teams, as it is a beneficial development platform, we have created the NSW Club Challenge which will feature the div two teams that would have previously competed in Coffs Harbour,” he said.
The 2022 NSW Junior State Championships which is set to be held from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 February, 2022, will now welcome division one teams only to Coffs Harbour.
The new tournament format allows all ages, from Under 9s through to Under 17s, to compete on the same weekend in Coffs Harbour – meaning there will no longer be an Under 9s-11s tournament held at Bass Hill, Sydney.
With four days of competition, the Under 9s – 12s will play on Thursday and Friday, followed by the Under 13s – 17s who will compete on Saturday and Sunday.
Just over a month later, the NSW Senior State Championships will take place in Coffs Harbour, from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 March, 2022, strictly division one teams also.
All Division Two teams will be welcomed to the NSW Club Challenge, kicking off on Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 February, 2022 at The Kingsway Playing Fields, St Marys in Sydney.
Held over four days, the tournament will see Junior teams (9’s-17’s) play on Thursday and Friday, and Seniors on Saturday and Sunday.
The 2021 NSW Senior State Championships has come to a successful conclusion after three days of high-quality Oztag on the Coffs Coast.
The annual tournament kicked off on Friday 14 May and welcomed a tremendous 219 teams to Coffs Harbour – well-prepared and determined to take out the Championship.
Segregated between two venues, C.ex Stadium and Geoff King Oval, over 3,500 players took to the field to lay their months of training on the line, unveiling a new level of brilliance.
The quality of Oztag heightens every year; evident in how close the qualifying games were. Spectators sat on the edge of their seat as many games had a one-point difference or came down to an exhilarating extra time drop off in Finals.
The standard is credit to the exhibition of speed and skill, and the game’s development as young players continue to filter through the system – their transition from Juniors, to Under 20s and then Opens over the years ensures the game’s flair continues to prosper.
Below are the 2021 NSW Senior State Cup Grand Final results. Congratulations to all teams on an exceptional display of talent, particularly the crowned Champions.
Women’s 20’s
Div 1 – Central Coast defeated Souths 5-2
Div 2 – Baulkham Hills defeated Port Macquarie 2-1
Women’s Opens
Div 1 – Penrith defeated Cronulla 3-2
Div 2 – Sydney City defeated Fairfield 2-1
Women’s 30’s
Ryde defeated ACT 2-0
Women’s 40’s
ACT defeated Cronulla 2-2
Mixed 20’s
Div 1 – Central Coast defeated Souths 8-3
Div 2 – Razorbacks defeated Penrith 7-2
Mixed Opens
Div 1 – Souths defeated St George 3-2
Div 2 – Sydney City defeated Norwest 4-2
Mixed Seniors
Penrith defeated Souths 4-3
Men’s 20s
Div 1 – Souths defeated Parramatta 4-3
Div 2 – Tamworth defeated Ryde 5-3
Men’s Opens
Div 1 – Homebush defeated Central Coast 2-1
Div 2 – Tamworth defeated Inner West 4-2
Men’s 30s
Div 1 – Penrith defeated Central Coast 5-2
Div 2 – Central Coast defeated Tamworth 3-2
Men’s 40s
Central Coast defeated Inner West 6-1
Men’s 45s
Wollongong defeated Central Coast 3-0
Men’s 50s
Cronulla defeated Central Coast 4-3
Men’s 55s
Cronulla defeated Kiama 3-1
Men’s 60s
Cronulla defeated Souths 1-0
For all tournament fixtures, results and final standings, visit the Sportfix app or click here.
Central Coast Oztag were once again crowned 2021 Senior State Cup Club Champions after finishing the tournament on a total of 73 points. Cronulla came in second on 54 and Souths closely trailed in third on 53.
Over the course of the weekend, players from each division were nominated for Senior City v Country teams to play on Saturday 9 October, 2021 in a three-game series.
The final teams will be announced in the coming weeks, once the selection process is complete.
Australian Oztag were very pleased with the running of the NSW Senior State Cup tournament and the persistence from all to comply with the protocols in place.
Senior City v Country will return in 2021, accompanied by a new format that will see the tournament played strictly between two regions – City and Country.
Selected from the 2021 NSW Senior State Cup in Coffs Harbour, set to kick off Friday 14 May, it is an opportunity for players to combine with their region’s best and play off in a high-calibre tournament.
A City and Country team will be selected in each division to play a three-game series on Saturday 9 October, 2021 on the NSW South Coast at Sid Parish Park, Figtree.
City teams will be a represented by associations in the Sydney basin from Hornsby in the North, to Penrith in the West, Campbelltown in the South and over to the East Coastline.
Any associations outside this border will represent Country.
Selection Process
The coach from the highest placed team will be offered the coaching role. The coach will then have the option to appoint an assistant coach & manager, either from their own team or another team within the region.
There can only be a maximum of three staff per team.
Players will be selected based on a scaling system of where their team placed at the conclusion of the tournament.
Coaches are required to submit a rating form, ranking the performance of their players at the tournament. Coaches should only rank players that they believe are capable of playing at the next level.
Coaches will be given the rating forms and will have the opportunity to submit their selected team to Australian Oztag (AO).
AO selectors will also nominate a team of which will be reviewed in conjunction with the submitted rating forms. These selectors will then agree on the final teams.
Two young Sydney City stars were the talk of the tournament after competing in the Boys Under 10’s division at the NSW Junior State Cup in February.
Nine-year-old talents, Kendall Kilby and Eleni Salabogi made the transition to play their first tournament in the Boys division at the 2021 Junior State Cup in Bass Hill.
These two players were turning heads at the tournament, impressing everyone who had the pleasure of watching them compete in what was a well-drilled and skilful Sydney City side.
Sydney City Under 10’s Boys Coach, Trent Miller, shared what fuelled his decision to bring these players across from the girls’ division to the boys.
“During my time coaching Rugby League, I have witnessed these girls perform at an incredibly high level predominately against boys over the years, knowing the level of talent they possess I felt they deserved the chance to showcase that on the Oztag field,” Miller said.
He discussed how proud he is of the confidence these girls display on and off the field and how their achievements at the tournament came as no shock to him.
“They took care of business as per usual, I don’t see two girls playing against boys, I just see them as two talented kids executing their roles on the field,” Miller said.
“But the recognition they received over the State Cup tournament, especially through live stream, made me an extremely proud coach, for them and their families,” he said.
Playing different positions, both Eleni and Kendall adopt separate roles when they take the field, but what remains consistent is their unwavering effort and ability to execute what is required of them.
“Eleni’s major role for our team was to play on an edge, she has blistering speed, she’s a great tagger and has amazing hands,” Miller said.
“Unlike many ten-year-olds, Eleni is extremely focused and can be trusted to follow a game plan – she is what you would call a coach’s dream,” he said.
Miller clarified that with vision unmatched, Kendall calmly, yet confidently directs her team around the field – making her one of the most dangerous ball players in their division.
“I’m comfortable in saying Kendall had the best left to right, right to left passing game in the tournament,” Miller said.
“Kendall also has a great show and go, with enough pace for her position. She works tirelessly and is a fearless defender,” he said.
There is no doubt that these girls add value to their team in terms of skill, but Miller made clear that their no-nonsense attitude, ability to adopt instructions, and lead by example is far more important to him as a coach.
“At the tender age of ten they are mentors to my younger daughter and her friends which makes me prouder than anything else,” he said.
The Sydney City Under 10s Boys were extremely competitive, evident in their ability to shift the ball at speed and play what’s in front of them.
The team headed into Finals with four wins and two losses under their belt, unfortunately falling short of the championship in a tight semi-final, going down 3-2 to Baulkham Hills.
Get to know the girls below.
KENDALL KILBY
Position: Middle/First receiver
Favourite thing about playing Oztag: It’s fast and it’s fun. I’ve made some good friends and I’m allowed to play with boys
Main focus heading onto the field: I want to play well. I think about making good tags and setting up tries
Favourite part of playing with and against boys: I really like playing with the boys. The plays are quicker, and it’s a bit rougher which I like. I need to push myself to be up to their standard and that helps me become better. When I play against the boys, I really have to focus. Some of them are really fast!
Other sports played: Touch, Soccer, and Rugby League.
Oztag goal: I’d love to win a Grand Final in the boys division. 😊
ELENI SALABOGI
Position: Wing and Link
Favourite thing about playing Oztag: Running and Tagging
Main focus heading onto the field: I have to play my best
Favourite part of playing with and against boys: The competition and it takes me out of my comfort zone
Other sports played: Rugby League, Rugby Union, Little Athletics
Oztag goal: To play Nationals at Coffs Harbour and to win a State Cup
Australian Oztag’s ever-popular Beach Tag returned for its fourth year in 2021, welcoming record-breaking teams to Wollongong and Maroubra beaches.
The 2021 Beach Tag events kicked off at North Wollongong Beach on Saturday 6 March – the pristine conditions and quality Oztag on display set the tone for a great spectacle.
The presence of event Head Sponsor, Budgy Smuggler was a huge hit on the shores of Wollongong Beach. From swimwear to accessories, the awesome, colorful stock attracted both players and the wider community of beach lovers.
The second and final Beach Tag event of 2021 was held on Saturday 24 April at Maroubra Beach, where the clear water crowded with surfers, as did the sand with eager OzTaggers.
Vibes were running high across Maroubra Beach with the appearance of partner sponsor, Red Bull and the welcoming of Beach Tag’s event DJ whose day-long tunes created an atmosphere for all in attendance.
Once again, the annual event attracted many locals to the beachside, captivated by the game and the exhibition of talent – diving for tags and tries made easier with such a soft landing.
Event Coordinator, Liam Haddock shared what Beach Tag is all about and commented on the future of the event moving forward.
“Beach Tag is a fun and exciting event for budding OzTaggers to enjoy while also appreciating Australia’s beach culture,” Haddock said.
“Due to the success of all Beach Tag tournaments, we are looking to bring the event to additional beaches up and down the East Coast, allowing more people the chance to enjoy the experience that it is,” he said.
Australian Oztag congratulate the following teams, crowned 2021 Beach Tag Champions.
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