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.
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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.
On Friday December 11 2020, Oztag’s elite juniors attended the prestigious High Performance Academy (HPA) Camp at the NSW Academy of Sport in Narrabeen.
Selected from the NSW Junior City v Country tournament, these players were recognised as future prospects of our sport and granted the opportunity to learn from Oztag’s elite coaches.
The HPA Camp involved high level coaching of specific skill and conditioning drills, an introduction to tournament preparation and recovery to optimise performance, game analysis through an in-depth video session, and a fun games night.
The weekend culminated with 3 games against each other, allowing players to implement the principles and coaching provided throughout the training sessions into game situation.
AO National Coaching Director and HPA Supervisor, Michael Buettner was very pleased with the running of the Camp and the opportunities provided to the game’s up and coming elites.
“It was a huge success,” Buettner said.
“The 52 players were provided with some of the best coaching our game has to offer including the Australian Men’s Opens coach Jeff Coroneos, Australian Oztag Hall of Famer David Rose and our very own Mark Gasnier,” he said.
On Saturday, the players were welcomed by former Knights and Bulldogs NRL player, Jack Cogger who encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity and like a sponge, absorb all of the coaches advice.
Aged between 13 and 15, the squad have been commended for the wealth of skill and attentiveness they displayed throughout the duration of the Camp.
“The players should be very proud of the way they behaved and responded to the high expectations placed on them by the coaches,” Buettner said.
“It was great to see the talent on show and how quickly they picked up advanced coaching techniques and then were able to apply them to a game situation,” he said.
On Sunday afternoon, Brisbane Broncos NRLW Premiership winner Jayme Fressard presented the players with their trophies. She spoke of her career with the Broncos and competing at the Commonwealth Games in 2015 in Rugby 7’s and how Oztag helped her in developing the skills to compete at a professional level.
The 2020 HPA Camp ensured Oztag’s future prospects headed home with a greater understanding of game specifics that will benefit them in their future endeavors.
“From what I saw the future of Australian Oztag is looking bright and I would expect to see a large percentage of the players at the HPA represent their country in the very near future,” Buettner said.
Australian Oztag thank all the parents, players, staff and coaches for their efforts over the weekend. To the NSW Academy of Sport in Narrabeen – the facilities were ideal, and a special mention to the players from the ACT who travelled 4 hours to attend the Camp.
Australian Oztag is proud to announce the players selected for the 2020 High Performance Academy, a prestigious opportunity that see’s the development of Oztag’s junior elites.
Selected from the NSW Junior City v Country Tournament held last weekend in Wollongong, these players have been identified as having the potential to be the next generation of superstars.
The High Performance Academy (HPA) targets the 14 and 15 year-old age groups, providing them the opportunity to be coached by some of Oztag’s elite coaches.
The following players will attend the HPA Camp which will take place at the NSW Academy of Sport in Narrabeen from December 11 to December 13, 2020.
Introduced in 2019, the inaugural HPA was deemed a major success. Players came from across the nation to learn from the best and enhance their game.
HPA Coach, Stephen Butler
Due to Covid-19, Australian Oztag (AO) unfortunately could not invite QLD players to this year’s HPA Camp. ACT’s players were however nominated by the association, with a few extra talents selected at this year’s Junior City v Country.
Oztag Founder, Perry Haddock gave insight into his confidence in the program and is eager to work with this selected squad of elite juniors.
“We’ve compiled some great coaches to work at the elite Oztag High Performance Academy and we have no doubt that the players will have a lot of fun and improve their Oztag skills,” Haddock said.
“Congratulations to each and every one of the players on their selection and we look forward to welcoming you to the Narrabeen Sports Academy in December,” he said.
From outlining the specifics of player roles and positions, to maximizing athletic performance and partaking in a variety of skill and conditioning drills, the squad will be treated like elite athletes.
The focus of the camp is to encourage the transfer of knowledge into game situations among the future prospects of our sport.
All players selected will receive full HPA kit allocation, accommodation and meals, covered by Australian Oztag for the duration of the camp.
AO congratulate all 52 players on their selection in 2020’s eminent HPA squad.
2019 HPA Camp at the NSW Academy of Sport, Narrabeen
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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