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.
From August 7th to 10th, the C.ex International Stadium in Coffs Harbour played host to the International Tag Series 2025, bringing together over 30 nations in a vibrant celebration of heritage, pride, and elite tag competition. Despite some inconsistent weather, nothing could dampen the energy or the camaraderie that defined the weekend.
A Tournament Like No Other
The ITS serves as a unique platform for players to represent their heritage, blending sport with cultural pride. This year, the tournament doubled as a critical development event for emerging nations ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with no senior Tagaroo teams competing due to the earlier Trans Tasman competition. Junior Tagaroos featured in the boys and girls 16s and 18s divisions, getting their first taste of international competition and setting the stage for future glory.
Opening Ceremony Ignites the Crowd
The opening ceremony was a standout moment. A powerful showcase of heritage pride as each team marched onto the field, waving their flags with honour. The war cries and hakas from Samoa and Niue stirred the crowd, while the fierce face-off between Indigenous Australia and the New Zealand Stingrays gave goosebumps, setting the tone for an unforgettable tournament kickoff.
Fierce Competition and Memorable Matches
Competition over the weekend was fierce across multiple divisions. The Stingrays Men’s 20s and Mixed Seniors both captured titles in memorable fashion. Led by Tawana, the husband of the late Mele whose name was worn close to their hearts, the Stingrays fought with passion and heart. Tawana coached the Men’s 20s to victory and also played a pivotal role on the field securing the Mixed Seniors crown.
One of the tournament’s most thrilling moments came in the Mixed 20s Grand Final, where Samoa Australia clinched the win in the dying moments thanks to Karnye Thompson’s dramatic corner try. The Irish Exiles came into the tournament without a tournament win and ended up leaving with 3 medals across the Women’s 20s, Men’s 50s and their most dominat team Mixed Open’s. Their Mixed Opens team arguably one of the best teams all tournament emphasised by their convincing win over the Indigenous Australia side.
The China Women’s Opens made a strong statement as a dark horse heading into the World Cup, finishing undefeated and knocking off powerhouse teams including Australia Indigenous, Vietnam, and the Great Britain Exiles in the finals.
Great Britain emerged as the overall nations champions, a testament to their dominance as they featured heavily in finals across divisions.
Division Winners
Boys 16s: Australia
Boys 18s: Australia
Men’s 20s: New Zealand
Men’s Opens: Indigenous Australia
Men’s 30s: Indigenous Australia
Men’s 35s: Great Britain
Men’s 40s: Samoa Australia
Men’s 50s: Irish Exiles
Men’s 60s: Barbarians
Girls 16s: Australia
Girls 18s: Australia
Women’s 20s: Irish Exiles
Women’s Open: China
Women’s 27s: Great Britain
Women’s 37s: Indigenous Australia
Women’s 47s: Queensland Orchids
Mixed 20s: Samoa Australia
Mixed Opens: Irish Exiles
Mixed Seniors: New Zealand
Beyond the Field: Cultural Exchange and Legacy
The tournament was as much about cultural exchange as competition, with teams sharing traditions, war cries, and stories that enrich the ITS experience. The event attracted strong media coverage including NBN News and 7 Coast, amplifying the reach of this growing international event:
Looking forward, the ITS continues to be a vital stepping stone toward the 2026 Tag World Cup, helping emerging nations gain invaluable international experience and grow the sport worldwide.
Thank You
A huge thanks to all the teams, volunteers, officials, and partners who made the International Tag Series 2025 a success. Together, you’re building more than a tournament, you’re growing a global community united by heritage and the love of tag. If you are still missing the action, recap the tournament with all the photos here.
At every International Tag Event, we see moments of brilliance on the field. Tries, dives, and unforgettable plays, but it’s what happens off the field that often leaves the deepest impression.
This past weekend, the New Zealand Stingrays reminded us that ITS is more than just a tournament. It’s a place where connection, culture, and community shine through. A moment that captured this came when the NZ contingent unveiled a special jersey in honour of Mele Ta’ufo’ou Rhind a beloved member of the Stingrays whānau who sadly passed away earlier this year, in April.
The tribute was a surprise for her husband Tawana (Tee), the Stingrays’ Vice President, long-time Men’s 21s coach, and a cornerstone of the contingent. Unbeknownst to him, the team had been working behind the scenes to design a jersey that would carry Mele’s memory onto the field. At the heart of the design is a yellow heart, Mele’s favourite colour with her name at its centre. Her son William who will be lining up for the Men’s 21s side will also proudly rep the jersey, carrying not only his teams legacy but the memory of his mother into every match. William, Tee and the entire Stingrays club will now wear her over their hearts for the tournament.
Mele’s impact on the Stingrays cannot be overstated. She and Tawana ran TnM Sportswear, which has produced the Stingrays’ playing and supporter gear for the past two years. Beyond her work off the field, Mele was hands-on in the Stingrays program, serving as team manager for the Men’s 21s in 2024. Her steady presence and behind-the-scenes work supported not just Tawana, but dozens of players and staff who relied on her commitment and care.
The jersey tribute also features a whakataukī, a traditional Māori proverb, which has become a guiding message for the Stingrays:
I te pōuri o te pō
E pīata ana ngā whetū
Ko koe tērā
Tō mātou ipo
Kua rere ki runga 🕊️
Translation:
In the gloom of the night,
The stars shining,
We see you our beloved,
Who’ve flown to the heavens.
Lining the top V of the jersey, these words offer a powerful reminder that even in grief, we carry our loved ones with us. For the Stingrays, this jersey is more than a uniform, it’s a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and unity. It speaks to the idea that even in the darkest moments, our connections endure. We see our loved ones in the stars, in the game, and in each other.
“He Waka Eke Noa”a waka we are all in together, is another whakataukī that sits at the core of the Stingrays’ identity. It reminds us that the strength of this contingent lies in its togetherness. For the Stingrays, ITS is not just about competition, but about carrying culture, community, and loved ones.
As the tournament continues, the Stingrays will play with Mele close to their hearts. Her presence will be felt not just in yellow threads or poetic lines, but in every moment of pride, joy, and connection that defines this game.
For the first time in nearly a decade, Tonga will proudly return to the international Oztag arena with seven teams confirmed to attend the 2025 International Tag Series (ITS) this August.
After being absent from all international competitions since 2015, Tonga’s return is a major milestone not just for the players involved, but for the wider Tongan community, both in Australia and abroad. What began as a plan to enter two or three teams quickly grew beyond expectation following an overwhelming response to Expressions of Interest. Tonga will now be represented in Women’s Open, Women’s 20s, Mixed 20s, Mixed Open, Men’s 20s, Men’s Open, and Men’s 30s divisions.
Leading the Men’s 30s is Junior Lax Ahio, a former Tagaroos representative and co-captain of the Australian Men’s 30s team that won the 2023 Tag World Cup in Ireland. Now stepping into a player/coach role, Junior is embracing the opportunity to represent his heritage and play a vital role in re-establishing Tonga Oztag on the global stage.
“For me and my people, this is a huge achievement, something I didn’t think would ever happen,” Junior shared.
The road back hasn’t been easy. A lack of volunteers and resources had made it difficult for Tonga to sustain a representative pathway over the years. But with the 2026 Tag World Cup on the horizon, this ITS appearance is being seen as the first crucial step toward long-term growth and national representation.
“This return not only provides a rep pathway both locally and abroad,” said Junior, “but it gives aspiring young Tongans a platform to develop their skills, with hopes of one day making it to the NRL or NRLW.”
Looking forward, the team has ambitions to expand into more divisions by the World Cup, and discussions are underway around running development clinics in Tonga to nurture local talent and build a sustainable support network, similar to the impact Tonga has made in the international rugby league space.
Tonga’s return is more than a good news story. It’s a signal of what’s possible when culture, pride, and opportunity come together. We’re honoured to have them back.
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