Central Coast Oztag have secured their spot in the history books after being crowned NSW Senior Club Champions for the tenth consecutive year.
Since 2014, Central Coast Oztag (CCO) have claimed the NSW Club Champions title following the success of their teams at the Senior State Championships.
At the 2023 Senior State Cup, CCO had 12 teams qualify for Quarter Finals. Of these, eight progressed to Semis & four to the Grand Final, of which three took home gold.
Having competed in the 40s division, the Central Coast Women’s 50s were awarded gold in their respective age bracket – making it four championship titles for the club.
The club finished on 67 points, ahead of Penrith (62) and Souths (59).
CCO Licensee, Charmaine Ceeney is extremely proud of the club’s success, commending all those involved over the years.
“To achieve ten years as Club Champions, particularly with the increase in the competitiveness of the different divisions, is a credit to our coaching staff and players, not to mention the families involved too,” she said.
“We could not be prouder and more indebted to our players, many up there with the best in Australia and our coaching staff who give back to our Juniors lead by Dale Berg, Adam Carlisle and Dave Rose… Central Coast Oztag are lucky to have them as they are fantastic mentors within our sporting communities,”
When asked what has strengthened their senior teams over the years, Ceeney gave credit to the players’ willingness to give back to the junior program – to develop those coming through the ranks and foster their love for the game.
“We have had great success with a lot of players selected to represent at the highest level and are able to share the knowledge and experience with our junior teams,” Ceeney said.
“Some players then transition into the Senior program with up to ten years’ experience being coached by the best players in the game,”
“Junior players also have access to the Senior teams training, mostly done at the same venue on weekdays and weekends,” she said.
Many of CCO’s players and coaching staff also help at local competitions – as referees, competition managers or administration.
Ceeney is extremely proud of the culture instilled in the club. With the motto, ‘Healthy Communities through Sport’, Ceeney is confident that the social aspect of the game has largely contributed to the incredible club culture at CCO.
“Our players have developed the club culture over the past twenty to thirty years… For us, it is a great opportunity to continue to develop social connections within the community,” she said.
“Each week, we have our teams playing each other at training… These matches are generally very competitive and helps with players transitioning between teams as well,”
“We do have a great feel around families all being involved too – it’s not uncommon to see whole families come down to training sessions or tournaments and seeing the children playing their own games on the side,”
“There are not too many sports that can have this social aspect and is a credit to what Perry has created… Having the opportunity to play into your 50s and 60s, is something not too many players in other sports have the opportunity to do,” Ceeney said.
Congratulations Central Coast Oztag on such a milestone achievement – a decade of club success at a senior representative level.
NSW Oztag
IB Images (Official Tournament Photographer)
Central Coast Oztag