by Chelsea Cryer | Aug 18, 2020 | Latest News, National
Junior Australian Championships
Today, the NSW Government have released further public health recommendations to community sport which impact on sports running representative competitions.
‘Sports are to cease activities that result in the mixing of participants and staff from different regions, eg. By ceasing zone, regional or state championships or competitions.’
NSW Government Public Health Recommendation
As a result, Australian Oztag has to cancel the 2020 Junior Australian Championships.
The new restrictions have been implemented for the next 6 weeks & then to be further reviewed. With this uncertainty AO has made the decision to completely cancel the event rather than postpone. The timing of this decision is before uniform cut-off therefore families are not placed with any financial burden.
Senior State Championships
The SSC is currently scheduled 4 weeks after the review giving us time to hold off on any immediate decision.
The SSC is different to the juniors as players have already received their uniforms and paid registration. Because players have been training for several months & are ready to play, it is AO’s intention to do everything it can to play this tournament.
AO will continually monitor Governments decisions and inform players asap.
City v Country
The Junior City v Country are in a similar position to the SSC players having paid registration and received their uniforms. They are ready to play and the tournament is now scheduled for Sunday 15th November. Therefore, allowing plenty of time for the governments review before a definitive decision is needed by AO.
A copy of the Governments Letter is attached.
by Chelsea Cryer | Aug 17, 2020 | Latest News, National, NSW Oztag
Australian Oztag has submitted contingency plans to Coffs Council.
The plans have been formulated to adhere to Public Health Orders re: Covid-19 restrictions.
AO and Coffs Council are now working through the logistics in attempt to ensure the tournaments can go ahead in the safest way possible.
A decision is expected very soon.
AO will update the public with necessary information once conclusions have been made.
by Chelsea Cryer | Aug 13, 2020 | Latest News
Australian Oztag have been keeping up with their adherence to Covid-safe measures with recent visits made to Nepean, Penrith, Sydney City and Tamworth Oztag associations.
Following inspection, feedback has been nothing short of positive as competitions continue to prioritise the health and safety of the community by enforcing protocol that allows our game to be enjoyed in the safest way possible.
On Tuesday August 4, Australian Oztag (AO) staff visited Penrith Oztag whose enforcement of Covid policies is providing the safest possible environment for all attending.
AO General Manager, Bill Harrigan said messages are clearly communicated via the Penrith Oztag app, social channels and website, with a commendable display of safety protocol at the ground.
“The sign on system is fantastic. There are sign on points located between fields, each with a designated staff member that signed the team on via the FIXI app,” Bill said.
The games are scheduled on the hour, allowing 15 minutes between games for players to leave and arrive.
“There were regular announcements, aswell as a Covid officer who continually walked around in a high vis vest to ensure there were no spectators and that all rules were being followed,” Bill said.
AO General Manager, Bill with Penrith Oztag Licensee, Jamie Howard
That same afternoon, AO visited Nepean Junior Oztag who held a ‘Come and try beginner afternoon’. NSW General Manager, Luke Manahan said their protocol was great.
“Players had to be registered online prior to attending and parents were asked to watch from the car. There was also a sanitizer station set up,” Luke said.
On Wednesday August 5, Australian Oztag staff member, Phil Browne paid a visit to Tamworth Oztag, reporting that they complied extremely well with the AO Covid Safety Policy.
“They had a number of off field staff who were COVID Safety Officers, wearing yellow vests,” Phil said.
The venue had a Covid Board on entry, including every poster from the AO Covid Resource page, aswell as frequent loud speaker announcements reminding players that there are strictly no spectators allowed.
Having also refereed at the venue, Phil said that upon arrival each ref received a bucket containing all necessary equipment.
“Referees were told to spray all players hands with sanitizer before the game and at half time. And players were told to not shake hands,”
“Referees also had to spray the ball and wipe it down with a towel,” Phil said.
AO staff member, Phil Browne at Tamworth Oztag
On Wednesday August 12, NSW General Manager, Luke Manahan visited Sydney City Oztag who have followed suit with Penrith and Tamworth Oztag.
Run by Siv at Wentworth Park every night but Friday, Luke said their Covid-safe play was good.
“They had gaps between games, allowing players to arrive and leave. And had Covid officers walking around checking teams and making sure there were no spectators,” Luke said.
Sydney City Oztag Co-ordinator, Sivasaran Sooriakumar
by Chelsea Cryer | Aug 3, 2020 | Latest News
From representing Shellharbour Oztag to playing on the big stage, NRL halfback Jai Field shared his love for Oztag and how the game has influenced the player he is now.
The 22-year-old began playing with friends when he was eight, falling in love with how much the game transferred into Rugby League.
“I played Touch before tag and obviously touch is a lot faster. But with tag you can kick, slow down a bit and run more footy-type plays,” Field said.
Field’s first Oztag representative experience was for Shellharbour Under 10s, at the NSW State Cup. From there, he went on to compete at the Australian Championships for the Coastal Cobras in the Juniors and for the Vipers in Seniors.
This annual display of talent saw Field selected in consecutive NSW sides to play at the 2012 and 2013 Tri Series. He was also selected in the Under 16s Australian Team that travelled to New Zealand for the 2013 Trans Tasman Test Series, as well as the Under 18s side for the 2015 World Cup.
“It was unreal. To represent any sport in the Australian colours is something special. It was the first team I had ever played in for my country so it was definitely memorable,” Field said.
Growing up playing through the middle, Field acknowledges Oztag as an integral influence on his playmaking skills, contributing to where he is now.
Field made his NRL debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2017 and his recent Club debut for the Parramatta Eels in this year’s Round eight clash against the North Queensland Cowboys.
NRL immortal, Andrew Johns has recognised the importance of Oztag and non-contact sport in the development of young players.
“I’d encourage any young halfback to play as much touch footy and as much Oztag as they can to develop their craft without being bashed out of the game”, Johns told Sporting News.
“I agree with that 100%,” Field said
“In Oztag you have to make your decisions so quickly as a ball player because with the pace of the game, things are shut down so fast,”
“I think you hone your decision-making much quicker than what you would just playing league as a junior. At that age, you’re not really engaging the line, whereas in Oztag and Touch, you’re always at the line,” he said.
With 14 NRL games under his belt, Field is highly regarded for his speed and confidence with the ball. He had great pleasure in sharing his advice to young aspiring Oztaggers.
“Being a smaller kid, stick with your footy while playing your Oztag and Touch because it definitely makes your skills better,”
“Obviously you’re not going to be the most physical kid, but playing Oztag and Touch and learning new ways to kick, pass and step is going to help you in the long run when you grow a bit bigger,” Field said.
Field stopped playing Oztag at the age of 17, his last tournament being for the Vipers Under 20s at the 2015 Senior Australian Championships. He shared that he not only misses the game, but everything that came with it.
“You miss going away to tournaments with your mates, meeting new people and seeing friends that you make through other rep tams,” Field said.
IMAGE CREDIT: Jai Field
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)
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