by benj | Aug 14, 2025 | Latest News
Each SSR tournament acts as a direct qualifier for the highly anticipated Champions of Champions, set to take place August 26–27 at the Central Coast Regional Sporting & Recreation Complex. With the event just around the corner, excitement is building as the grand finalists from every division are invited to compete for state honours.
The top two teams from each division (champions and runners-up) across every region will earn a coveted spot at this season finale. The Champions of Champions brings together the very best school teams from across the state for two days of elite competition and celebration of the school tag calendar.
Regional Rundown
Majority of the regional tournaments are now completed & SSR tournaments were held in the following regions:
Western Sydney Regional – [07/05]
The Western Sydney Regional delivered high-quality matchups and some emerging rivalries, with St Dominic’s College putting in a dominant showing across the boys’ divisions. Featuring in all three boys grand finals, St Dom’s walked away with the Year 11/12 title after a strong win over Model Farms High School.
A notable rivalry may have been born, as Patrician Brothers College Blacktown clashed with St Dominic’s in both the 7/8 and 9/10 Boys divisions, claiming victory in both and stamping their mark as a team to watch leading into Champions of Champions.
In the girls’ competitions, Gilroy Catholic College took out the 7/8 title with a commanding 4-0 win, while Hills Sports High and Magdalene Catholic College each grabbed wins in the 9/10 and 11/12 divisions, respectively.
Western Sydney Results
Year 7/8 Girls – Gilroy Catholic College def. Caroline Chisholm College
Year 7/8 Boys – Patrician Brothers College Blacktown def. St Dominic’s College
Year 9/10 Girls – Hills Sports High School def. Gilroy Catholic College
Year 9/10 Boys – Patrician Brothers College Blacktown def. St Dominic’s College
Year 11/12 Girls – Magdalene Catholic College def. GOAL College
Year 11/12 Boys – St Dominic’s College def. Model Farms High School
South Coast Regional – [13/05]
Kiama High School was the standout performer at the South Coast Regional, reaching an impressive four grand finals and walking away with three division titles. The day showcased strong competition across all age groups, but it was the Year 9/10 Girls final that stole the spotlight as the match of the day. Dapto High and Warilla High went head-to-head in a thrilling contest that extended into a drop-off. Dapto ultimately clinched the win, but Warilla won’t have to wait long for a chance at redemption with both teams qualifying for Champions of Champions.
South Coast Results
Year 7/8 Girls – Kiama High School def. Dapto High School
Year 7/8 Boys – Kiama High School def. Dapto High School
Year 9/10 Girls – Dapto High School def. Warilla High School
Year 9/10 Boys – Kiama High School def. Warilla High School
Year 11/12 Girls – Holy Spirit College Bellambi def. Kiama High School
Year 11/12 Boys – Warilla High School def. Holy Spirit College Bellambi
South West Sydney Regional – [04/06]
Oran Park and East Hills High School impressed across multiple divisions, while Freeman Catholic and Good Samaritan Catholic College also claimed hard-fought wins. It was a great way pick up the SSR momentum leading into Champions of Champions after a few postponed tournaments due to wet weather.
South West Results
Year 7/8 Girls – Oran Park High School def. Santa Sabina College
Year 7/8 Boys – East Hills High School def. Freeman Catholic College
Year 9/10 Girls – Oran Park High School def. Freeman Catholic College
Year 9/10 Boys – East Hills High School def. Picnic Point High School
Year 11/12 Girls – Freeman Catholic College def. Picnic Point High School
Year 11/12 Boys – Good Samaritan Catholic College def. East Hills High School
Central Coast Regional – [05/06]
The Central Coast Oztag team has grown to the point where they now run their Secondary Schools Regionals independently, a testament to the region’s booming player base and strong school engagement. With such a large nursery of Oztag talent, the following schools will be on the shortlist of favourites to make a run at Champions of Champions.
Central Coast Results
Year 7/8 Girls – Central Coast Sports College def. MacKillop Catholic College
Year 7/8 Boys – Central Coast Sports College def. Wadalba Community School
Year 9/10 Girls – Green Point Christian College def. Terrigal High School
Year 9/10 Boys – Central Coast Sports College def. St Edward’s Catholic College
Year 11/12 Girls – Wadalba Community School def. St Josephs Catholic College
Year 11/12 Boys – Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College def. St Edward’s Catholic College
Sutherland Shire Regional – [11/06]
The Sutherland Shire tournament delivered a high standard of competition, with local schools showcasing strong talent across all divisions. As one of the strongest regions for school Oztag, where the sport continues to thrive, the Shire once again lived up to its reputation. Endeavour Sports High dominated the girls’ divisions, going undefeated in Year 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12. On the boys’ side, Cronulla High had an impressive run—claiming victories in both the Year 7/8 and 9/10 divisions and narrowly missing a clean sweep. The day reflected the strength of Oztag in the Shire and the quality of school sport in the region.
Sutherland Shire Results
Year 7/8 Girls – Endeavour Sports High School def. Kirrawee High School
Year 7/8 Boys – Cronulla High School def. Endeavour Sports High School
Year 9/10 Girls – Endeavour Sports High School def. St John Bosco College
Year 9/10 Boys – Cronulla High School def. Endeavour Sports High School
Year 11/12 Girls – Endeavour Sports High School def. Woolaware High School
Year 11/12 Boys – Gilroy Catholic College def. Goal College
Central West Regional – [17/06]
The inaugural Central West tournament in Dubbo was a fantastic showcase of emerging talent and enthusiasm for the sport. As a new addition to the Secondary Schools Regionals calendar, the event highlighted just how quickly Oztag is growing in the region. With strong participation and competitive matches across divisions 7/8 & 9/10s boys and girls, the quality of play was impressive. Especially for a sport still in its early stages in the area. The response from schools and players alike shows promising signs for the future of Oztag in Central West NSW, with the foundations now firmly in place to build a thriving school and community-based competition.
Central West Results
Year 7/8 Girls – Dubbo College South Campus def. Maquaire Aglican Gramma School
Year 7/8 Boys – Dubbo College Delroy Campus def. Dubbo College South Campus
Year 9/10 Girls – Void
Year 9/10 Boys – Maquaire Aglican Gramma School def. Dubbo College Delroy Campus
Tamworth Regional – [19/06]
The Sutherland Shire tournament delivered a high standard of competition, with local schools showcasing strong talent across all divisions. As one of the strongest regions for school Oztag, where the sport continues to thrive, the Shire once again lived up to its reputation. Endeavour Sports High dominated the girls’ divisions, going undefeated in Year 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12. On the boys’ side, Cronulla High had an impressive run—claiming victories in both the Year 7/8 and 9/10 divisions and narrowly missing a clean sweep. The day reflected the strength of Oztag in the Shire and the quality of school sport in the region.
Tamworth Results
Year 7/8 Girls – Oxley High School def. Calrossy Anglican School
Year 7/8 Boys – Farrer High School def. Peel High School
Year 9/10 Girls – Oxley High School def. McCarthy Catholic College
Year 9/10 Boys – Peel High School def. Oxley High School
Year 11/12 Girls – Oxley High School def. McCarthy Catholic College
Year 11/12 Boys – Oxley High School def. Tamworth High School
Hunter Regional – [24/07]
The Hunter Regional tournament, showcased the growing popularity of tag in the area, with schools from across the region turning out in strong numbers to compete. Warners Bay High School and Trinity Catholic College were dominant throughout the day, featuring in multiple grand finals and walking away with a couple division wins each. The finals were high-quality matches are a great indicator of the sport’s development in the Hunter and point to an exciting future for Oztag in the region.
Hunter Results
Year 7/8 Boys – Warners Bay High School def. Trinity Catholic College
Year 7/8 Girls – St Mary’s Catholic College def. Warners Bay High School
Year 9/10 Boys – Trinity Catholic College def. St Mary’s Catholic College
Year 9/10 Girls – Trinity Catholic College def. Catherine McAuley
Year 11/12 Boys – Tomaree High School def. Warners Bay High School
Year 11/12 Girls – Warners Bay High School def. Tomaree High School
St George/ Sydney East Regional – [29/07]
Held in one of Sydney’s most established Oztag regions, the St George / Sydney East Regional offered a high-quality day of competition, showcasing the strength of school Oztag across the eastern and southern suburbs. Matraville Sports High School delivered an impressive showing, taking out both the 9/10 and 11/12 Boys divisions and finishing runners-up in the 7/8 Boys and 11/12 Girls. With such consistent results across multiple age groups, they’ll be one to watch at the upcoming Champions of Champions tournament.
St Clare’s College Waverley also made a strong statement, winning both the 7/8 and 9/10 Girls divisions with confident performances.
St George / Sydney East Results
Year 7/8 Boys – Illawarra Sports High School def. Matraville Sports High School
Year 7/8 Girls – St Clare’s College Waverley def. Brigidine College Randwick
Year 9/10 Boys – Matraville Sports High School def. Belmore Boys High School
Year 9/10 Girls – St Clare’s College Waverley def. Brigidine College Randwick
Year 11/12 Boys – Matraville Sports High School def. GRC Oatley
Year 11/12 Girls – Brigidine College Randwick def. Matraville Sports High School
Development & Participation
We’re thrilled to see participation numbers grow year after year, and 2025 is no exception. These tournaments not only foster school pride and regional competition, but also help build the foundation of future rep players and tag leaders.
Thank You to All Involved
A huge thanks to our tournament coordinators, referees, school sport coordinators, and volunteers who help make each SSR event possible. Your work behind the scenes ensures that players and schools have the best possible experience.
by benj | Jul 11, 2025 | Latest News
Penrith Oztag is one of the longest-running and most established competitions in the country, having operated for over 30 years. It’s run by a team/family of four, Husband-and-wife duo Paul and Sarah LaBua, who jokingly admit they’re still figuring out who the real boss is and soon to be married couple Jarrod Mostowik & Winnie Henry. It is clear from one visit that it is very much a family-oriented club. The team is focused on continuing the strong legacy and culture that defines Penrith Oztag
Originally based at Emu Plains before moving to Claremont Meadows, Penrith Oztag has now called The Kingsway Playing Fields home for more than 25 years. The association runs two major competitions each year in Summer and Winter, catering to players of all skill levels.
Paul, Sarah, Jarrod and Winnie proudly acknowledge those who paved the way, in particular the Howards, who managed the competition for more than two decades.
“Their hard work, commitment and sacrifice laid the foundation of what you see today, and they set the standard for how an Oztag competition should be run,” Paul noted.
At the heart of Penrith’s approach is an unwavering focus on quality. Running a competition of this size is no easy feat however due to the amazing team behind the scenes is the reason they can. They spend a lot of time engaging with the local and representative players on how we can continue to improve our competition.
“Our main focus is making sure the quality and standard is the highest it’s ever been. One of our focuses will be to eventually offer a Women’s competition at Penrith Oztag. We understand that if we run a great competition it will feed into our representative teams and will ensure that the future of Penrith Oztag is a bright one for years to come” Paul explained.
The competition offers divisions for all skill levels, from their elite “Prem Tag” Division 1 through to Division 13 for more social players. Regardless of ability, every team plays for prize money, with both winners and runners-up taking home the goods.
“Everyone cares about the quality of Oztag out here in the west,” Paul added.
That strong local culture feeds directly into representative success. Something evident in how frequently Penrith rep teams perform well at tournaments in Coffs Harbour.
Penrith Oztag’s family feel extends far beyond just its leadership. Many referees and officials are players themselves, and it’s common for individuals to play across multiple divisions or teams Whether socially, competitively, or both. Everyone involved genuinely wants to be part of something bigger, and it shows.
Off the field, Penrith Oztag is deeply involved in its local community. Each year, they run a Christmas toy drive for Westmead Children’s Hospital, and proudly support initiatives like The Steele Foundation and Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation, raising awareness for organ donation by wearing rainbow shoelaces on the field
Penrith Oztag is more than just a competition it’s a community. With a strong legacy, passionate leadership, and a deep sense of care both on and off the field, they’re proving what’s possible when grassroots sport is done right.
by benj | May 27, 2025 | Development, Latest News
NSW Oztag is excited to announce the return of our Primary School Gala Days – and this year, it’s going to be bigger, better, and more exciting than ever!
Oztag is the perfect sport for young students. It’s fast-paced, inclusive, non-contact, and gets kids outdoors, running around with their mates while developing teamwork, coordination, and confidence. Whether students are seasoned players or new to the game, Oztag is easy to learn and fun to play, making it an ideal sport for school participation.
Over the years, our gala days have seen tremendous success, with hundreds of students participating across multiple regions and schools returning year after year thanks to the positive, professionally run experience.
In 2025, NSW Oztag will host six Primary School Regional Gala Days, expanding from our usual four with the addition of two brand new regions: Port Stephens and South West Sydney.
New Gala Days for 2025
- Port Stephens Gala Day will be run by Port Stephens Oztag, with support from the NSW Oztag team. This area has seen incredible growth in junior participation, and we’re thrilled to bring a dedicated gala day to the region.
- South West Sydney Gala Day will be led by Camden Junior Oztag, again with support from NSW Oztag. Camden has become one of the strongest junior Oztag associations, with a booming summer competition and strong community involvement.
Both of these associations are playing a major role in growing Oztag across NSW, particularly in the junior space. Their gala days will provide local students with a unique opportunity to play in a professionally run tournament environment and experience all that Oztag has to offer.
2025 Gala Day Dates & Locations
- Port Stephens – Kings Park, Port Stephens – July 31
- Hunter – The Upper Reserve, Wallsend – September 23
- Sydney East – The Ridge Sporting Complex, Barden Ridge – October 23
- South Coast – Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow – October 28
- South West Sydney – Narellan Sports Hub, Narellan – October 31
- Western Sydney – The Kingsway Playing Fields, Werrington – November 12
What Makes These Gala Days So Special?
- Outdoor sport at its best – encouraging physical activity and school spirit
- Inclusive and non-contact – suitable for all skill levels
- Supported by experienced local associations and NSW Oztag staff
- A chance for students to represent their school and build confidence through sport
Building on the continued success of our Secondary School Regionals, NSW Oztag recognises the importance of long-term development through school-based initiatives. The expansion of our Primary School Gala Days is the next step in this journey – providing a strong foundation for students to stay involved in the sport and progress through the Oztag pathway.
Registrations Now Open!
Registrations for the 2025 Primary School Gala Days are now open and will be completed through Assemble. Once your school registers, an invoice will be sent 1–2 weeks prior to the event.
We encourage schools to register early, with dates and venues now confirmed, it’s the perfect time to register.
by benj | May 21, 2025 | Latest News
Oztag is thrilled to announce the launch of two exciting new competitions in regional New South Wales: Griffith Oztag and Scone Oztag. These new regions mark the next step in our mission to bring the game to more communities and expand participation across the state.
Introducing Our New Regions
Griffith Oztag
- Start Date: October 2
- Divisions Offered: Juniors, Men’s, Women’s & Mixed
- Venue: Jubilee Oval
- Game Night: Thursday Nights
- Coordinator Contact: Lorenco Tafili – griffith@oztag.com.au
- Social Media: griffithoztag
Scone Oztag
- Start Date: September 23
- Divisions Offered: Juniors only (for now)
- Venue: Bill Rose Sports Complex
- Game Night: Tuesday Nights
- Coordinator Contact: Grant Rogers – scone@oztag.com.au
- Social Media: sconeoztag
Registrations Now Open
Registrations for both competitions open on August 1. Players and families can sign up through the Assemble platform – more details to follow soon.
Why Griffith and Scone?
These locations were carefully selected due to strong local demand, clear growth potential, and existing interest from schools and families eager to get involved in Oztag. Our development team has been engaging with schools and running clinics in the lead-up to launch, ensuring both regions hit the ground running.
Development and Community Engagement
Both Griffith and Scone will be supported by targeted development initiatives, including:
- A combined launch day and school clinic on Wednesday, June 25
- School holiday clinics to introduce the sport and engage local youth:
- Scone: July 9
- Griffith: July 16
These events are designed to build excitement, encourage participation, and support coordinators in laying strong community foundations.
Long-Term Goals
Our vision is for Griffith and Scone Oztag to grow into thriving, self-sustaining competitions that feed into broader regional and state pathways. With a focus on junior engagement and long-term player development, both areas are set to become key pillars in our statewide strategy.
Jordan Hollis, NSW State manager & Head of Development explained
” Our expansion into Griffith and Scone broadens the Oztag footprint in rural New South Wales, providing opportunities for communities that have been eagerly awaiting their chance to don the tags. The recent success of Oztag in Dubbo is a clear example of the growing demand and enthusiasm for the sport in regional areas.
Bringing Oztag to these communities not only allows them to participate in the game but also opens the door for players to compete in our State and National Championships. This expansion strengthens the development of both our NSW teams and the Australian Tagaroos by uncovering a previously untapped pool of talented players.”
Stay tuned for more updates and follow each region’s socials for announcements, photos, and registration links. We can’t wait to see new players take the field and become part of the Oztag community!
by benj | Apr 17, 2025 | Latest News
On Tuesday, April 15, NSW Oztag hosted its annual Casual Development Officer (CDO) Training Day at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence. This event was designed to educate and upskill new and prospective Development Officers (DOs) on our sport’s development strategy, processes, and long-term vision.
The day featured a mix of learning formats including a First Aid and CPR course, an indoor information session led by NSWO staff, and outdoor practical components focused on program delivery. Attendees left equipped with the tools and confidence to deliver school clinics, introductory referee training, and promotional sessions within their local regions.
The CDO Program is a critical part of NSW Oztag’s long-term development strategy, aimed at increasing participation, improving the quality of grassroots programs, and strengthening the sport’s presence across the state. By placing trained development staff in regions throughout NSW, we’re ensuring that more schools, communities, and associations have direct access to structured clinics, referee education, and player pathways. These programs are essential for introducing new participants to the sport at a young age, retaining players through better coaching and engagement, and helping associations grow sustainably. The strategy also allows us to build stronger connections with schools and local councils, opening doors for more regular competition and visibility. Over time, this consistent, localised delivery model will not only grow the game numerically, but also raise the overall standard of play and referee education across all levels.
Our long-term vision is to grow the program to the point where regional DOs can transition into full-time development roles—creating career pathways while simultaneously expanding the reach and impact of Oztag.
If you are passionate about the sport and interested in becoming a Casual Development Officer, please email lacie@oztag.com.au for more information.
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