South Sydney Senior Oztag continues to stand out as one of the most vibrant and community-focused competitions in New South Wales. With packed weeknight competitions, a family-driven leadership team and a culture built on fun, respect and connection, Souths has grown into a true hub for players across the region.
A Competition With Something for Everyone
Souths runs a thriving weekly competition on multiple nights that consistently draws big numbers and a strong mix of players. The atmosphere is one of its defining qualities that are energetic, social, and welcoming, while still offering high-quality and competitive Oztag across every division. Players describe it as the perfect balance between serious football and a fun night out, with a community vibe that keeps teams coming back season after season.
A Club Built on Culture, Family and Community
South Sydney Senior Oztag has a long and rich history. Originally founded in the early 1990s by Gary Rugless, the association was later run by the Hardy family for nearly two decades. Today, Souths is proudly operated by the Lo family, Justin “Chubbs” Lo and Michelle Lo, with their children Natasha and Jake playing key roles.
Chubbs has been running the comp for close to 20 years and officially took ownership of the association last year.
He shared:
“Souths started in 1992 by Gary Rugless, then Jeff Hardy ran it for close to 20 years. Now I’m the lucky owner.”
“What makes Souths so special? The community vibe. Everyone is happy to be here, there’s no beef, and players genuinely look after each other.”
“My goal is to keep growing the competition, we had to knock back almost 30 teams this season because demand is so high. It’s a strong playing area and that filters straight into the rep scene. The mix of representative players and social teams makes it a welcoming competition for all.”
Leading the Way With More Female Referees
One of the club’s standout strengths is its referee team particularly the high number of female referees.
Long-time referee Zara Clark reflected on what makes Souths special:
“I’ve been reffing at Souths for about five years. What makes it so special is the atmosphere, the people, the crew behind the desk.”
“What keeps me coming back? The players. Their energy, how they carry themselves, and how they look after one another.”
“I’m proud to be a female ref in this comp especially when there are more female than male referees here.”
This positive, inclusive environment continues to set Souths apart as a leader in community sport. NSW Oztag is proud to have a 40% female participation rate, and it’s encouraging to see that reflected in our referee community as well because without our referees, we wouldn’t have a sport at all.
Creativity, Fun and Community Engagement
South Sydney Senior Oztag deserves credit for showing genuine creativity and initiative in the way they run their competition and engage with their community.
Their social media presence is funny, engaging and authentically Souths, with creative content that perfectly reflects what Oztag is all about: community, fun and culture. They’ve also taken their Instagram to the next level by working with professional photographer Blotography to capture high-quality moments from the competition, so be sure to give them a follow for shots from the comp.
They’ve also built a great partnership with The Lakes Hotel, who sponsor a weekly “Team of the Week” promotion. Teams spin a wheel for a $200 voucher, adding a fun off-field element that players love and making Souths one of the most engaging associations on social media.
Souths has also recently welcomed Drummond Golf Alexandria and Big Swing Golf Alexandria as club sponsors for the next two years, further strengthening their support network and helping the association continue delivering a high-quality competition experience for their players.
A Thriving, Welcoming and Growing Community
With demand so strong that teams are being waitlisted, South Sydney Senior Oztag is clearly a thriving and highly respected association.
Their blend of competitive Oztag, social connection, family leadership and inclusive referee culture makes them a model for what a local competition can be.
NSW Oztag congratulates Chubbs, Michelle, their family and the entire Souths community for building something truly special, both on and off the field.
