TWO DAYS OUT: 2021 NSW JUNIOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS (9-11’s)

TWO DAYS OUT: 2021 NSW JUNIOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS (9-11’s)

The countdown is on for the third annual NSW Junior State Cup (9’s-11’s) to be played at Bass Hill from Thursday February 25 to Sunday February 28, 2021.

This tournament will welcome 28 associations, a record 122 teams and close to 4000 spectators over the course of the four days.

Enthusiasm is running high for all participating this weekend; especially eager is the Under 9’s divisions who will be playing their first State Cup tournament.

The Cronulla Boys 11’s will be chasing their third consecutive title this weekend, kicking off the tournament with a Grand Final re-match against Nepean on Thursday morning.

Also working towards a successive championship is the Souths Girls 11’s who have taken home gold since their first tournament in 2019, defeating Cronulla in every Grand Final.

Division 1 hot contenders:

Girls 10’s: Souths, Baulkham Hills, Nepean and Central Coast

Boys 10’s: Baulkham Hills, Sutherland, Central Coast and ACT

Girls 11’s: Souths, Cronulla, Baulkham Hills and Nepean

Boys 11’s: Souths, Cronulla, Parramatta and Nepean

After a promising 8-1 Division 2 Grand Final win over Liverpool last year, the Nepean Boys 10’s will be competing in Division 1 for the first time.

In a similar position is the Wollongong Boys 11’s who have made the transition after a tight 3-2 win over Tamworth in 2020.

Chasing a consecutive Club Championship title is Central Coast, sitting at 68 points after the Junior State Cup (12’s-17’s) in Coffs Harbour. Last year’s Runners Up, Baulkham Hills are closely trailing on 56 points and the 2019 Champions, Souths sit in third on 42 points.

The Under 11’s City v Country teams will be selected based on player performance this weekend. Coaches will be required to complete the Junior Rating Form and submit it by Wednesday 3 March, 2021.

For those unable to attend, be sure to tune in to the Live Stream on Friday (from 12pm), Saturday (from 10.50am) and Sunday (from 12pm), available on the Australian Oztag and NSW Oztag Facebook pages, as well as Cluch TV. Alternatively, keep up to date with the live fixtures on the SportFix App.

Australian Oztag (AO) wish to remind all attending about the restrictions in place this weekend, including the strict two-spectator rule, the inability to travel between zones if you do not have the corresponding wristband, and the need to vacate after the conclusion of your last game (no loitering).

The Junior State Cup (12’s-17’s) ran in Coffs Harbour was deemed a great success. The new format, which saw the tournament played across four days, five zones and two sessions was certainly favoured by many.

AO look forward to running another Covid-Safe event in the same format and crowning the remaining 2021 NSW Junior State Cup Champions.

Tournament Director, Luke Manahan addresses important tournament reminders in the video below.

2021 JUNIOR CITY v COUNTRY DETAILS RELEASED

2021 JUNIOR CITY v COUNTRY DETAILS RELEASED

Four regions are set to compete at the 2021 Junior City v Country tournament in June, an event that welcomes Oztag’s most impressive 11–17-year-old players.

Junior teams will play on Sunday 13 June, of the long weekend at Central Coast Regional Sporting Complex, Tuggerah NSW 2259 (20 Lake Road).

The tournament format ensures teams play a total of four games each; they will play each other once, followed by a Final and 3rd v 4th.

Teams are selected by Australian Oztag (AO), based on team rating forms & performance at the 2021 Junior State Cup; Division two players that were watched over the weekend will also be considered for selection. The best possible team will be selected to represent each region.

Below are the four competing regions and the associations in which they are selected from.

Northern Country Knights: Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Tamworth, Warialda, Newcastle

Southern Country Pride: ACT, ACT Mountain Lions, Camden, Kiama, Southwest, Shellharbour, Wollongong

Western City Scorpions: Baulkham Hills, Canterbury, Carlingford, Nepean, Norwest Parramatta, Ryde, Sydney City

Southern City Seahawks: Cronulla, East Hills, Easts, Heathcote Engadine, Liverpool, Macarthur, Shire Storm, Souths, St George, Sutherland

Teams are currently in the process of being selected but will not be announced until after the Junior State Championships in Bass Hill next weekend. Under 11’s coaches will be required to complete the Junior Rating Form and submit it by Wednesday 3 March, 2021.

The Coaching position will be offered to the highest ranked team in your region. The Coach will then appoint his Assistant Coach & Manager from their NSW State Cup team.

It is important to note that selected players will have to confirm their position with the nominated Coach/Manager (contact details will be released with team list).

Players will also have to pay for their Uniform & Rego by Friday 9 April (link will be provided when announced). Cost is $150 – Includes Registration, Uniform, team socks & long sleeve top.

Once again, the prestigious High Performance Academy Squad will be selected from the 14’s and 15’s divisions at the Junior City v Country tournament.

The 2021 Senior City v Country tournament will definitely be going ahead, played on Saturday 12 June at Central Coast Regional Sporting Complex, Tuggerah NSW. Details to come.

NSW JUNIOR STATE CUP (12s-17s): DAY 4 WRAP

NSW JUNIOR STATE CUP (12s-17s): DAY 4 WRAP

The 2021 NSW Junior State Cup (12’s-17’s) has come to a successful conclusion after four days of high-quality, competitive Oztag.

Over the course of the four days, Coffs Harbour welcomed 262 teams, which saw a total of over 4000 players and 8000 spectators – all of whom are to be thanked for their persistence in complying with the protocols in place.

As the rain well and truly set in on Saturday night, Tournament Director, Bill Harrigan made an early decision to delay Sunday’s first game. However, teams adjusted well to the revised draw and new 20-minute game format.

It was of no surprise that the 15’s-17’s took their games to a new level of brilliance this 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.

Families, siblings and unsuccessful teams were again welcomed in the stadium to support during the Finals, creating a great atmosphere for all present. However, numbers were closely monitored to ensure adherence to the Public Health Order.

Below are the Champions for the 15’s, 16’s and 17’s divisions at the 2021 NSW Junior State Cup. Congratulations to all teams on a tremendous level of talent.

Girls 15’s

Div 1 – Souths

Div 2 – Easts

Boys 15’s

Div 1 – Camden

Div 2 – Kiama

Girls 16’s

Div 1 – Central Coast

Div 2 – Sutherland

Boys 16’s

Div 1 – Souths

Div 2 – Camden

Girls 17’s

Div 1 – ACT

Div 2 – Camden

Boys 17’s

Div 1 – St George

Div 2 – Liverpool

For all tournament results, visit the Sportfix app or click here.

Heading into the NSW Junior State Cup (9’s-11’s), held at Bass Hill over the 25th-28th of February, Central Coast sit in the lead for the Club Champions title, with Baulkham Hills and Souths trailing closely behind.

AO were extremely pleased with the running of this tournament and congratulate everyone who attended for their compliance with regulations.

The response to the tournament’s new format, including zones, sessions and the game on/game off configuration was overwhelmingly positive.

AO look forward to running another Covid-safe tournament at Bass Hill in late February for the NSW Junior State Cup (9’s-11’s).

JSC REVISED DRAW RELEASED

The C.ex Stadium draw has been revised. Please see below:

SUNDAY WET WEATHER REVISED DRAW – C.EX STADIUM

All games in Zones 1, 2 and 4 will be 20-minute games; 10-minutes both ways with a 2-minute half time and 3-minute changeover between games.

SportFix times will be updated in the next hour.

If you were scheduled to play at 8.30am, you will now be playing at 10.30am. Please arrive 45 minutes prior to your game.

AO wish to remind all attending of the Covid-19 Protocols in place to ensure we continue to adhere to the gathering capacity numbers.

Spectators will not be granted access to Zones without a wristband and must social distance while inside the premises.

Despite the wet weather, all team officials on the sideline must have enclosed footwear on.

Geoff King Rugby Fields: Girls 16s Div 2 & Boys 16 Div 2

For teams scheduled to play at Geoff King Rugby Fields, your games will commence at 10.30am.

You will play your draw as is, with the exception Field 1 will now be where Field 2 was originally. Therefore, all you need to do is look for the field’s flag numbers in relation to the draw.

You will still play be 30-minute games with 2-minute halftime and 3-minute changeover.

Geoff King fields will be run independently from the rest of the tournament in zones 1-4.

The draw has been pushed back two hours which means the last Final – Boys 16s Div 2 will now play at 2.45pm, finishing approximately at 4.15pm.