New South Wales players in the above divisions can be considered for other divisions in which they are eligible for – however, their preference MUST be noted on their State Cup registration form prior to the tournament.
Australian Oztag congratulate all teams who competed at the NSW and QLD Junior State Cup tournaments, as well as the recent QLD Senior State Cup.
AO would like to wish all players the very best ahead of the NSW Senior State Cup and for their possible NSW origin selections.
Australian Oztag have updated the International Tournament Calendar, with the addition of the Australian Invitational Challenge.
The 2024 Australian teams to be announced in the coming week extend an invitation to countries and recognized ITF entities, to participate in the Australian Invitational Challenge (AIC) in August 2024 in Coffs Harbour.
On the back of a very successful International Tag Series in 2022, Australian Oztag will cater for the ever-increasing demand for more international tag. Therefore, the AIC will replace the formerly known Big 4 tournament.
The AIC Opening ceremony will be held on Thursday 1st August, with games to be played Friday, Saturday & Sunday (2-4 August).
Nominations for competing teams open February, 2024.
After a review of the International tournament calendar, the following events have been put in place:
August 2024: Australian Invitational Challenge – the 2024 Australian teams will invite countries and entities to take on the might of the Aussie teams.
March/April 2025: Trans Tasman Tour – the 2025 Australian teams to tour New Zealand.
August 2025: International Tag Series (ITS) – Countries & ITF sanctioned Entities to compete in Coffs Harbour, without the inclusion of Australian teams. The creation of this tournament gives others an opportunity without the Aussie teams, which have dominated the international scene.
Oztag’s State of Origin is set to make its long-awaited return in September, 2024.
The biggest rivalry in Australian sporting history is back on the Oztag calendar for 2024 – prepare as New South Wales take on Queensland in Oztag’s State of Origin.
C.ex Stadium, Coffs Harbour will play host to the two-day tournament, kicking off on Saturday 21 September, 2024.
For the first time in seven years, players from New South Wales and Queensland have the opportunity to represent their state amongst the best of the best.
From the Under 11s to the over 60s, players will be selected from their respective 2024 State Cup tournaments.
“It’s great to finally have State of Origin back on the Oztag calendar!” Tournament Director, Bill Harrigan said.
“The difference this time around, is the juniors and seniors will play over the one weekend, whereas in the past they played on separate days,”
“They’ll all be there, the best of the best from each state… You want to be a part of this one,” Harrigan said.
In exciting news for Queenslanders and Oztag players, Beach Oztag is set to meet Queensland shores in November, 2023.
Gold Coast Beach Oztag will take place at Greenmount Beach, Coolangatta Queensland on Saturday November 25 and Sunday November 26, 2023.
“This event has all the ingredients for success: high energy action, a beachside setting and the best Oztag competitors in Australia,”Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate said.
“Coolangatta is a beacon for great sport action and I applaud Major Events Gold Coast for securing our city as host of this Oztag carnival for the next two years,” Tate said.
The event will offer Senior & Junior divisions with Seniors to be played on Saturday and Juniors to follow on Sunday. Players and spectators can expect a vibrant, fun weekend with the inclusion of stalls, live music, bars & food trucks.
Tournament Director, Luke Manahan looks forward to bringing Beach Oztag to Queensland shores and is confident in the potential of the event to be something spectacular for years to come.
“Its exciting to be bringing Beach Oztag to the Gold Coast in 2023… The location has been brought up in discussion regularly over the years and with the success of Kiama and Maroubra Beach Oztag we thought now is the time,” Manahan said.
“The Gold Coast would have to be one of the most attractive destinations for holiday goers… Combining the Gold Coast Beaches with Oztag will be an event to mark down on the calendar each year,”
“We plan to build the two destinations in Kiama & Gold Coast as our premier Beach Oztag Events,” Manahan said.
Gold Coast Beach Oztag will also be the first joint initiative supported by the NRL who are actively helping grow the game.
Australian Oztag are pleased to announce the 2022 Tagaroos Captains and Ambassadors for the upcoming International Tag Series in August.
In two weeks’ time, players from around the country will be getting ready to take the field and represent their heritage at the 2022 International Tag Series (ITS) in Coffs Harbour.
Australian Oztag (AO) have today announced the Tagaroos Captains, Vice Captains and Ambassadors for the upcoming ITS tournament – set to be played from August 5-7, 2022.
This achievement is one of prestige and we sincerely congratulate the following Australian Representatives on their appointment.
AO National Director of Coaching and Development, Michael Buettner emphasised the merit behind this accolade and has no doubt that those selected will lead Australia with pride.
“Anytime you get to represent your country is a huge honour, but to be selected as a captain or ambassador really heightens the entire experience,” Buettner said.
“Having spoken to each and every one of these deserving individuals, they were truly humbled by the chance to lead the Tagaroos squad at the upcoming ITS tournament,” he said.
And the 2022 Captains, Justin Brown and Renee Fleming were exactly that – humbled by the opportunity.
“I’m very honoured and proud to be named captain, to represent your country at any sport is a huge honour – especially Oztag which has been such a massive part of my life both in sporting and social environments,” Brown said.
“It’s an absolute honour to be named captain and honestly came as a huge surprise to me… To be recognised in such an amazing way means a lot in the sport I love,” Fleming said.
The upcoming ITS tournament will mark the return of international competition after a long three years, due to COVID and subsequent travel restrictions.
Hence, in addition to leading their country, the pair are both looking forward to the elite nature of the tournament.
“I’m looking forward to competing and wearing the green and gold again, which I’ve always been proud to do,” Brown said.
“I can’t wait to compete at the highest level again and playing alongside friends I’ve made through the sport,” Fleming said.
Australian Oztag is delighted to announce that the Junior National Championships will see players competing at the tournament, have the opportunity to represent their country in 2023.
Australian Teams commonly referred to as the Tagaroos, will be selected from the Junior National Championships in the following divisions:
Under 16’s Boys and Girls
Under 18’s Boys and Girls
In addition to the Tagaroos teams being selected, there will also be a Rest of the World team selected in the same divisions who will then compete in a Big 4 International Tag Series (ITS) in March 2023.
The other 2 teams competing at the Big 4 ITS will be teams representing the Indigenous and Lebanese communities – making for a very competitive tournament, with some of Oztag’s emerging stars having the chance to shine at an International level.
With next year’s International Tag Federation World Cup being played in Ireland it was felt there needed to be something for our younger players to aspire to in terms of their representative careers, and this Big 4 ITS will see our game’s young stars have this opportunity.
Dates and Venue for the Big 4 International Tag Series are yet to be finalised, however it is proposed that a one-day tournament in Wollongong in mid-March is the likely scenario.
Players competing in the 14’s and 15’s age divisions will be selected for the Under 16’s and those in the 16’s and 17’s divisions will be selected for the Under 18’s.
We look forward to a some strong competition from players at the 2022 Junior National Championships as they strive for representative honours.
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