by Chelsea Cryer | Jul 28, 2020 | Latest News
With Winter competitions underway, Australian Oztag staff members have begun visiting associations to say hi and oversee the COVID Safety guidelines in place.
On Wednesday July 22, Australian Oztag (AO) staff visited Newcastle Oztag to check in and assess how they are running their competitions under the current climate.
NSW General Manager, Luke Manahan, said Newcastle Oztag’s implementation of the COVID Safety guidelines was A+.
“Newcastle Oztag Licensees, Jo and Brett Howard have done a fantastic job in making sure all policies and guidelines have been strictly followed,” he said.
When the pandemic first hit and community sport came to a halt, Newcastle Oztag was busy organising their Autumn competition, which they unfortunately had to cancel.
When the NSW Government gave the all clear to resume play from July 1, Jo told ABC Newcastle that it took a lot of hard work to get up and running again.
The association worked closely with their local council to put together an appropriate Safety Plan that aligned with that of Australian Oztag
“Get in, play, get out – is our motto”, Jo told ABC Newcastle.
Luke said that upon inspecting Newcastle Oztag competitions, there were no spectators, no physical sign ons and there was a break between games to allow for players to clear before the next game.
“One strategy Newcastle Oztag have implemented is having a COVID Safety officer standing in a 10x10m area at half way during each game,” he said.
The COVID Officer’s role is to verbally sign on players, ensure social distancing on the side line and sanitize the ball, as well as players hands during each break.
These Newcastle Oztag COVID Officers are volunteers, willing to brave the cold weather in order to enforce strict protocol and ensure the health and safety of all.
“The best part was seeing the community back out on the field and enjoying the game in the safest way possible,” Manahan said.
Australian Oztag are thrilled to be back and congratulate everyone for their compliance with regulations.
Photo: Jo & Brett Howard, picture with daughter, Rhiannon.
by Chelsea Cryer | Jul 22, 2020 | Latest News
Local teammates and Men’s over 50s rep players, Phil Bruce and Michael (Charlie) Rutter have been playing Oztag from day one. Not only have they experienced the game’s immense growth over the years, but they’ve become familiar with the joy, honour and sense of camaraderie that it brings.
Both Phil and Charlie shared their Oztag stories with ACT Oztag.
How long have you been playing Oztag locally?
CHARLIE: I played in the first Oztag competition in 1993. When trying to launch Oztag in Canberra, I played in a demonstration game at Bruce Stadium at half time of a Raiders game.
PHIL: I think my first game of Oztag was back in late 1994 or early 1995 and I have not missed a season since.
Image: First National Championships at Tungun, 1996. Phil (Back row, far right)
What was the first representative tournament you played in?
CHARLIE: I played in the 1995 Canberra Cup, 1996 State Cup and 1996 Nationals, all for ACT Mixed Open.
PHIL: My first tournament was the first Australian Championships at Tugun next to the Gold Coast Airport in 1996. I played in the ACT Men’s over 30’s and we played NSW in the final and won. I think the score was 7-6.
How many representative teams have you played in, for both ACT and Australia?
CHARLIE: I’ve played 15 Nationals for ACT plus a recent 2 for Cronulla. I’ve played in 4 State Cups for ACT and 7 Canberra Cups for ACT.
I’ve been part of 12 Australian Teams (Mixed Open, Men’s 35s, Men’s 40s, Men’s 45s, Men’s 50s and Men’s 55s. Including two World Cups).
PHIL: I think I may have missed 1 Australian Championships in the early 2000’s due to the ACT not putting a side in and we did not have the Players Pool we do now.
I have been picked for a few Aussies sides. First in the 1996 Australian Merit side, as well as the 2007 Men’s over 40’s side which travelled to New Zealand.
I was also part of the over 50’s Australian Barbarians side in 2014 and 2015. Myself and Dave Bell co-captain/coached this side at the 2015 World Cup.
For the 2018 City v Country tournament, I was picked for the Southern Country Pride team. In 2019, I had a late call up for the Men’s over 50’s City side.
It was always a bit hard to get into rep sides due to ACT not having a team of my age. Players often had 10 to 15 years on me as I always played down.
I will be playing with South Sydney Men’s over 55’s at this year’s State Cup. I think all my Christmas’ have come at once having the great South Sydney shirt on.
Image: 2015 World Cup at the Sunshine Coast. Charlie (left)
What position do you play in Oztag?
CHARLIE: Link and wing
PHIL: I have played in the centre all my playing life, I’m not quick enough for anywhere else.
What keeps bringing you back to play Oztag season in, season out?
CHARLIE: Being able to play alongside mates and over the last few years the opportunity to play alongside my two sons Andrew and Matthew.
When I had a sarcoma removed from my left leg back in December 2017, I lost the whole muscle running down the side of my left quad. Not only did I have plenty of support and hospital visits from Oztag teammates, but returning to the Oztag field was one of my main motivations.
Oztag has given me so much to be thankful for – friends for life, the opportunity to represent my Region and Country and it allows me stay active.
PHIL: I played Rugby League until I was 28, then touch football until I was 38, then got into Oztag and soon found out that Oztag was more like League and I enjoyed it a lot more.
I am now 64 in 4 weeks and still having a ball. I love playing, love bringing young sides into the comp and helping them learn the game.
I have had no problem with my body – legs, knees etc, so will keep playing while I can run.
Do you have any advice for up and coming Oztag players?
CHARLIE: Always respect and never under estimate your opposition.
PHIL: I look at our younger rep sides and you see a lot of small kids running around showing all the skills, and I think that with Oztag they have a game they can play without the worry of the big kids putting on the big hits. My advice is to learn your ball skills and defence patterns on the Oztag field and enjoy it for as long as you can, once you stop, it’s very hard to restart.
Interview: ACT Oztag
Image: ACT Oztag
Phil (left), Charlie (right)
by Chelsea Cryer | Jul 17, 2020 | NSW Oztag
The 2020 NSW Junior City v Country Tournament will be held on Sunday 2nd August at a REVISED VENUE: Collegians Sporting Complex (147 The Avenue Figtree) and Sid Parish Park (2 Avalon Terrace Figtree), Wollongong. Please note, these venues are separate, however next to each other.
Due to the current circumstances, the following information MUST be thoroughly read and understood by all.
Draw
The draw has been formulated to comply with the COVID-19 Government policies surrounding community sport and public gathering. Age groups have been assigned to a set venue and session (morning or afternoon), therefore, all attending must adhere to the scheduled arrival times and exit the fields straight after the conclusion of their last game.
The draw will be available online and via the Sport Fix app.
DRAW – Collegians Sporting Complex
DRAW – Sid Parish Park
Map
There is a large fence that divides the two venues, so please park on your allocated side as outlined in the VENUE/FIELD MAP.
Tournament Covid Safety Plan
Please carefully read the COVID SAFETY PLAN and familiarise yourself with the protocol in place. There must only be one parent in attendance and they must be included on the Registration form. There will be COVID Safety Officers present to ensure everyone complies with our Safety Plan.
There is great uncertainty in the current situation, therefore Australian Oztag urge any coaches, managers or players that feel unwell or have been in contact with a case to not attend. We cannot be complacent and must protect the health and safety of the community.
High Performance Academy Selection
Once again, we will be selecting the most talented 13-15-year-old players from this tournament for our inaugural 2020 HPA. We will be selecting from the 14 and 15-year age groups.
For further information, such as Conditions of Entry and Registration forms, please visit our website.
Please note, ALL Team Registration Forms must be completely filled out and emailed to luke@oztag.com.au by Thursday 30th July.
by Chelsea Cryer | Jul 16, 2020 | Elite, International
Due to the second wave of Covid and the decreased chance or borders re-opening, Australian Oztag have made an executive decision to reschedule the Trans Tasman tour set to be held in September, 2020.
The new dates have been confirmed.
The tournament will now take place on Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th & Wednesday 14th of April, 2021 at Pullman Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Australian teams will depart on Saturday 10th April and return Thursday 15th April, 2021.
Australian Oztag will continue to diligently monitor Government policy and International travel restrictions.
For further information, please watch the attached video from Australian Oztag General Manager, Bill Harrigan and Australian Teams Director, Michael Buettner.
by Chelsea Cryer | Jul 10, 2020 | Latest News
Tags replaced confetti and an Oztag ball replaced flowers in the wedding photos of two Fairfield Oztag representatives, whose love story literally kicked off with an Oztag whistle.
The newly wedded couple, Andrew and Malisa Trinh tied the knot at what looked to be a beautiful ceremony on Saturday June 6, 2020.
Fairfield representative, Andrew Trinh explained how the game of Oztag has played such a major role in his relationship with Malisa.
“We met at Carrawood Park at the first Fairfield City Oztag competition,” Andrew said.
“I joined Malisa’s mixed team because one of her players got injured. I ended up being a permanent replacement and that’s how I got to know her.”
“Our friendship sparked from there and a year or so later, we started dating. Up until our wedding we were together for six years,” he said.
The two, self-proclaimed ‘Oztag Tragics’ are heavily involved in the Oztag community. So much so, they spend four nights a week at Fairfield competitions.
“We’re right in there. We help run the competitions, we ref, and we play,” Andrew said.
“We both play State Cup and Nationals. We’ve gone to City Country tournaments, World Cups and Oceania. I’ve even coached some State Cup and City Country sides,” he said.
Image credit: Andrew Trinh
When asked about the wedding photos, Andrew explained that the Oztag twist was completely spontaneous.
“It wasn’t planned at all. We had a lot of our mates there that have played or still play Oztag. So as we were taking photos with the guests, one of our close friends, Rob, grabbed a fresh set of tags and a brand new ball out of his car,” he said.
Before they knew it, the group of Oztaggers had gathered, tags in hands and in pockets – celebrating a relationship that evolved with their common love for the game.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was pretty much the epitome of our relationship. With our friends and how we met,” Andrew said.
But it didn’t end there. Andrew had one last surprise for his wife, Malisa.
“As a little wedding gift for Malisa, I engraved the coordinates of where we first met on the inside of both of our rings, to signify the Oztag fields at Carrawood Park,” he said.
The couple were initially quite upset amidst the global pandemic and its impact on weddings. However, restrictions were eased a week before the big day, allowing them to have up to 20 guests at the ceremony.
Although it was much smaller than they originally anticipated, Andrew and Malisa always had their hearts set on signing those papers.
“We were always going to go ahead and get married because that day is an important day for us – it’s our anniversary,” Andrew said.
“We were going to have a big Asian wedding which is normally four or five hundred people, so Covid definitely took a bit of pressure off,” he laughed.
Unable to hold a reception, the couple have postponed their celebrations to next year when borders open and family can attend from overseas.
Australian Oztag wish the happy couple all the best and many years of tagging ahead.
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