The 2021 Junior National Champions have been crowned following an action-packed weekend of Oztag on the Coffs Coast.
For the first time since 2019, the country’s elite juniors travelled to Coffs Harbour to represent their region at the 2021 Junior Australian Championships.
The prestigious event kicked off on Friday 12 February, with 153 teams determined to take out their respective championship title.
The atmosphere was electric as spectators crowded the sidelines at both C.ex International Stadium and Geoff King Motors Oval.
Sunday’s Finals proved the magnitude of the game’s growth over the years, as numerous qualifiers resulted in a one-point difference or came down to an exhilarating extra time drop off.
The skill, speed and sheer talent among the young players filtering through our Junior systems is promising and makes for very entertaining games of Oztag.
For the first time, the Under 9s, 10s and Girls 11s played the new rules at representative level, which saw the game open up and create opportunities for these age groups.
The race for the 2021 Junior Region Champions title came down to the wire; but with nine teams qualifying for Grand Finals and five taking home gold, it was Central Coast Force who were crowned winners.
The West Sydney Tigers trailed closely in second, while the East Coast Orcas finished in third.
Below are the Grand Final results for each division. Congratulations to all 2021 Junior National Champions.
Boys 9s: Tigers defeated Orcas 4 – 3
Girls 9s: Orcas defeated Stingrays 2 – 1
Boys 10s: Miners defeated Central Coast 4 – 2
Girls 10s: Tigers defeated Orcas 4 – 1
Boys 11s: Stingrays defeated Tigers 5 – 0
Girls 11s: Orcas defeated Tigers 3 – 2
Boys 12s: Central Coast defeated Tigers 3 – 2
Girls 12s: Stingrays defeated Central Coast 2 – 1
Boys 13s: Central Coast defeated Tigers 6 – 2
Girls 13s: Tigers defeated Vipers 3 – 2
Boys 14s: Central Coast defeated Vipers 5 – 2
Girls 14s: Tigers defeated Central Coast 3 – 2
Boys 15s: Stingrays defeated Orcas 4 – 2
Girls 15s: Vipers defeated Orcas 4 – 2
Boys 16s: Orcas defeated Central Coast 4 – 3
Girls 16s: Central Coast defeated Vipers 6 – 2
Boys 17s: Central Coast defeated Stingrays 4 – 1
Girls 17s: ACT defeated Stingrays 5 – 2
For all tournament results, visit the Australian Oztag website or Sportfix.
To re-watch the Finals Day livestream, head to the Australian Oztag Facebook page.
The team at AO would like to thank everyone for making the 2021 Junior Australian Championships an enjoyable tournament for all involved.
Congratulations to all teams on your hard work and preparation.
Be sure to visit IBIMAGES for all tournament action shots. Log in using your Facebook or Google account.
Event log in and password:
Username: oztag
Password: 2022
See all Champions below
Tigers Boys 9sOrcas Girls 9sHunter Boys 10sTigers Girls 10sStingrays Boys 11sOrcas Girls 11sCentral Coast Boys 12sStingrays Girls 12sCentral Coast Boys 13sTigers Girls 13sCentral Coast Boys 14sTigers Girls 14sStingrays Boys 15sVipers Girls 15sOrcas Boys 16sCentral Coast Girls 16sCentral Coast Boys 17sACT Girls 17s
The stakes were raised on day two of the 2021 Junior Australian Championships, as players laid it all on the line to secure their position in Sunday’s Finals.
Day two of the Junior Australian Championships saw our up-and-coming talents take their game to the next level.
The wet conditions did not interfere with the exhibition of speed, skill, and endurance – proving testament to the preparation of all teams.
The number of close games throughout the tournament suggests that we are in store for some quality finals tomorrow.
The following teams still sit undefeated heading into Sunday’s Finals:
Boys 9s TIGERS (+23 differential)
Girls 11s ORCAS (+45 differential)
Boys 12s TIGERS (+20 differential)
Girls 12s STINGRAYS (+28 differential)
Girls 13s VIPERS (+25 differential)
Boys 14s TIGERS (+35 differential)
Girls 14s TIGERS (+35 differential)
Boys 15s ORCAS (+30 differential)
Boys 16s CENTRAL COAST (+44 differential)
Girls 16s CENTRAL COAST (+53 differential)
Girls 17s ACT (+32 differential)
The West Sydney Tigers have taken the lead ahead of the East Coast Orcas, with the most undefeated teams (four).
Keep up to date with all live results and fixtures via website or Sportfix.
Day one of the much-anticipated Junior Australian Championships has come to a successful conclusion, with the East Coast Orcas sitting as current front runners for region champions.
It was a great first day here at the Junior Australian Championships – marking the first National event since 2019.
This weekend, Australian Oztag welcome 11 regions, 153 teams and over 2000 players to the beautiful Coffs Harbour.
With unlimited spectators in attendance, the tournament atmosphere sure felt like it did prior to Covid restrictions.
In near perfect conditions, players took to the field with great excitement and were quick to apply their months of preparation in what were spectacular games of Oztag.
At the conclusion of day one, the East Coast Orcas continue their 2019 reign as the most dominate region, with seven undefeated teams across the 18 divisions. Tigers trail closely behind, with six.
The following teams all sit undefeated, putting them in a promising position heading into day two of the tournament.
Boys 9s Tigers
Girls 9s Orcas
Boys 10s Miners
Girls 10s Tigers
Boys 11s Miners
Girls 11s Orcas
Girls 11s Stingrays
Boys 12s Tigers
Girls 12s Stingrays
Boys 13s Orcas
Girls 13s Vipers
Boys 14s Tigers
Girls 14s Orcas
Girls 14s Tigers
Boys 15s Stingrays
Boys 15s Orcas
Girls 15s ACT
Girls 15s Orcas
Girls 15s Tigers
Boys 16s Central Coast
Boys 16s ACT
Girls 16s Stingrays
Girls 16s Central Coast
Girls 17s ACT
Girls 17s Orcas
Keep up to date with all live results and fixtures via our website or Sportfix.
Players will return tomorrow to lay it all on the line for their remaining round games before Finals commence on Sunday.
Congratulations to all on a sensational first day. AO look forward to seeing what Day Two has in store.
The NSW Senior City v Country showcased some exceptional Oztag on Saturday 29 January, with City crowned 2021 Champions.
After being postponed twice, the NSW Senior City v Country was given the green light to go ahead at Croome Sporting Complex, in Shellharbour on the NSW South Coast.
The much-anticipated tournament was the first NSW Oztag event since the state’s Covid lockdown in June last year.
The new tournament format saw a City and Country team in each division play off in a high-quality, three-game series.
Nominated from the Senior State Cup tournament in May 2021, City Country selection is an opportunity for players to merge with their region’s best and compete for the prestigious championship title.
City teams were represented by associations in the Sydney basin from Hornsby in the North, to Penrith in the West, Campbelltown in the South and over to the East Coastline. Any teams outside this border were Country.
Despite the Covid and weather-inflicted setbacks, teams took to the field with determination and camaraderie.
The standard of talent saw the tournament come down to the wire, with City claiming eight of the 14 titles, while Country claimed six.
The Men’s 30s could have gone either way with the first two games ending in a draw; however, a thrilling decider saw Country defeat City 3-2.
The Men’s 40s and Women’s Opens divisions also came down to a decider. In the Men’s 40s, City defeated Country 5-4, while in the Women’s Opens a similar outcome prevailed, with City only just defeating Country, 3-2.
City’s Men’s 20s, Women’s 20s, Mixed 20s, and Senior Mixed ended the day with a clean sweep, as did Country’s Women’s 40s and Men’s 45s.
2021 NSW Senior City v Country Series Champions:
Women’s 20s: City
Mixed 20s: City
Men’s 20s: City
Women’s Opens: City
Mixed Opens: City
Men’s Opens: Country
Mixed Seniors: City
Men’s 30s: Country
Women’s 40s: Country
Men’s 40s: City
Men’s 45s: Country
Men’s 50s: Country
Men’s 55s: Country
Men’s 60s: City
For all tournament fixtures and results, visit the Sportfix app or click here.
Congratulations to all teams on an outstanding tournament.
The Kiama Phantoms named Alex Boles the first recipient of the inaugural Darcy Bond Medal – in memory of the fun-loving Phantom representative.
The Kiama Oztag Phantoms and the wider Oztag community were devastated after the passing of 22-year-old, Darcy Bond in August last year.
Darcy was a passionate member of Kiama Oztag. He represented the Phantoms at State Cup level, the Vipers at Nationals and was also a current Australian Mixed 20s representative.
Pictured: Darcy Bond for the Vipers Men’s 20s
Pictured: Darcy Bond for the Australian Tagaroos Men’s 20s at the 2019 Invitational Challenge
In 2021, Kiama Oztag introduced the Darcy Bond medal – an annual award that recognises a senior representative player whose passion and devotion to the game reflects that of Darcy.
Kiama Oztag Licensee, Ross Thomas said that Darcy’s character made him the type of person everyone loved, and the type of player you wanted on your team.
“As a player, he not only had great skills, but he was just so positive… no matter what, he would lift people,” he said.
Thomas said Darcy contributed immensely to the club on a regular basis, whether it be refereeing, helping with administration or coaching representative sides.
“The comp would not have run as well as it did years ago and up until last year, without Darcy – he made the competition better,”
“He had that same positive, can-do attitude outside of playing… Not having that vibrant person around anymore is what’s so upsetting for me and so many in our community,”
“The Darcy Bond medal is an opportunity for our club to honour his memory,” he said.
Pictured: Bond Family at the presentation of the Darcy Bond Medal
Photo credit: Ross Thomas
At a special ceremony in Kiama, Thomas and the Bond family presented the inaugural medal to long-serving Phantom representative and good friend of Darcy’s, Alex Boles.
“I’m blown away, to be honest – it’s left me a little speechless,” Boles said during the presentation.
“It’s really special to receive the first-ever Darcy Bond Medal because he meant so much to both me and this great club,” Boles told the South Coast Register.
The first recipient of the Darcy Bond Medal, Alex Boles Photo credit: Ross Thomas
Each year, Phantoms coaches will gather at the NSW Senior State Cup and award the medal to a player from any senior team that reflects the same attitudes as Darcy.
“Both myself and the coaches will agree on a player who is upbeat, vibrant, encourages people and brings the team together; who may not be the best player but for example, attended all training sessions,” Thomas said.
“Whilst that recipient may not know Darcy personally, when we present the medal up there at State Cup, we will make sure everyone knows why this medal is so important and why it was named after Darcy,” he said.
Kiama Phantoms at the 2019 Senior State Cup Photo credit: Kiama Oztag Facebook Page
Darcy’s sister Whitney Schadel alongside husband, James have since launched The Elephant Crew – a mental health organisation that while helping people speak out about mental health issues, strives to make an impact on the current mental health system.
“We have values, we have goals, which are not just talk – it’s about turning that talk into action, like paying the gap for people who can’t afford to see a health professional – which in itself can sometimes take months,” James Schadel told the South Coast Register.
With the slogan ‘Life is better with you in it’, The Elephant Crew has also introduced their own merchandise with all proceeds going to a Darcy Bond memorial trust fund, which they hope will one day fund a mental health facility in Kiama.
Numbers to call if you or anyone you know needs help are:
Tournament Director, Luke Manahan has announced that the NSW Senior City v Country has been postponed to January, 2022 due to heavy rainfall.
The South Coast has experienced heavy rainfall over the last couple of days with more rainfall forecast today (9/12) and tomorrow (10/12).
The groundsman completed an inspection this morning & he indicated the fields were unplayable and would remain unplayable on Saturday.
Regardless, Wollongong Council have since closed ALL fields.
Therefore, Australian Oztag (AO) will postpone the tournament to Saturday 29 January, 2022 at Sid Parrish Park, Figtree NSW (same venue).
Contingency plans to move the venue were considered, however fields in those councils have also been closed & other options have been negated by cricket.
We also had to consider travel arrangements by players coming from regional areas – it’s important to give these players as much notice as possible.
AO’s goal is to play this tournament to give the selected players the opportunity to represent their region; hence the postponement to a new date.
However, if the tournament cannot be completed on the 29th January it will be cancelled & the rego portion of the player fee refunded.
Recent Comments