Official Announcement: 2020 Trans Tasman CANCELLED

Official Announcement: 2020 Trans Tasman CANCELLED

Australian Oztag Director of Coaching and Development, Michael Buettner officially announced the cancellation of the 2020 Trans Tasman series, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is with great regret, Australian Oztag (AO) can officially announce the cancellation of the 2020 Trans Tasman Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand.

Unfortunately, due to the current COVID-19 lockdown, which has affected every State in varying degrees, the New Zealand ‘travel bubble’ was closed and therefore meant the tournament could no longer go ahead despite the many attempts to reschedule over the past 18 months.

Australian Oztag would like to congratulate all the players, coaches and support staff who were selected to compete in this tournament.  It is always an honour to represent your country and this would have been the biggest touring party to have left our shores representing Australian Oztag.

All players and coaches will receive their playing gear courtesy of Australian Oztag as recognition of their selection in the squad, as well as the 1 year service recognition despite not having competed at the tournament.

Australian Oztag would also like to take the time to thank the players, coaches, managers and supporters for their patience, understanding and support over the past 18 months.  Clearly these have been unprecedented times and we all are hoping that there is light at the end of the tunnel so we can all get back to playing as soon as possible.

Another big thank you to Kim Newton and Amanda Washington from MTA Travel who had the unenviable task of booking and rebooking over 600 players and supporters on 4 seperate occasions. Their efforts behind the scenes cannot be underestimated and their support, commitment and professionalism was apparent and ensured they were going to do all they could to get our Tagaroos teams competing at this Trans Tasman tournament.

Australian Oztag is hoping to see restrictions ease in the coming months, so players have the opportunity to enjoy our great game again.  Until then, stay safe and train hard.”

Michael Buettner
AO Director of Coaching and Development

Official Announcement: 2020 Trans Tasman CANCELLED

Trans-Tasman given the green light amidst Travel Bubble approval

Australian Oztag are thrilled to announce that the 2020 Trans-Tasman tournament will be going ahead in September this year.

The Australian and New Zealand travel bubble is set to open in April, giving the prestigious Trans-Tasman tournament the green light for the revised month of September, 2021.

This tournament remained a priority for Australian Oztag (AO) to ensure all players were granted the opportunity to represent their country.

It is therefore AO’s pleasure to announce the Tournament details as follows:

Date: 16th – 21st September, 2021

Venue: Pullman Park, Auckland, NZ

More details to come.

Following great anticipation, AO are ecstatic that representatives will have the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and throw on their well-earned jerseys with pride.

2020 Trans-Tasman Postponed

2020 Trans-Tasman Postponed

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.

2021 Tag World Cup Statement

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.”

The 2020 Trans Tasman tour scheduled for September has been postponed.

The 2020 Trans Tasman tour scheduled for September has been postponed.

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 Tagaroos Squads Announced for 2021 Tag World Cup

Australian Tagaroos Squads Announced for 2021 Tag World Cup

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.