The countdown is on for the third annual NSW Junior State Cup (9’s-11’s) to be played at Bass Hill from Thursday February 25 to Sunday February 28, 2021.
This tournament will welcome 28 associations, a record 122 teams and close to 4000 spectators over the course of the four days.
Enthusiasm is running high for all participating this weekend; especially eager is the Under 9’s divisions who will be playing their first State Cup tournament.
The Cronulla Boys 11’s will be chasing their third consecutive title this weekend, kicking off the tournament with a Grand Final re-match against Nepean on Thursday morning.
Also working towards a successive championship is the Souths Girls 11’s who have taken home gold since their first tournament in 2019, defeating Cronulla in every Grand Final.
Division 1 hot contenders:
Girls 10’s: Souths, Baulkham Hills, Nepean and Central Coast
Boys 10’s: Baulkham Hills, Sutherland, Central Coast and ACT
Girls 11’s: Souths, Cronulla, Baulkham Hills and Nepean
Boys 11’s: Souths, Cronulla, Parramatta and Nepean
After a promising 8-1 Division 2 Grand Final win over Liverpool last year, the Nepean Boys 10’s will be competing in Division 1 for the first time.
In a similar position is the Wollongong Boys 11’s who have made the transition after a tight 3-2 win over Tamworth in 2020.
Chasing a consecutive Club Championship title is Central Coast, sitting at 68 points after the Junior State Cup (12’s-17’s) in Coffs Harbour. Last year’s Runners Up, Baulkham Hills are closely trailing on 56 points and the 2019 Champions, Souths sit in third on 42 points.
The Under 11’s City v Country teams will be selected based on player performance this weekend. Coaches will be required to complete the Junior Rating Form and submit it by Wednesday 3 March, 2021.
For those unable to attend, be sure to tune in to the Live Stream on Friday (from 12pm), Saturday (from 10.50am) and Sunday (from 12pm), available on the Australian Oztag and NSW Oztag Facebook pages, as well as Cluch TV. Alternatively, keep up to date with the live fixtures on the SportFix App.
Australian Oztag (AO) wish to remind all attending about the restrictions in place this weekend, including the strict two-spectator rule, the inability to travel between zones if you do not have the corresponding wristband, and the need to vacate after the conclusion of your last game (no loitering).
The Junior State Cup (12’s-17’s) ran in Coffs Harbour was deemed a great success. The new format, which saw the tournament played across four days, five zones and two sessions was certainly favoured by many.
AO look forward to running another Covid-Safe event in the same format and crowning the remaining 2021 NSW Junior State Cup Champions.
Tournament Director, Luke Manahan addresses important tournament reminders in the video below.