NSW Senior State Cup: Teams to Watch in 2025

NSW Senior State Cup: Teams to Watch in 2025

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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NSW Junior State Cup 12s-17s: Finals Wrap

NSW Junior State Cup 12s-17s: Finals Wrap

The Junior State Cup 12s-17s has come to an end and what a tournament it was! Last weekend spectators at C.ex Coffs International Stadium saw thrilling matches, and unforgettable moments as over 300 teams competed for Oztag glory.

After an intense weekend of competition, the best of the best emerged victorious. This tournament marked the final Junior State Cup appearance for our Boys and Girls 17s premier divisions, and they delivered an incredible showcase of Oztag.

The Boys 17s final saw ACT Cougars defeat Central Coast in one of the most thrilling games to date. The match went to extra time, with Jesse Fordham chasing down a kick in their own half to win the game and the championship. In the Girls 17s final, Cronulla defeated Souths in a tight defensive battle, with the only try of the game coming from Jess Henville in the first half. It was an extra special victory for the Cronulla girls, as the core group has played together since Under 9s. Having never won it before, they will now retire their junior careers as champions. One of the standout matchups of the weekend was the Girls 15s final between Nepean and Souths. The Souths girls had never lost a State Cup since their Under 9s debut. However, last Sunday, Nepean finally ended their reign and look to start their own era of dominance.

Congratulations to Central Coast who claimed the Club Championship with an impressive 84 points, while Cronulla, Nepean, and Souths all tied for second place with 74 points.

Below are the full results of all Grand Finals. Congratulations to all teams.

  • Boys 12s: Central Coast defeated Easts 5 – 1
  • Girls 12s: Souths defeated Camden 3 – 2
  • Boys 13s: Nepean defeated Baulkham Hills 5 – 2
  • Girls 13s: Central Coast defeated Cronulla 2 – 1
  • Boys 14s: Central Coast defeated Shellharbour 5 – 4
  • Girls 14s: Souths defeated Nepean 3 – 2
  • Boys 15s: East Hills defeated Central Coast 5 – 3
  • Girls 15s: Nepean defeated Souths 5 – 3
  • Boys 16s: Souths defeated Nepean 3 – 1
  • Girls 16s: Baulkham Hills defeated Cronulla 5 – 1
  • Boys 17s: ACT defeated Central Coast 6 – 5
  • Girls 17s: Cronulla defeated Souths 1 – 0

A huge thank you to all the players, coaches, referees, and families who made this weekend a success. Your dedication and passion for Oztag continue to make this event one of the highlights of the year. We also want to acknowledge our amazing partners, NIB, GSA, Coffs Coast for their continued support in growing the game and making tournaments like this possible.

You can relive all the best moments from the tournament by checking out BarTV for match replays and IBImages for photos taken around the grounds. Checkout our socials for extra photos, videos, and highlights of the tournament.

Junior State Cup 12s-17s Is Here

Junior State Cup 12s-17s Is Here

The countdown is over – the Junior State Cup is finally here! This weekend, young Oztag players from across the state will take the field, showcasing their skills, teamwork, and passion for the game. With three days of non stop action and 316 teams competing, there’s plenty to look forward to as teams battle it out.

The tournament kicks off on Friday, setting the stage for an exciting weekend. Over the weekend, we’ll witness some of the most promising young talent in Oztag, with Sunday’s finals set to deliver intense matchups and unforgettable moments. Finals day will be live-streamed on our Facebook page, so be sure to tune in and catch all the action!

For our premier divisions, Boys and Girls 17s, it will be their final year in the junior divisions, making it an unforgettable tournament for these athletes. Teams to look out for in the Premier Division include last year’s 16s reigning champions: Baulkham Hills (Boys) and Central Coast (Girls). They’ll be facing strong competition from teams determined to dethrone them, including Souths and Cronulla, who were both semi-finalists last year in their respective divisions.

Continuing from last year, NSW Origin teams will be selected based on players’ performances in this tournament. This is a huge opportunity for young athletes to showcase their skills and take the next step in their Oztag journey.

Our media team will be capturing all the highlights from the tournament. Stay tuned for Viral-worthy highlights showcasing top plays and live updates through the Sportfix app,so you don’t miss a beat!

A special shoutout to NIB, our major sponsor, for their ongoing support. Look out for their presence throughout the tournament!

Follow us on @nsw_oztag for updates, photos, and videos throughout the weekend. Good luck to all the teams competing – we can’t wait to see the action unfold!

 

NSW Oztag Introduction of Player Subscription Fee

NSW Oztag Introduction of Player Subscription Fee

From December 1, 2024 New South Wales Oztag will introduce an annual subscription fee in line with the roll out of our new competition management platform – Assemble. The introduction of the subscription fee is aimed at supporting the sustainability and growth of Oztag across the State.

The subscription fee will apply to all players, both junior and senior, and will be required in addition to any team fees or registration costs association with local competitions.

Key Points

Fee Structure: From December 1, 2024 NSW Oztag will be switching over to a new online competition management system through Assemble. When you go to Assemble to register for your first competition you will be prompted to pay the mandatory $15 subscription fee. This equates to approximately $1.25 per game. The subscription fee will assist in covering operational costs at a State & National level, including administration and resources for affiliate associations.

Purpose: The subscription fee will provide ongoing investment into the game for the benefit of all stakeholders as the Game continues to grow. Investment from the subscription fee will include resources for the Associations, branding and social media support, the referee Thank You program, referee and coaching accreditation portals and support, development clinics and pathways.

Scope: All registered players regardless of age will be required to pay the fee when they sign up for their first team in 2025.

Benefits: Exclusive membership benefits include discounts & offers through our commercial partners including NRL & Oztag Equipment Supplies (OES). Additionally, the subscription fee helps ensure that Oztag remains accessible and well organised to the standard upheld by Australian Oztag with continued support for associations, referees, players & coaches.

Implementation: The $15 fee will be required to be paid at the time of registration in your first competition for that calendar year. The calendar year starts on December 1.

The introduction of this subscription fee aligns with similar changes across sports, where governing bodies seek to create a more sustainable financial model and ensure that participants have the necessary support and protection while playing. For more information, please visit the FAQs page that we have created to answer any further questions you may have.

Yours sincerely,

Luke Manahan

General Manager

 

NSW Senior State Cup: Finals Wrap

NSW Senior State Cup: Finals Wrap

The 2024 Senior State Champions have been crowned following an action-packed weekend of Oztag in Coffs Harbour.

The Senior State Championships kicked off on Friday 22 March, which saw 200 teams brave the wet conditions and lay it all on the line for the championship title.

Sunday’s Finals saw many qualifiers come down to the wire as teams took their game to the next level. Crowds grew louder and teams more determined as they inched closer to that gold medal.

In the Men’s 20s division, Souths took on Heathcote Engadine in a 2023 Grand Final re-match. But it was the reigning champs, Souths who took home gold following a 5-2 victory.

Central Coast Men’s 40s won gold for the fifth year in a row, while their Men’s Opens re-claimed the title – defeating Parramatta, 6-4 in a thrilling Grand Final showdown.

In the Women’s Opens Final, Penrith made it back-to-back championships following an incredible display of skill, while Parramatta Mixed Opens got their first ever taste of gold.

Following a dominant performance, NSW Oztag are pleased to announce the 2024 NSW Senior Club Champions – on 89 points, Central Coast Oztag.

Across the 17 divisions, Central Coast had 13 teams qualify for Semi Finals. Seven of these advanced to the Grand Final and five took home gold.

In second place was Cronulla on 74 points, and in third was Penrith on 63.

Below are the 2024 NSW Senior State Cup Grand Final results. Congratulations to all Champions.

Women’s 20s

Cronulla defeated Penrith 3 – 2

Women’s Opens

Penrith defeated Cronulla 3 – 1

Women’s 27s

Sydney City defeated Central Coast 2 – 1

Women’s 37s

ACT defeated Port Macquarie 2 – 1

Women’s 47s

Cronulla defeated QLD Orchids 7 – 1

Mixed 20s

Penrith 1 defeated Souths 5 – 2

Mixed Opens

Parramatta 2 defeated Lake Macquarie 6 – 4

Mixed Seniors

Razorbacks defeated Penrith 4 – 2

Men’s 20s

Souths defeated Heathcote 5 – 2

Men’s Opens

Central Coast defeated Parramatta 6 – 4

Men’s 30s

Penrith 1 defeated Central Coast 2 – 1

Men’s 35s

Central Coast defeated Penrith 4 – 2

Men’s 40s

Central Coast defeated Cronulla 4 – 3

Men’s 45s

Central Coast defeated Sydney City 3 – 2

Men’s 50s

Cronulla defeated Port Macquarie 6 – 0

Men’s 55s

Cronulla defeated Kiama 4 – 0

Men’s 60s

Central Coast defeated Souths 3 – 1

For all tournament results, visit Sportfix.

Finals Livestream is still available on Facebook.

NSW Oztag would like to thank everyone for making the 2024 Senior State Championships an exceptional tournament for all involved.

Be sure to visit IBIMAGES for all tournament action shots. Log in using your Facebook or Google account.

Event log in and password:

Username: oztag

Password: 2024

NSW Senior State Cup: Day 2 Wrap

NSW Senior State Cup: Day 2 Wrap

Day two of the 2024 NSW Senior State Championships saw games taken to another level, as players laid it all on the line to secure their position in Sunday’s Finals. 

Over 3,000 players rolled into C.ex Stadium and Geoff King Oval this weekend, well-prepared and determined to take home the championship title.

Despite the heavy track on day one and two, teams took their games to another level of brilliance – the number of close games throughout the tournament suggests that we are in store for some quality finals tomorrow.

The following teams sit undefeated heading into Sunday’s Finals:

Men’s 20s

  • Souths
  • Cronulla

Women’s 20s

  • Penrith

Mixed 20s

  • Souths
  • Penrith 1

Men’s Opens

  • Homebush
  • Cronulla
  • Central Coast 1
  • St George

Women’s Opens

  • Penrith 1
  • Central Coast
  • Fairfield 1
  • Cronulla

Mixed Opens

  • Parramatta 2
  • Lake Macquarie
  • Souths 1
  • Shellharbour
  • Souths 2
  • Sydney City

Men’s 30s

  • Central Coast
  • Penrith 1

Women’s 27s

  • Sydney City
  • Central Coast

Senior Mixed

  • Razorbacks
  • Penrith

Women’s 37s

  • ACT

Men’s 40s

  • Central Coast

Men’s 45s

  • Sydney City 1
  • Central Coast

Women’s 47s

  • Cronulla

Men’s 50s

  • Cronulla
  • Penrith

Men’s 55s

  • Cronulla

Keep up to date with all live fixtures and results via Sportfix.

To tune into Finals Day Livestream, head to the New South Wales Oztag Facebook page. 

Coverage will kick off at 8.15am on Field 2 with the Men’s 45s Quarter Final, which will see Sydney City take on Cronulla. 

NSW Oztag wish all teams competing tomorrow the best of luck and look forward to crowning the 2024 NSW Senior State Champions.