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.
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.
Australian Oztag (AO) are thrilled to announce that the ever-popular Budgy Smuggler will continue their sponsorship with Oztag at our annual Beach Tag tournaments.
The Aussie company that started out as a laugh in a back yard has since expanded internationally, and is now one of Oztag’s most popular sponsors.
The team at Budgy Smuggler will have a pop-up store at both the Wollongong and Maroubra Beach Tag venues, with both men’s and women’s swimwear and accessories available for purchase.
Once again, Budgy Smuggler will provide the Beach Tag Champions with customised swimwear – designed entirely by your team.
If you are yet to register your team in the 2021 Beach Tag, spots are filling fast. See below for venue availability.
Wollongong
Men’s – one spot available
Mixed – FULL
Maroubra
Men’s – limited spots available
Mixed – limited spots available
Nominations forms can be found HERE. To finalise your registration, email your completed form to liam@oztag.com.au
AO sincerely thank the team at Budgy Smuggler for their ongoing support. To find out more about Budgy Smuggler or to shop online, visit their website.
The 2020 Senior State Cup saw two Penrith teams go head-to-head for the Championship title in the Senior Mixed Grand Final on Sunday, November 1.
Penrith Oztag Senior Mixed 1 headed comfortably into the Grand Final having ran undefeated all weekend before defending this reign against Tamworth in an 8-3 semi-final win.
After only one loss in the round games, Penrith Senior Mixed 2 fought to the death in a tight semi-final against Port Macquarie, taking out a 10-9 victory.
Come the Grand Final, friendships were set aside and the teams laid their bodies on the line for each other until the final hooter went.
Penrith Senior Mixed 1 were crowned champions after a startling 15-3 win.
Gallery Credit: Penrith Oztag Facebook Page
Penrith Oztag Licensee, Jamie Howard could not be prouder of the performances of their Senior Mixed teams at State Cup.
“It was very special indeed. Every team goes away to State Cup planning on making the Grand Final, to have both teams make it was beyond anyone’s wildest dreams,” Howard said.
For an association to have two strongly competitive teams in one division is rare. Upon reflecting on the teams’ preparation, Howard put their success down to a combination of factors.
“We have a group of very dedicated players who are committed not only to doing the best they can but are committed to each other,” he said.
“The key to the success of both teams was the Coach of our Senior Mixed 1 team, Jarrod Mostowick,”
“It was his vision that got the team up and running in the first place and he drove and supported the creation of the second team last year. Without his vision, commitment and drive I don’t think either team would have been as successful as they were,” he said.
The strength of Penrith Oztag’s local competitions were also deemed a contributing factor.
“We have a very strong Mixed competition, which has led to our Mixed Rep teams being strong across the board,” Howard said.
“Not only did our Senior Mixed teams finish first and second, but our Mixed Opens team also won and our Mixed 20’s team were Runners Up,” he said.
Mixed Opens Champions
Mixed Senior Champions
Mixed Senior Runners Up
Howard is confident that the future of Penrith Mixed is bright, with a strong pathway for players to transition through from 20’s all the way to Senior Mixed.
With the tournament postponed due to COVID, teams were deprived of adequate training opportunities. However, the Penrith Senior Mixed teams committed themselves to plenty of joint training sessions and opposed games in the lead up to the tournament.
“It is a credit to both teams that they were able to remain dedicated through such a difficult year,” Howard said.
It is clear that Penrith Oztag pride themselves on their club culture, having always encouraged the involvement of families across their teams.
Photo Credit: Penrith Oztag Facebook Page
“Our Senior Mixed 1 team have many players who are family members and there are countless teams in our local competition who are family based,” Howard said.
“When someone plays our sport, we want not just them, but their friends and family to enjoy everything that we have to offer,” he said.
Despite some personnel changes, both teams are set to return for the upcoming 2021 NSW Senior State up in March. With a number of clubs announcing very strong Senior Mixed teams, Penrith Oztag are looking forward to the challenge.
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