For the second year, the tournament will be run in a Covid-safe manner over its three-day duration. It will be split into two sessions (A.M. and P.M.) and will be segregated into five zones, across C.ex Stadium and Geoff King Rugby Fields.
The Conditions of Entry details Australian Oztag’s Covid-19 Safety Plan and all relevant guidelines.
The significant difference from this tournament to past tournaments is all divisions will play 30-minute games for the duration of the tournament.
This decision had to be made to fit the tournament within the scheduled three days due to AO’s Covid Safety Plan and the increase in the number of teams entering this year.
In 2019, 197 teams entered, and in 2021, there will be a record of 246 teams participating.
Tournament Director, Bill Harrigan commented on this significant change, intrigued as to how the players will respond.
“It’s great to see more teams entering, but with Covid restrictions in the size of gatherings still enforced, it was a difficult task to fit the tournament over three days,” Mr. Harrigan said.
“So, I look forward to getting the feedback from teams on the new 30-minute game format,” he said.
As local businesses work to get back on their feet following Covid’s harsh impact on tourism, AO encourage all attending the event to pay a visit to local shops and restaurants in Coffs Harbour.
It has been advised that individuals and teams secure their bookings in advance.
The 2021 NSW Secondary Schools Championships details have been released following the recent Government announcement on the return of Interschool Sport.
Below are the confirmed dates and venues for the regional tournaments, which will act as qualifying events for students in years 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12 across the state.
As stated in the Tournament Information, each regional winner and runner up will gain automatic entry into the NSW Champion of Champions to be held in July, Term 3.
The team at NSW Oztag are excited to announce two new regions this year with Coffs Coast and Southern Highlands adding to our ever-growing NSW Schools Championships which now sits at 13 regions.
Is this something you want your school to enter?
Do you want the chance to go up against the best Oztag schools across the state and have the opportunity to make the 2021 Secondary Schools NSW team?
To enter your school, a teacher must download the Nomination Form and email the completed form to jordan@oztag.com.au. Submission and full team payment must be made two weeks prior to the event.
The Secondary Schools Championships will be strictly run to comply with Government regulations and NSW Oztag’s Covid Safety Plan to ensure the safety of all involved.
On January 18, 2021 the NSW Government announced the recommencement of School Sport state-wide.
Both Primary and High schools have been granted health advice on minimising the risk of Covid-19 transmission within NSW school communities while encouraging sport participation.
“Interschool sport and physical activity can recommence. This means that schools and students may now travel outside their local community,”
“Zone carnivals (swimming, cross country, athletics), round robins and gala days involving more than one school, can also recommence,”
“External providers can be used for sport and physical activity programs provided they have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place.”
Australian Oztag (AO) are pleased to announce the return of NSW Oztag Interschool tournaments, clinics, and gala days. This includes:
NSW Secondary School Regional Tournaments – open to all schools (private and public) for both boys and girls (year 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12 combined).
The Champions and Runners up in each division are invited to the Champion of Champions tournament, where a NSW Merit team will be selected.
Internal Primary School Clinics – can be privately organised to promote the game and improve skills.
Primary School Gala Days – competitive tournament run over one day. The three locations for 2021 are Western Sydney, South Coast and Sydney East.
NSW Regional tour – 2021 Far North West Regional Tour, including Tamworth, Warialda and Coonabarabran. Will include visits to Primary schools and associations.
AO have advised that the 2021 dates and areas will be released in the coming weeks. Please keep an eye on our website and socials for updates and announcements.
We encourage associations to assist with promotion and attend School sport tournaments and gala days to advertise their local competition.
If interested, please ask your school to contact our staff. We will not accept enquiries from parents or students.
Alternatively, recommend our programs to schools in your area and encourage their participation at interschool tournaments and gala days.
AO are on the hunt for new referees willing to work at our NSW school tournaments in 2021. Such events will be mid-week – ideal for Uni and School students available in the middle of the day. If interested, please email jordan@oztag.com.au.
The 2020 Senior State Cup saw two Penrith teams go head-to-head for the Championship title in the Senior Mixed Grand Final on Sunday, November 1.
Penrith Oztag Senior Mixed 1 headed comfortably into the Grand Final having ran undefeated all weekend before defending this reign against Tamworth in an 8-3 semi-final win.
After only one loss in the round games, Penrith Senior Mixed 2 fought to the death in a tight semi-final against Port Macquarie, taking out a 10-9 victory.
Come the Grand Final, friendships were set aside and the teams laid their bodies on the line for each other until the final hooter went.
Penrith Senior Mixed 1 were crowned champions after a startling 15-3 win.
Gallery Credit: Penrith Oztag Facebook Page
Penrith Oztag Licensee, Jamie Howard could not be prouder of the performances of their Senior Mixed teams at State Cup.
“It was very special indeed. Every team goes away to State Cup planning on making the Grand Final, to have both teams make it was beyond anyone’s wildest dreams,” Howard said.
For an association to have two strongly competitive teams in one division is rare. Upon reflecting on the teams’ preparation, Howard put their success down to a combination of factors.
“We have a group of very dedicated players who are committed not only to doing the best they can but are committed to each other,” he said.
“The key to the success of both teams was the Coach of our Senior Mixed 1 team, Jarrod Mostowick,”
“It was his vision that got the team up and running in the first place and he drove and supported the creation of the second team last year. Without his vision, commitment and drive I don’t think either team would have been as successful as they were,” he said.
The strength of Penrith Oztag’s local competitions were also deemed a contributing factor.
“We have a very strong Mixed competition, which has led to our Mixed Rep teams being strong across the board,” Howard said.
“Not only did our Senior Mixed teams finish first and second, but our Mixed Opens team also won and our Mixed 20’s team were Runners Up,” he said.
Mixed Opens Champions
Mixed Senior Champions
Mixed Senior Runners Up
Howard is confident that the future of Penrith Mixed is bright, with a strong pathway for players to transition through from 20’s all the way to Senior Mixed.
With the tournament postponed due to COVID, teams were deprived of adequate training opportunities. However, the Penrith Senior Mixed teams committed themselves to plenty of joint training sessions and opposed games in the lead up to the tournament.
“It is a credit to both teams that they were able to remain dedicated through such a difficult year,” Howard said.
It is clear that Penrith Oztag pride themselves on their club culture, having always encouraged the involvement of families across their teams.
Photo Credit: Penrith Oztag Facebook Page
“Our Senior Mixed 1 team have many players who are family members and there are countless teams in our local competition who are family based,” Howard said.
“When someone plays our sport, we want not just them, but their friends and family to enjoy everything that we have to offer,” he said.
Despite some personnel changes, both teams are set to return for the upcoming 2021 NSW Senior State up in March. With a number of clubs announcing very strong Senior Mixed teams, Penrith Oztag are looking forward to the challenge.
Australian Oztag have released details for the NSW Junior State Cup Under 12-17s (Coffs Harbour) and Under 9-11s (Sydney)to be played in February, 2021.
The current tournament restrictions are in place to comply with Government regulations and the Australian Oztag (AO) Safety Plan.
The most critical change is the maximum gathering capacity increased from 500 to 3000 persons in one area – providing it is large enough to still adhere to the one person per two square metre rule.
The implementation of zones will ensure compliance with such restrictions and allows for adequate COVID tracing requirements.
To allow parents to plan their accommodation and travel in more detail, AO have announced the allocated sessions for each age/division. See below.
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