The Oztag community returned to the ever-welcoming Coffs Harbour for the first tournament since COVID-19, the inaugural NSW Senior State Cup.
Considering the disruption caused to Oztag competitions and training schedules this year, there was plenty of talent on display over the weekend.
Teams adjusted well to the unfamiliar game on, game off format; the exhibition of speed, skill and endurance was testament to the preparation of all teams.
The perfect conditions set the tone for a quality tournament, with congratulations owed to the crowned Champions:
Men’s 20s
Div 1 – Souths
Div 2 – Fairfield
Men’s Opens
Div 1 – Homebush
Div 2 – Central Coast
Men’s 30s
Div 1 – Picton
Div 2 – Fairfield
Men’s 40s
Central Coast
Men’s 45s
Central Coast
Men’s 50s
Central Coast
Men’s 55s
Central Coast
Men’s 60s
Souths
Mixed 20s
Div 1 – Souths
Div 2 – Macarthur
Mixed Opens
Div 1 – Penrith
Div 2 – Homebush
Mixed Seniors
Penrith
Women’s 20s
Souths
Women’s Opens
Div 1 – Fairfield
Div 2 – Newcastle
Women’s 30s
Central Coast
Women’s 40s
Tamworth
For all tournament fixtures and results, visit the Sportfix app or click here.
Australian Oztag (AO) were extremely pleased with the running of the tournament having been the first of its kind; with players and officials to be humbly commended for their compliance with regulations.
The response to the tournament’s format, including zones and the game on/game off configuration, was overwhelmingly positive, with many associations requesting that AO maintain that format in the future.
Prior to COVID-19, the tournament was set to welcome a record-breaking 219 teams. However, for various reasons many had to withdraw, leaving 148 teams to compete.
AO look forward to the return of all teams next year for the 2021 NSW Senior State Cup.
Brighton-Le-Sands Public School (BLSPS) have introduced an intra-school Oztag competition to compensate for the cancellation of all PSSA sport this year, allowing students the opportunity to keep active with a ball and tags in hand.
BLSPS Staff member, Jo Williams was the brains behind the operation and was adamant to get the competition up and running after what was an uncertain chain of events.
“Due to the pandemic, all PSSA sports and school carnivals were cancelled for this year. But towards the end of Term two, Botany Bay PSSA decided to proceed with a ‘friendly’ competition for schools in our region,” Jo said.
“BLSPS held our own school trials for Oztag, Netball and Soccer. Oztag ended up with around 100 students trialing, which was significantly more than any of the other sports,” she said.
“Early Term three, we finalized our Oztag kids and ended up with 80 students who instantly began returning their forms and bus fare payments. The following week, after the Victoria situation, Botany Bay PSSA then decided not to proceed with the planned ‘friendly competition’,” Jo said.
As payments had started been processed and permission to use certain fields had been granted, BLSPS decided to continue with their own friendly intra-school team sports program.
With only 5 students opting out of the expense, the program ended up with enough interest to make 8 teams (4 Junior, 4 Senior).
The competition got students from Years 3-6 involved, many of which had never participated in a school team previously. Their excitement is a direct result of the non-competitive atmosphere and the opportunity to play with friends.
Image credit: Tracey McKinniery
“The kids get the experience of travelling by bus to the fields and are predominantly playing in mixed teams with a mixture of ability levels. We were also able to team them up with their friends, which doesn’t always work out for regular PSSA teams,” Jo said.
The kids get about an hour of playing time through two 30-minute games.
Image credit: Tracey McKinniery
St George Junior Oztag “Dragontag” Area Manager, Michelle Anderson attends the BLSPS intra-school sports program every week to help out with refereeing and on-field support.
Michelle runs an after-school Junior competition, known as “Dragontag” at Scarborough Park, Kogarah, played on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Dragontag is also played at Gannons Park, Peakhurst on Tuesdays. The 2020 Summer competition is set to kick off in the second week of October.
Australian Oztag staff look forward to continuing their visits to the BLSPS intra-school Oztag competition, to see the young local talent and help kids better understand the game.
Australian Oztag’s routine visits to local associations continue to prove the professionalism and diligence of our clubs, with commendable Covid play reported at Norwest, South West and Wollongong Oztag associations.
On Tuesday August 18, Australian Oztag (AO) staff visited Norwest Oztag, run by Rob Hutton and Tammy at Woodcroft Oval.
NSW General Manager, Luke Manahan said their compliance with the Covid Safety Plan was great.
“Refs were given a clipboard to sign on each team before kickoff, with games shortened to 15-minute halves, straight turnaround to avoid players standing in groups,” Luke said.
A break between games allowed players to filter in and out of the grounds safely, while Tammy patrolled games with a vest on to ensure there were no spectators.
The admin area had sufficient Covid signage and a Perspex screen separating the managers from anyone who came up.
Woodcroft Oval competition managers, Rob and Tammy.
The following night, AO staff made their way to Southwest Oztag at Elizabeth Reserve, Narellan Vale. Licensees, Paul and Caroline, aswell as competition managers, Ross and Michelle have been commended for having the best Covid plan to date.
Luke said they had all gates closed and only one entry point where all players had to be marked off upon arrival and had to sanitise before entering.
“There were strictly no spectators. Michelle stood at the entry gate allowing only players into the venue,” Luke said.
Once games kicked off, all gates were shut. Ross & Michelle walked around the fields in bright vests and signed on players, while ensuring hand sanitizer was used efficiently.
“All referees had their own hand sanitizer which they use on their hands and the ball. And players even received their own sanitizer,” Luke said.
Upon the conclusion of games, players filtered out through the exit gate at the other end of the fields – allowing for a safe transition of timeslots.
Southwest Oztag Entry point at Elizabeth Reserve
Southwest competition manager, Ross (left) pictured with AO staff, Jordan and Luke.
Along with these two inspections, AO visited Wollongong Oztag on Wednesday September 2. NSW Oztag Development Officer, Jordan Hollis said they implemented a strong Covid safety plan.
“They ran a very tight ship, with sanitizer and wipes on standby,” Jordan said.
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.’
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.
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