Junior Australian Championships: DAY 1 WRAP

Junior Australian Championships: DAY 1 WRAP

Day one of the much-anticipated Junior Australian Championships has come to a successful conclusion, with the Illawarra Steelers sitting as current front runners for Region Champions.   

Australian Oztag (AO) welcomed 164 teams to the 2022 Junior Australian Championships, in what proved to be a highly-competitive display of Junior Oztag.

Despite the spouts of rain, over 2600 players took to the field with fire in their belly – determined to apply their months of preparation.

The intensity, skill-level and sportsmanship on show made for a spectacular first day of competition here in Coffs Harbour.

At the conclusion of day one, the Illawarra Steelers are leading the race for Region Champions, with five teams across the 18 divisions sitting at the top of their table. Central Coast and West Sydney Tigercubs trail in equal second. 

The following teams currently sit undefeated, putting them in a promising position heading into day two of the tournament.

BOYS 9s

  • West Sydney Tigercubs
  • East Coast Orcas

GIRLS 9s

  • Stingrays
  • Wolverines

BOYS 10s

  • Sunshine Coast Sonics
  • West Sydney Tigercubs
  • ACT

GIRLS 10s

  • Wolverines

BOYS 11s

  • Hunter Miners
  • ACT
  • Central Coast

GIRLS 11s

  • West Sydney Tigercubs
  • East Coast Orcas

BOYS 12s

  • Central Coast
  • West Sydney Tigercubs
  • Stingrays

GIRLS 12s

  • East Coast Orcas

BOYS 13s

  • West Sydney Tigercubs
  • Central Coast

GIRLS 13s

  • Central Coast
  • West Sydney Tigercubs
  • Stingrays

BOYS 14s

  • Stingrays
  • Wolverines

GIRLS 14s

  • ACT
  • Central Coast

BOYS 15s

  • Illawarra Steelers
  • Central Coast

GIRLS 15s

  • Illawarra Steelers
  • West Sydney Tigercubs

GIRLS 16s

  • Illawarra Steelers
  • East Coast Orcas
  • Central Coast

BOYS 17s

  • Illawarra Steelers
  • East Coast Orcas
  • Metro South Magic

GIRLS 17s

  • Illawarra Steelers
  • Central Coast

Keep up to date with all live results and fixtures via our website or Sportfix

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AO look forward to what’s in store tomorrow, as teams will take their game to another level ahead of Sunday’s Finals.

Countdown to the Junior Australian Championships

Countdown to the Junior Australian Championships

Australian Oztag are set to welcome 167 teams from across the country, to the beautiful Coffs Coast for the annual Junior Australian Championships.

The Junior Australian Championships kicks off this Friday 14 October in Coffs Harbour, with over 2,600 players determined to claim the National title.

The tournament will see a total of 14 regions represented, and for the first time since 2019, these numbers include three Queensland regions.

Teams will play their round games over Friday and Saturday, across both C.ex Stadium and Geoff King Oval, before Sundays Finals converge at C.ex Stadium.

With teams well-prepared and eager to take the field, Australian Oztag (AO) anticipate an entertaining display of tenacity and skill.

The masterclass that is the West Tigers Girls 14’s are determined to claim their fifth consecutive national title, having won gold every year since their first tournament as Under 9s in 2017.  

Chasing three in a row, will be the Orcas Girls 12s, Central Coast Girls 17s and Stingrays Boys 12s.

The West Tigers Boys 14s will no doubt have their eyes set on re-claiming the title after finishing as runners up to the competitive Central Coast at last year’s tournament.

However, the division to watch is the Under 17s Boys and Girls. Not only are they eligible for Australian selection, but this will be their last ever Junior tournament – meaning they will leave everything on the field in hope of that fairytale ending.

Spectators can expect to see the same passion from the Under 14s through to 16s, as they too, will be vying for Australian selection.

This year will see Central Coast Force chase back-to-back Region Championships, with previous winners, West Sydney Tigers, determined to retrieve the title.

AO look forward to kicking off the most prestigious Junior tournament of the year, and wish everybody safe travels in the meantime.

Games will commence at 10am Friday with live fixtures and results via SportFix or our website.

Teams are encouraged to book in for their official team photograph with IB Images via their online booking system, which will place them in the priority system for action shots.

Livestream will be via the Australian Oztag Facebook page, with coverage kicking off at 8.30am on Sunday 16 October.

2023 ITF Tag World Cup Announcement

2023 ITF Tag World Cup Announcement

Australian Oztag have announced the official dates and selection policy for the 2023 ITF Tag World Cup in Limerick, Ireland.

Following the success of the International Tag Series in August, the Oztag community are now shifting their focus to the 2023 Tag World Cup (TWC), to be played in Limerick, Ireland.

The highly anticipated tournament will be the first time since the 2018 World Cup, that players from across the globe have the opportunity to come together and compete at an international level.

As advised by the International Tag Federation (ITF), Australian Oztag (AO) are pleased to announce the official dates, tournament venue and divisions for the 2023 TWC.

2023 ITF Tag World Cup Information

Dates: Wednesday 2nd August – Saturday 5th August, 2023

Location: Limerick, Ireland

Tournament Venue: University of Limerick

Divisions (13):

  • Mens, Womens and Mixed Under 21’s
  • Mens, Womens and Mixed Opens
  • Mens and Womens 30’s and 40’s
  • Mixed Seniors
  • Mens 50’s
  • Mens 60’s

AO have also released their official Selection Policy relative to the upcoming Senior Australian Championships in November. It is recommended that all players read the policy if they wish to be considered for selection.  

AO National Director of Coaching and Development, Michael Buettner said there is certainly a sense of anticipation and excitement for next year’s TWC in Ireland.

“There is no greater honour than to represent your country and to be apart of the first Tag World Cup in the Northern Hemisphere will definitely be something special for those players who get the opportunity,” he said.

With the 2022 Australian Championships being the basis for World Cup selection, AO have no doubt that it will be one of the strongest and most competitive displays of Oztag in years.

“Players are preparing themselves for an all-out assault at the National Championships in November, where teams for all 13 divisions will be selected,” Buettner said.  

The Oztag community can look forward to an exciting 12-months ahead, as we itch closer to departing the shores of Australia and travelling half way around the world to compete in a World Cup.

“Once in Ireland, the aim is to make the whole experience a once in a lifetime opportunity and hopefully one that all players and officials will never forget,” Buettner said.

2022 Tagaroos Captains and Ambassadors Announced

2022 Tagaroos Captains and Ambassadors Announced

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.

CAPTAINS:

Justin Brown – Men’s 40s

Renee Fleming – Women’s 30s

VICE-CAPTAINS:

Steve Plowman – Senior Mixed

Angela Jones – Women’s 40s

SENIOR AMBASSADORS:

Wayne Williamson – Senior Mixed Asst Coach & Men’s 60s Coach

Karen Breaden – Women’s 40s Coach

JUNIOR AMBASSADORS:

Cameron Keene – Boys 18s

Ella Carlisle – Girls 18s

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.

Junior Australian Championships Announcement

Junior Australian Championships Announcement

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.

Michael Buettner

National Director of Coaching and Development

NSW Senior State Cup: Finals Wrap

NSW Senior State Cup: Finals Wrap

The 2022 NSW Senior State Championships came to a successful conclusion in Coffs Harbour following three days of quality Oztag.

The much-anticipated tournament kicked off on Friday 24 June and welcomed 160 teams to Coffs Harbour – well-prepared and determined to take out the Championship.

A packed out C.ex Stadium saw spectators on the edge of their seats come Finals day, as numerous games resulted in a one-point difference or came down to exhilarating extra time drop offs.

Six-time Men’s Opens gold medallists, Homebush, were knocked out in the Quarter Final by Souths, who went on to defeat Penrith in a nail-biting Semi Final drop off.

Advancing to the Final, Souths met Central Coast – who came back from a 3-1 trail, to secure the long-awaited championship title, defeating Souths 4-3.  

Penrith Senior Mixed and Central Coast Men’s 40s both won gold for the third year in a row, while ACT Women’s 30s defeated reigning champions, Ryde, in a thrilling Grand Final drop off.

For the ninth consecutive year, finishing on 80 points, Central Coast Oztag have been crowned NSW Senior Club Champions.

Ten of their 13 teams qualified for Semi Finals, and the six who made the Grand Final, won gold.

In second place was Souths on 56 points, and in third was Cronulla on 36.

Below are the 2022 NSW Senior State Cup Grand Final results. Congratulations to all Champions.

Women’s 20s

Central Coast defeated Souths 5-3

Women’s Opens

Central Coast defeated Fairfield 4-1

Women’s 30s

ACT defeated Ryde Eastwood 2-1 in extra time

Women’s 40s

Central Coast defeated Cronulla 2-1

Mixed 20s

Souths defeated Cronulla 7-3

Mixed Opens

Souths defeated Sydney City 9-2

Mixed Seniors

Penrith defeated Picton 5-3

Men’s 20s

Baulkham Hills defeated Parramatta 7-5

Men’s Opens

Central Coast defeated Souths 4-3

Men’s 30s

Penrith 1 defeated Sydney City 3-2

Men’s 40s

Central Coast defeated Parramatta 5-2

Men’s 45s

Penrith

Men’s 50s

Central Coast defeated Souths 5-0

Men’s 55s

Kiama

Men’s 60s

Souths defeated Cronulla 2-1

For all tournament results, visit the Australian Oztag website or Sportfix.

Finals Livestream is still available on Facebook.

NSW Oztag would like to thank everyone for making the 2022 Senior State Championships an exceptional tournament for all involved.

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