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.
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.
AO General Manager, Bill Harrigan has released a statement following the NSW Government’s recent announcement on the return to community sport at 80% double vaccinations.
Hi Everyone,
Great news is Oztag will be back in 2021.
After the NSW Government announcement on Monday, what we do know is this:
Community sport will return after we hit 80% double vaccinations in the community of 16 years of age and above (mid to late October).
We know it is only for double vaxxed people until the 1st of December. This will include parents and spectators only attending if double dosed. From the 1st, all can participate & attend.
We must abide by the one person per 2 square metres or capped at 5000 people if the venue is big enough.
There has been no mention of the ages allowed to return, only that we can return when double vaxed hits 80% of the people 16 and above.
So the questioned is asked, can under 16’s play without being double vaxed? We have asked the question and waiting on confirmation.
I read it as over 16 must be double vaxed and under 16 don’t but can return. TBC
Therefore Oztag associations are gearing up to return to play for Summer 21/22.
You will need to search your local associations social media or website for details on when they will start and their registration protocols.
You can find websites via oztag.com.au & search locations.
We will continue to update detail as we are informed.
AO General Manager, Bill Harrigan has released a statement in response to the NSW Government’s recent announcement regarding the ease of restrictions, subject to vaccination rates.
“Today, the NSW Government hinted there will be a further ease of restrictions when NSW hits 70% vaccinations in mid-October. They also said they expect to open up international travel in mid-November if we hit 80% vaccinations.
Therefore, there can be an expectation that community sport may be allowed to resume. It will probably come with restrictions like we saw last year when we returned to sport after the first lockdown. E.g. limited numbers within areas, no spectators etc. We should also consider that the Government may restrict sport to only fully vaccinated people.
So, Australian Oztag encourages its players to get vaccinated in readiness for a potential return to sport this year. We also acknowledge people have a choice but if the Government restrict participation to only fully vaccinated, we must comply.”
The 2021 NSW Secondary School Regionals set the bar high for this year’s Champion of Champions, which has been announced postponed due to NSW Health regulations.
From March to June, NSW Oztag ran tournaments in ten regions across the state, allowing Secondary Schools the opportunity to compete for their regional title and secure an invitation to the prestigious Champion of Champions.
2021 marks the fourth year of Champion of Champions – an event that will see 115 of the best Secondary School teams play off over two days for the All-Schools State title.
The event was set to be held on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 July, 2021 at the Kingsway Playing Fields, Werrington.
However, due to the extension of the NSW Government Stay at Home Order across Greater Sydney, including Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour, the tournament has been postponed.
NSW Oztag are currently rescheduling the 2021 Champion of Champions to a date later in the year.
Tournament Coordinator, Jordan Hollis said that the date will likely be in Term Four, with the intention to work around the High School Certificate.
“It’s unfortunate that we are unable to run our biggest school competition in these current times, but it gives us something to still look forward to later in the year,” he said.
“The new date and venue will be confirmed once we gain more clarity on School Sport protocol,”
“The rescheduled event will remain a two-day tournament; teams will still play 6 round games, followed by qualifying Finals,” Hollis said.
Selectors will be present over the two days of competition and will name six NSW teams to verse ACT in a first of its kind inter-state School Championships.
Hollis said that as the game continues to filter through schools, the competition broadens and with that comes a greater standard of Oztag.
“With region sizes growing and new regions wanting to compete, I think this year’s Champion of Champions will be of the highest quality we’ve seen in schools to date,” Hollis said.
Hollis is delighted with the growth of the event and the opportunity it presents to Oztag’s rising stars in a school environment.
“Our first Champion of Champions event in 2017 saw 47 teams from across the state compete, this year we have 115,” Hollis said.
“Oztag is so popular among teens, so it’s great that high schools are giving students the opportunity to showcase their talent and receive recognition for it,” he said.
Champion of Champions invitations were extended to all regional Grand Finalists; both winners and runners up from the six divisions – Boys Year 7/8, Boys Year 9/10, Boys Year 11/12, as well as Girls Year 7/8, Girls Year 9/10 and Girls Year 11/12.
Secondary School Regional tournaments were held at the following ten regions:
The NSW Government have announced the extension of the current Public Health Order until 11:59pm Friday 16 July, 2021.
Following updated health advice, the NSW Government Stay at Home Order across Greater Sydney including Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour has been extended another week, until 11:59pm on Friday 16 July.
While such restrictions are in place, community sport (training or a match) cannot proceed in these areas. Head to Sport NSW for more information.
The return to community sport across Greater Sydney including Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour Local Government Areas (LGAs) will be subject to NSW Health advice.
The current restrictions in place across the remainder of NSW have also been extended until this time (11:59pm Friday 16 July). NSW Health detail what you can do in rural and regional NSW.
NSW Oztag are pleased that competitions outside the lockdown areas are able to continue play, however their Covid Safety Plan must be updated and enforced to adhere to current restrictions.
Any player residing or working in the lockdown areas must not attend ANY competition still running outside the lockdown areas.
Any player feeling unwell is encouraged to not attend their local competition during this time.
Associations across Greater Sydney including Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour have been advised to update their Covid Safety Plans and ensure they are ready for immediate use when community sport returns in these LGAs..
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your association directly.
NSW Oztag will continue to monitor the NSW Health regulations in conjunction with Sport NSW and will keep the Oztag community updated as necessary.
Recent Comments