The 2025 Junior Australian Championships delivered one of the most exciting weekends of junior Oztag to date, with standout performances, historic repeat victories, and an unprecedented number of finals going to drop-off.
Western Sydney Tiger Cubs Crowned Club Champions
Congratulations to the Western Sydney Tiger Cubs, who claimed the prestigious Club Champions title after a dominant campaign across multiple age divisions. Their consistency, depth, and skill across the tournament once again showcased the strength of the Western Sydney region at junior level.
Notable Performances and Historic Wins
It was a weekend filled with remarkable storylines and elite-level competition. Among the highlights:
Central Coast Boys 17s proved that lightning can strike twice, famously claiming that “the first time was so nice, they had to do it twice” going back-to-back champions in their division.
The Southern Storm continued their dominance, with the Boys 16s completing an incredible three-peat, cementing the club’s reputation as one of the true powerhouses of Australian Oztag.
Australian Oztag also noted the most Final Fives on a Sunday in recent history, underlining the competitive balance and depth of talent across all divisions. Several grand finals went right down to the wire, decided only in extra time through golden-point drop-offs a testament to the intensity and evenness of competition. The most notable were:
Boys 14s: Illawarra Steelers def. Tiger Cubs
Girls 15s: Southern Storm def. Illawarra Steelers
Girls 17s: Central Coast def. Sutherland Stingrays
The level of talent at this year’s championships was nothing short of exceptional. With so many standout individual performances across multiple age groups, Australian Tagaroos selectors will have their work cut out in the coming weeks as they prepare to name representative teams. Selections for the Australian Tagaroos will be announced mid-December, so stay tuned to our social channels for updates.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Junior Australian Championships once again highlighted the passion, skill, and growth of junior Oztag across the country. With powerhouse regions like Western Sydney, Southern Storm, and Central Coast setting the benchmark, the future of Australian Oztag is brighter than ever.
We look forward to seeing everyone back in action at the Senior Australian Championships in just a few weeks’ time.
The 2025 Junior Australian Championships are set to kick off this weekend, running from November 17–19 at the home of Oztag, C.ex International Stadium in Coffs Harbour. With over 220 teams and more than 3,500 players from across NSW, QLD, and the ACT, the stage is set for another massive weekend of junior Oztag.
From the moment teams arrive, they’ll be met with excitement and energy that only Junior Nationals can deliver. Players, families, and supporters will line the fields, creating a festival-like environment as teams chase national glory across three big days of competition.
Friday and Saturday will see pool games in full swing before finals kick off on Sunday, with matches on Field 2 to be streamed live on Kayo Freebies.
There’s plenty of talent to keep an eye on:
U16s Boys Storm are hunting a three-peat after back-to-back titles, but Wolverines will be looking to turn the tables after narrowly going down 4–3 in last year’s final.
U15s Girls Orcas remain a team to watch, having not lost an Australian Championships since their Under 11s debut in 2021.
This year, several teams from the Tiger Cubs will wear rainbow laces in support of The Steele Foundation and DonateLife, highlighting the importance of organ donation awareness. Keep an eye out for these teams throughout the weekend as they play for more than just the scoreboard.
There’s added significance this year, with performances being closely watched by Tagaroos selectors. Standout players will have the chance to earn selection in the Under 16s and Under 18s Tagaroos squads, set to compete at the ITF 5th Tag World Cup in October next year.
Official Oztag supplier OES will be based at the southern end of the stadium with tournament merchandise, while ibimages will be on site for team photos and action shots. Players and teams can book directly through their page.
A special thanks to nib and GSA for their continued support of Australian Oztag and grassroots sport nationwide.
Follow Australian Oztag on social media for live updates, highlight reels, and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the weekend. All live scores will be available on Assemble, with the latest content shared across our platforms.
It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend of Oztag at Coffs Harbour, where new champions will rise, memories will be made, and the future stars of our sport will take centre stage.
Australian Oztag is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment across Junior and Senior Nationals.
We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, abuse, and violence directed at players, referees, officials, or spectators. Any individual found engaging in abusive or violent behaviour may face immediate removal from the venue and further disciplinary action, including suspension from future events.
To support this initiative:
Clear Respect signage will appear at all tournaments and association venues.
Tournament agreements will reinforce our no-abuse, no-violence standard.
A new complaints form will be made available for reporting incidents directly to tournament management.
This initiative aims to create a safe and enjoyable environment forplayers, referees, coaches, and spectators, promoting positive behavior both on and off the field. Abuse of any kind, verbal, physical, or online has no place in our sport.
We call on everyone in the Oztag community toplay fair, show respect, and support each other, ensuring our game remains fun and welcoming for all.
Australian Oztag is now accepting applications for the Tagaroos Men’s 35s Head Coach ahead of the 2026 Tag World Cup.
Applicants must hold a Level 2 Coaching Accreditation, possess representative coaching experience at State or National level, and demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and player development skills. The successful candidate will work under the direction of the National Director of Coaching and Development, helping prepare Australia’s Men’s 35s to compete on the international stage.
All applications, including resumes and references, must be submitted by Friday, 24 October 2025.
For full selection criteria and application details, please click here.
For more than a decade, Melbourne City Oztag has been steadily carving out its place in Victoria’s sporting landscape. What began as one person’s passion to keep playing the game has grown into a thriving community, bringing together players of all ages and backgrounds who share a love for Oztag.
A Journey into Oztag
The story starts in Cairns back in 2003, when JC Carmody was encouraged by mates to try a non-contact version of rugby league after a motor vehicle accident left him unable to play contact sport. From there, Oztag quickly became more than just a pastime, it became a way to stay connected to sport and community.
After spending time playing in both Cairns and Townsville, the move south to Victoria in 2013 reignited that passion. Driving more than an hour from the Mornington Peninsula to the city every week to both play and referee in the Melbourne competition, JC soon found himself stepping into a bigger role. By 2014, he was venue coordinator, and just two years later, he became the Melbourne licensee.
Growing the Game in Victoria
Since then, Melbourne City Oztag has been built on dedication and persistence. With limited resources but plenty of drive, the competition has grown and sustained a loyal base of members, while also branching out to explore new opportunities for the game across the state.
There have been plenty of highlights along the way:
Nationals representation: The Melbourne Royals competed at Nationals in both 2018 and 2019.
State Cup debut: The Melbourne City Kings proudly took the field at the NSW State Cup in 2025.
Winter Oztag launch: In 2025, Melbourne hosted its first Winter competition. With four teams randomly selected each week, players of all levels got the chance to learn from each other and build connections. The format was unique, and the community feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Celebrating Milestones
The strength of Melbourne Oztag lies in its people. Season after season, players continue to return, creating a community built on loyalty and connection. In 2025, we celebrate:
Matt Heung playing his 12th consecutive season.
Michael Paterson playing his 10th consecutive season, while Jenika Stubelj and Mike Bialecki reach 10 cumulative seasons each.
Team Mustag Sally, entering their 9th consecutive season, with the same core group that first joined in 2017.
Looking Ahead
From humble beginnings to a competition that continues to grow, Melbourne City Oztag is proof of what dedication and passion can achieve. The goal now is to expand Oztag even further across Victoria, giving more people the chance to experience the community, competition, and fun that the sport brings.
Follow Melbourne City Oztag Stay up to date with their competitions, news, and community highlights:
The wait is over. The 2025 International Tag Series Finals games are now available to rewatch on our YouTube channel, Australian Oztag
Now you can experience it all over again. Relive the intensity of championship-deciding clashes across Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed divisions. See the last-minute tries, the emotional victories, and the standout performances. These games captured not only the skill of the athletes but also the cultural pride and passion that makes the International Tag Series one of the sport’s most unique events.
The livestreamed games delivered non-stop action from start to finish. The Girls 18s Grand Final between Australia and the Barbarians was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with Australia leading 3–2 before the Barbarians scored on the buzzer. Despite the last-second try from the Barbarians, Australia secured the win by finishing with more points overall.
In another dramatic clash the Men’s Opens quarterfinal, Samoa Australia faced Vietnam in a high-stakes match, and right on the buzzer, Samoa Australia completed a stunning coast-to-coast dive try in the corner, securing their spot in the semi-finals.
In the Women’s Opens semi-final between China and Vietnam, China entered as underdogs but came out strong, using smart ball movement, solid defence, and precise tries to secure a hard-fought win and a place in the Grand Final, proving themselves a team to watch.The Mixed 20s Grand Final saw Samoa Australia take on New Zealand, with Karnye Thompson scoring a spectacular corner try, taking the win.
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@AusOztag
Don’t miss your chance to watch the Finals in full. Head to the Australian Oztag YouTube channel, subscribe for more replays, highlights, and future livestreams, and join the conversation by sharing your favourite match in the comments.
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