On Friday December 11 2020, Oztag’s elite juniors attended the prestigious High Performance Academy (HPA) Camp at the NSW Academy of Sport in Narrabeen.
Selected from the NSW Junior City v Country tournament, these players were recognised as future prospects of our sport and granted the opportunity to learn from Oztag’s elite coaches.
The HPA Camp involved high level coaching of specific skill and conditioning drills, an introduction to tournament preparation and recovery to optimise performance, game analysis through an in-depth video session, and a fun games night.
The weekend culminated with 3 games against each other, allowing players to implement the principles and coaching provided throughout the training sessions into game situation.
AO National Coaching Director and HPA Supervisor, Michael Buettner was very pleased with the running of the Camp and the opportunities provided to the game’s up and coming elites.
“It was a huge success,” Buettner said.
“The 52 players were provided with some of the best coaching our game has to offer including the Australian Men’s Opens coach Jeff Coroneos, Australian Oztag Hall of Famer David Rose and our very own Mark Gasnier,” he said.
On Saturday, the players were welcomed by former Knights and Bulldogs NRL player, Jack Cogger who encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity and like a sponge, absorb all of the coaches advice.
Aged between 13 and 15, the squad have been commended for the wealth of skill and attentiveness they displayed throughout the duration of the Camp.
“The players should be very proud of the way they behaved and responded to the high expectations placed on them by the coaches,” Buettner said.
“It was great to see the talent on show and how quickly they picked up advanced coaching techniques and then were able to apply them to a game situation,” he said.
On Sunday afternoon, Brisbane Broncos NRLW Premiership winner Jayme Fressard presented the players with their trophies. She spoke of her career with the Broncos and competing at the Commonwealth Games in 2015 in Rugby 7’s and how Oztag helped her in developing the skills to compete at a professional level.
The 2020 HPA Camp ensured Oztag’s future prospects headed home with a greater understanding of game specifics that will benefit them in their future endeavors.
“From what I saw the future of Australian Oztag is looking bright and I would expect to see a large percentage of the players at the HPA represent their country in the very near future,” Buettner said.
Australian Oztag thank all the parents, players, staff and coaches for their efforts over the weekend. To the NSW Academy of Sport in Narrabeen – the facilities were ideal, and a special mention to the players from the ACT who travelled 4 hours to attend the Camp.
Australian Oztag is proud to announce the players selected for the 2020 High Performance Academy, a prestigious opportunity that see’s the development of Oztag’s junior elites.
Selected from the NSW Junior City v Country Tournament held last weekend in Wollongong, these players have been identified as having the potential to be the next generation of superstars.
The High Performance Academy (HPA) targets 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 from December 11 to December 13, 2020.
Introduced in 2019, the inaugural HPA was deemed a major success. Players came from across the nation to learn from the best and enhance their game.
HPA Coach, Stephen Butler
Due to Covid-19, Australian Oztag (AO) unfortunately could not invite QLD players to this year’s HPA Camp. ACT’s players were however nominated by the association, with a few extra talents selected at this year’s Junior City v Country.
Oztag Founder, Perry Haddock gave insight into his confidence in the program and is eager to work with this selected squad of elite juniors.
“We’ve compiled some great coaches to work at the elite Oztag High Performance Academy and we have no doubt that the players will have a lot of fun and improve their Oztag skills,” Haddock said.
“Congratulations to each and every one of the players on their selection and we look forward to welcoming you to the Narrabeen Sports Academy in December,” 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.
The focus of the camp is to encourage the transfer of knowledge into game situations among the future prospects of our sport.
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 52 players on their selection in 2020’s eminent HPA squad.
2019 HPA Camp at the NSW Academy of Sport, Narrabeen
On Thursday September 17, 2020, the International Tag Federation (ITF) Board met (via Zoom) to discuss the impact of the Covid19 pandemic on Tag around the world and the implications for the Tag World Cup 2021 to be held at the University of Limerick in Limerick, Ireland in August 2021.
A decision has been made to comply with relevant Government and International public health authority advice, whilst catering for the financial challenges that face many players:
“All Board members agreed on the need to postpone the Tag World Cup 2021 and to host the event from the 31st July – 5th August 2022. Country representatives will be sent more detail in the coming weeks.”
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.
Australian Oztag would like to formally announce the Tagaroos Squads which will be representing Australia at the 2021 Tag World Cup which will be held in Limerick, Ireland.
It is the first time the World Cup will be held in the Northern Hemisphere and it is anticipated there will be over 3000 players participating in the Tournament from over 20 different countries.
The Australian Tagaroos will be sending 12 teams to compete in the 4th Tag World Cup and will be looking to maintain their dominance at previous World Cups with the Tagaroos being reigning World Champions in 10 of the 12 divisions they will be competing in at next year’s Tournament.
The Squads named today will eventually be reduced to a 20 player touring team, who will then go on to represent Australia in August 2021 at the World Cup in Limerick, Ireland.
“This is an important day for our elite players to be recognized for their performances at the National Championships which were held last November in Coffs Harbour” said Australian Oztag CEO Bill Harrigan.
“With what we are all currently going through with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is nice to be able to offer some exciting news to those players selected in these Squads and give them something to look forward to. Obviously, the Squads will be reduced to a team of 20 once we have our final selection day, however all the players named today should be extremely proud of their selection and looking forward to the possibility of representing their country at the 2021 Tag World Cup”
The Squads announced today will have one last chance to impress Coaches and Selectors when Australian Oztag host the final World Cup Selection Day Trial later in the year (pending COVID-19 restrictions) where these players will be doing all they can to gain selection in the Final 20 Player Touring Teams and booking their spots to Ireland.
“Anytime you get the chance to represent your Country is a huge honour, but to be able to do it at a World Cup on foreign soil, it really doesn’t get much better than that” explained Australian Oztag Director of Coaching Michael Buettner.
To view the 2021 Tag World Cup Australian Tagaroos Squads, click here.
As a result of the 2020 NSW Oztag State Cup being postponed due to COVID-19, it has impacted on the opportunity for players to be seen & considered for selection for the Australian Tagaroos squad in the 2021 World Cup.
This amended policy is only for players who did not play in the Australian Championships 2019 & were registered to play in the NSW State Championships in March 2020.
If you consider yourself a player of the ability required for selection into an Australian team & you would like to be considered, please email your Oztag CV which covers your playing division, position/s, playing history and 2 references to mick@oztag.com.au by Friday, 3rd April.
Your CV will be forwarded to the respective coach for consideration.
Once considered the coach may invite you to attend the Tagaroos World Cup Selection Day in May 2020 (subject to restrictions relating to COVID-19), however, this will be at the Coaches discretion in consultation with Australian Oztag.
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