From August 7th to 10th, the C.ex International Stadium in Coffs Harbour played host to the International Tag Series 2025, bringing together over 30 nations in a vibrant celebration of heritage, pride, and elite tag competition. Despite some inconsistent weather, nothing could dampen the energy or the camaraderie that defined the weekend.
A Tournament Like No Other
The ITS serves as a unique platform for players to represent their heritage, blending sport with cultural pride. This year, the tournament doubled as a critical development event for emerging nations ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with no senior Tagaroo teams competing due to the earlier Trans Tasman competition. Junior Tagaroos featured in the boys and girls 16s and 18s divisions, getting their first taste of international competition and setting the stage for future glory.
Opening Ceremony Ignites the Crowd
The opening ceremony was a standout moment. A powerful showcase of heritage pride as each team marched onto the field, waving their flags with honour. The war cries and hakas from Samoa and Niue stirred the crowd, while the fierce face-off between Indigenous Australia and the New Zealand Stingrays gave goosebumps, setting the tone for an unforgettable tournament kickoff.
Fierce Competition and Memorable Matches
Competition over the weekend was fierce across multiple divisions. The Stingrays Men’s 20s and Mixed Seniors both captured titles in memorable fashion. Led by Tawana, the husband of the late Mele whose name was worn close to their hearts, the Stingrays fought with passion and heart. Tawana coached the Men’s 20s to victory and also played a pivotal role on the field securing the Mixed Seniors crown.
One of the tournament’s most thrilling moments came in the Mixed 20s Grand Final, where Samoa Australia clinched the win in the dying moments thanks to Karnye Thompson’s dramatic corner try. The Irish Exiles came into the tournament without a tournament win and ended up leaving with 3 medals across the Women’s 20s, Men’s 50s and their most dominat team Mixed Open’s. Their Mixed Opens team arguably one of the best teams all tournament emphasised by their convincing win over the Indigenous Australia side.
The China Women’s Opens made a strong statement as a dark horse heading into the World Cup, finishing undefeated and knocking off powerhouse teams including Australia Indigenous, Vietnam, and the Great Britain Exiles in the finals.
Great Britain emerged as the overall nations champions, a testament to their dominance as they featured heavily in finals across divisions.
Division Winners
- Boys 16s: Australia
- Boys 18s: Australia
- Men’s 20s: New Zealand
- Men’s Opens: Indigenous Australia
- Men’s 30s: Indigenous Australia
- Men’s 35s: Great Britain
- Men’s 40s: Samoa Australia
- Men’s 50s: Irish Exiles
- Men’s 60s: Barbarians
- Girls 16s: Australia
- Girls 18s: Australia
- Women’s 20s: Irish Exiles
- Women’s Open: China
- Women’s 27s: Great Britain
- Women’s 37s: Indigenous Australia
- Women’s 47s: Queensland Orchids
- Mixed 20s: Samoa Australia
- Mixed Opens: Irish Exiles
- Mixed Seniors: New Zealand
Beyond the Field: Cultural Exchange and Legacy
The tournament was as much about cultural exchange as competition, with teams sharing traditions, war cries, and stories that enrich the ITS experience. The event attracted strong media coverage including NBN News and 7 Coast, amplifying the reach of this growing international event:
Looking forward, the ITS continues to be a vital stepping stone toward the 2026 Tag World Cup, helping emerging nations gain invaluable international experience and grow the sport worldwide.
Thank You
A huge thanks to all the teams, volunteers, officials, and partners who made the International Tag Series 2025 a success. Together, you’re building more than a tournament, you’re growing a global community united by heritage and the love of tag. If you are still missing the action, recap the tournament with all the photos here.