The annual NSW Junior State Cup (12’s-17s) has kicked off in Coffs Harbour, an astounding 262 teams welcomed with pristine fields and faultless weather conditions.
This year marks the 17th NSW Junior State Cup, a prestigious event that will once again see the best teams of the state go head-to-head for the Championship title.
For the first time, this tournament will run over four days: from Thursday February 11 to Sunday February 14, 2021. This, along with spectator restrictions ensures that the event adheres to Australian Oztag’s (AO) COVID Safety Plan and NSW Health protocol.
Excited is an understatement for the Under 12’s divisions, being their first time playing on the Coffs Coast. A newly-renovated C.ex stadium is awaiting the young talents who are well-prepared and determined to finish on top.
The Central Coast Girls 12’s are looking to continue their reign, having won two consecutive State Cup Grand Finals in 2019 and 2020.
Similarly, Baulkham Hills Girls 14’s, Souths Girls 15’s and Central Coast Girls 16’s are gunning for their third successive championship title.
But as the standard of Oztag continues to heighten every year, there will be plenty of competition worthy of claiming victory.
The stakes seem higher for the Under 17’s divisions; being their last year of Junior State Cup, teams are hungry to end this era on a high.
Hot contenders for the Boys 17’s are Sutherland, St George, Canterbury and Central Coast. For the Girls, Central Coast, ACT, Shellharbour and St George will be the teams to beat.
The 2021 NSW State Cup will see Central Coast chase a consecutive Club Championship – an honorary award for the most successful club of the tournament, across all age groups and divisions.
For those unable to attend, be sure to tune in to the Live Stream on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, available from midday onwards. Alternatively, keep up to date with the live fixtures on the SportsFix app or website.
AO encourage all attending the event to pay a visit to local shops and restaurants in Coffs Harbour following the communal distress caused by Covid-19.
After a successful 2020 Senior State Cup, Australian Oztag (AO) look forward to running another Covid-safe event and are pleased to welcome back spectators to the Coffs Coast.
As Oztag continues to flourish at representative levels, the team at AO look forward to this year’s display of talent and grit as players lay their bodies on the line for their teammates.
As the 2021 NSW Junior State Championships approach, Australian Oztag wish to remind the community of the ‘Shoosh for Kids’ Summer campaign.
The partnership between NSW Oztag and the Office of Sport strives to promote positive sideline behaviour to associations and spectators to foster a fun and safe sporting experience for kids.
Australian Oztag (AO) and NSW Oztag take a strong stance on poor spectator behaviour, at both grassroot and representative levels.
NSW Oztag Development Officer, Luke Manahan reminds spectators of AO’s expectations for the upcoming Junior State Cup in Coffs Harbour.
“Parents and caregivers must remember that this weekend is about the kids. We work to make this an enjoyable experience for them,” he said.
“We ask that all coaches and spectators respect the decisions of referees and encourage the kids to play the game in good spirit,” Mr Manahan said.
The NSW Office of Sport “Shoosh for Kids” campaign works to address issues which arise from poor behaviour including abuse to officials, reduced volunteer numbers, and reduced participation rates (due to poor experiences, non-enjoyment, too competitive).
The program closely aligns with NSW Oztag’s Conditions of Entry which details the repercussions for unacceptable behaviour at tournaments towards kids, officials and other spectators.
For example, AO’s Zero Tolerance Policy allows referees to issue a warning, followed by a 10-metre penalty if coaches or spectators display poor behaviour at any time during a match.
The NSW Junior State Cup remains a prestigious event that holds much excitement for young kids, hence AO encourage spectators to foster a fun sporting experience for all in attendance by keeping comments positive.
With the campaign message relevant at all sporting levels, local clubs and associations can download Shoosh for Kids Resources at their own convenience to promote positive behaviour at junior sport, all year round.
For AO’s Code of Conducts and recommended guidelines, visit the Policies and Documents page on our website.
Visit the Office of Sport website to find out more.
Australian Oztag regret to inform the Oztag community that the Trans-Tasman Tournament to be held in April, 2021 has once again been postponed due to the ongoing Covid-19 border restrictions.
The tournament, set to be held in New Zealand is a priority for AO as we want all representatives to have the chance to wear their Australian jersey.
A date is yet to be confirmed but the month of September, 2021 is the likely option.
Further details will be forthcoming once the necessary changes can be confirmed including flights, hotel accommodation and venue hire.
Again, we appreciate your patience and please know that Australian Oztag are working very closely with MTA Travel in doing our best to ensure this Tournament goes ahead.
Oztag’s prestigious City v Country tournament will return in 2021 for both Junior and Senior prospects of the game.
Selected from the 2021 NSW State Cup, it is an opportunity for Oztag’s top players to represent their region alongside various new teammates.
The tournament will be played on Saturday 12 June and Sunday 13 June, 2021 at Central Coast Regional Sporting Complex, Tuggerah NSW.
Junior City v Country will be played on Sunday 13 June, and will again welcome the four regions – Southern City Seahawks, Western City Scorpions, Southern Country Pride and Northern Country Knights.
Regions will play each other once, followed by a Final and 3rd v 4th.
2021 Junior State Cup Coaches will be required to complete the Junior Rating Form for their own team, based on player performance at the NSW State Cup tournament. The form must be submitted by Wednesday 17 February, 2021.
Once again, the eminent High-Performance Academy Players will be selected from the 14’s and 15’s divisions at the 2021 City v Country tournament.
Senior City v Country will be played on Saturday 12 June in a new three-game format, played strictly between two regions – City and Country.
City teams will be represented by associations in the Sydney basin from Hornsby in the North, to Penrith in the West, Campbelltown in the South and the East coastline. Any associations outside this border will represent Country.
City representatives will be selected from the top four finishing City teams in Division 1 at the NSW Senior State Cup.
Country representatives will be selected from the top four finishing Country teams in Division 1 at the NSW Senior State Cup. If there is not four teams in Division 1, they can be selected from Second division teams.
2021 Senior State Cup Coaches will also be required to complete a Rating Form for their own team, based on player performance at the tournament.
Australian Oztag look forward to the return of the annual City v Country tournaments and the level of talent that accompanies them.
For the second year, the tournament will be run in a Covid-safe manner over its three-day duration. It will be split into two sessions (A.M. and P.M.) and will be segregated into five zones, across C.ex Stadium and Geoff King Rugby Fields.
The Conditions of Entry details Australian Oztag’s Covid-19 Safety Plan and all relevant guidelines.
The significant difference from this tournament to past tournaments is all divisions will play 30-minute games for the duration of the tournament.
This decision had to be made to fit the tournament within the scheduled three days due to AO’s Covid Safety Plan and the increase in the number of teams entering this year.
In 2019, 197 teams entered, and in 2021, there will be a record of 246 teams participating.
Tournament Director, Bill Harrigan commented on this significant change, intrigued as to how the players will respond.
“It’s great to see more teams entering, but with Covid restrictions in the size of gatherings still enforced, it was a difficult task to fit the tournament over three days,” Mr. Harrigan said.
“So, I look forward to getting the feedback from teams on the new 30-minute game format,” he said.
As local businesses work to get back on their feet following Covid’s harsh impact on tourism, AO encourage all attending the event to pay a visit to local shops and restaurants in Coffs Harbour.
It has been advised that individuals and teams secure their bookings in advance.
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