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.
by benj | Mar 25, 2025 | Latest News
The 2025 NSW Senior State Cup has officially wrapped up, and what a tournament it was! With 170 teams and over 2,700 players descending on C.ex International Stadium in Coffs Harbour, the weekend was filled with high-intensity competition, thrilling finishes, and standout performances across all divisions.
The best of the best battled it out across multiple divisions, with teams pushing themselves to the limit in pursuit of a State Cup title. Day 3 finals games showcased the elite talent on display, with finals action delivering plenty of unforgettable moments. If you’re keen to see more of the action, check out our socials for viral moments and our YouTube for mini matches!
The Premier Divisions delivered some unforgettable moments, starting with Men’s Opens, where Central Coast lived up to expectations by defeating Cronulla. Touted as a team to watch before the tournament, they showcased their defensive grit in a grind-it-out performance, reinforcing their dynasty status. In Mixed Opens, Souths returned to the winner’s circle, dethroning defending champions Parramatta in what could soon develop into a fierce rivalry within the division. Meanwhile, in one of the greatest comebacks in recent Oztag history, Cronulla Women’s Opens stunned reigning champions Penrith. Despite falling behind 4-0 early, Cronulla fought back to level the score before full-time, forcing a drop-off where they held their nerve to seal the victory.
Other notable winners included Engadine Heathcote Men’s 20s, who finally claimed gold after falling short in the last two grand finals, and Penrith Mixed 20s, now back-to-back champions after edging out St George in a dramatic drop-off finish.
See all grand final scores below:
Men’s Opens: Central Coast defeated Cronulla 4-2
Men’s 20s: Engadine Heathcote defeated ACT 4-2
Men’s 30s: Homebush defeated Wollongong 6-2
Men’s 35s: Southwest defeated Penrith 4-2
Men’s 40s: Central Coast defeated Cronulla 2-1
Men’s 45s: Central Coast defeated ACT 2-1
Men’s 50s: Cronulla defeated Central Coast 5-0
Men’s 60s: Central Coasted defeated Cronulla 1-0
Mixed Opens: Souths defeated Parramatta 9-5
Mixed 20s: Penrith defeated St George 7-6
Mixed Seniors: Southwest defeated Penrith 4-3
Women’s Opens: Cronulla defeated Penrith 5-4
Women’s 20s: Central Coast defeated Penrith 3-0
Women’s 27s: Central Coast defeated Sydney City 4-1
Women’s 37s: Tamworth defeated Port Macquarie 3-1
Women’s 47s: Nepean defeated Central Coast 2-0
With the completion of NSW Senior State Cup the focus now shifts to Interstate Series in September where NSW representatives will face off against the best from QLD. The best players from this year’s State Cup will be chosen where they will once again showcase their skills. Stay tuned for more updates and team selections.
Again, A huge thank you to nib for their continued support throughout this tournament.
by benj | Mar 19, 2025 | Latest News
The 2025 NSW Senior State Cup is set to take over C.ex International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, from March 20-22, bringing together the best Oztag players from across the state. With 170 teams and over 2,700 players competing, this tournament is set to deliver three days of elite-level competition and high-intensity action.
The Home of Oztag, C.ex International Stadium in Coffs Harbour, will once again host the Senior State Cup. Known for its top-class facilities and history of thrilling matchups, the venue is the perfect stage for teams to battle for the title.
This tournament is stacked with talent across all divisions in particular our premier divisions Men’s, Women’s and Mixed opens.
Teams from the Western Sydney region will be looking to continue the dominant presence at the Senior State Cup. Penrith Women’s opens will be looking for their 3rd straight whilst the 30s men’s are looking to go back to back. In our largest division Mixed Open’s Parramatta will be looking to cement their own legacy as they return as defending champs. To read about some of the standout teams heading into the competition, click here
The tournament will conclude on Sunday, March 22, with all finals game played on field 2 to be live streamed on BarTv. Stay tuned as the best teams go head-to-head.
As in 2024, NSW teams will be selected based on players performances at the Senior State Cup. With spots in the Interstate Series up for grabs, this tournament is a key opportunity for players to impress.
Keep track of all the action with live scores and fixtures available through the Assemble website. Make sure to stay up to date throughout the weekend. Please also check out ibimages who will be capturing the event.
A huge thank you to nib for their continued support throughout this tournament, ensuring players can perform at their best.
The countdown is on for the 2025 NSW Senior State Cup. We’ll see you in Coffs Harbour for an unforgettable weekend of Oztag!
by benj | Mar 7, 2025 | Latest News
The countdown is on for the Senior State Cup, where the best Oztag teams from across the state will battle it out for championship glory. With a weekend of fast-paced, high-intensity competition ahead, we take a closer look at four teams set to make a major impact.
Central Coast Men’s Opens – Defending Champions & Established Powerhouse
Central Coast has been the benchmark in the Men’s Opens division for the past few years, dominating the competition with an impressive run of success. They have reached the grand final in the last three State Cups, winning two, and have been unstoppable on the national stage, claiming four consecutive National Championships.
With a plethora of NSW Origin and Australian Tagaroos representatives, they bring experience, skill, and championship pedigree. Their ability to perform under pressure and execute in crucial moments has made them the team to beat. Expect Central Coast to come into this year’s tournament with the same hunger for success as they look to add another title to their already stacked trophy cabinet.
Lake Macquarie Mixed Opens – Grand Finalists & NSW Origin Talent
Lake Macquarie came heartbreakingly close to taking the title last year, falling just short in the grand final. With their core playing group being together for 8 years as well as having 8 players selected in 2024 State of Origin campaign they return in 20-25 as one of the strongest squads in the division.
Coming from a small club, the Lake Macquarie Mixed Opens team have always punched above their weight. After falling agonisingly short last year and leaving with a silver medal, the team is hungrier than ever to win. Their emergence as a top-tier contender could be a sign of things to come—could a win at this year’s State Cup spark a wave of powerhouse teams in other divisions? With momentum building, Lake Macquarie is a team to watch in 2025.
Cronulla Women’s 20s – Defending Champions & A Team in Transition
Cronulla’s Women’s 20s return as defending champions after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Penrith in last year’s grand final. They showcased their ability to step up in big moments, proving themselves as one of the top teams in the division.
However, this year presents a new challenge, with a few key players moving up to the Opens division. How they adapt to these changes will be key to their chances of going back-to-back. With a strong foundation and plenty of talent still in the squad, Cronulla remains a team to watch in 2025.
Engadine Heathcote Men’s 20s – Hungry for Redemption
For the past two years, Engadine Heathcote has been a dominant force in the Men’s 20s division, consistently setting the standard with their skill and structure. Led by NSW 20s Origin coach Boey Alam, this squad has been one of the most well-drilled and competitive teams in recent memory.
Despite their dominance, they have fallen just short in the grand final twice, making this year’s campaign all about redemption. With a wealth of experience, strong leadership, and a burning desire to finally claim the title, Engadine Heathcote will be one of the most determined teams at this year’s tournament. Could 2025 be the year they break through and cement their legacy?
The 2025 Senior State Cup will deliver high-intensity Oztag at its best. Make sure you follow us on @nsw_oztag for updates, photos, and videos throughout the weekend and Assemble for live scores.
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