Play Oztag

What is Oztag?

Oztag is the latest craze in recreational sport that now has competitions running all over Australia, with the largest areas located in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra.

It is a non-tackling game. Normal dimensions of the field are 70 metres x 50 metres. Two fields will fit on one rugby or soccer field. Eight players in each team are on the field at any one time. Players wear shorts with a Velcro patch on each side. A strip of cloth is attached to the Velcro, known as a tag. The object of the game is to score tries. Defenders prevent this by tagging the ball carrier, removing the tag from the shorts.

In OZTAG football the attacking team has six plays or tags to try and score a try or promote the ball down field as close to the line as possible. The game is exciting due to the fact of the tagging situation which can be difficult to remove. The invention of the tag also prevents phantom calls.

All skills are utilised in OZTAG football including kicking. Passing becomes an attacking weapon, and if a player is put into a gap, there is a high probability they will make a clean break. When attacking the line, fancy moves such as around-the-corner passes work well, often making the defender stoop low to remove the tag.

The game is low/medium-contact sport and the rules are designed to encourage this – you cannot, as an attacker run straight at a defender, you must run at the gaps. A defender cannot impede the progress of an attacker, so if you try to get a tag and bump the attacker you may well be penalised. The rule is whoever initiates contact will be penalised.

The rules allow for the ball to go to ground with the advantage rule applying – this results in a lot of broken field play. Teams kick off to commence play and restart play after a try has been scored. Line drop-outs are taken from the centre of the try line. Kicking in general play is allowed but it must be below shoulder height of the referee.

Games are usually played over 40 minutes, two twenty minute halves. Times may be varied to suit age groups and conditions.

How to register

Team registrations

How to register a team on Sportfix:

TEAM DELEGATES:

1. Go to https://sportfix.net/
2. SEARCH for the VENUE required – Cronulla Jnr, Kareela Jnr, Heathcote Jnr or Menai Jnr.
3. SELECT Register New Team – PLEASE ENSURE THE TEAM HAS A TEAM NAME before proceeding further.
4. SELECT Competition – ensure you are selecting the correct age – based off this year eg. any players turning 9 or 10 THIS year 2024 will be in the 10s. See FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS below if unsure.
5. CREATE account or SIGN IN to account if previously held one.
   IMPORTANT: Please do not do this multiple times – YOU only need ONE account for multiple children per family as it makes duplicates if done again. If Sportsfix takes you away from your TEAM, select the little person image in the top right and go to my registrations to get back to the team registration.
6. If you are registering on behalf of your child or on behalf of another person – please ensure you TICK THE BOX “I am completing the registration on behalf of another person”. THIS IS VITAL WHEN YOU ARE REGISTERING MULTIPLE CHILDREN!
7. VERIFY email address (only for new accounts – please check junk mail).
8. FILL in Team name.
9. SELECT Skill Level/Competition – beginner or intermediate or high grade along with selecting what division your team (or majority of the team) played in last competition. Please advise if your team have previously made Finals.
10. INVITE team members – you will see a team code when registering, pass this onto your players and ask them to use the below instructions (If you miss the team code you can click the person in the top right – select my registrations and it will show your teams code).

IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE:
‘Pay Later’ option is no longer available, full payment must be made at the time of registration.

PLAYERS:

1. Players will receive a TEAM CODE from your team delegate.
2. OPEN https://sportfix.net/
3. SEARCH for the VENUE required – Cronulla Jnr, Kareela Jnr, Heathcote Jnr or Menai Jnr.
4. SELECT Join Team and ENTER the team code.
5. CREATE an account using an email and password of choice, if you don’t already have an account. This will then take you into your existing/new profile.
6. COMPLETE all personal details and make payment.
   IMPORTANT: If you are registering on behalf of your child or on behalf of another person – please ensure you TICK THE BOX “I am completing the registration on behalf of another person” THIS IS VITAL WHEN YOU ARE REGISTERING MULTIPLE CHILDREN!
7. Registration is $110 for Junior players plus transaction fees. 
8. If you are using an Active Kids Voucher – when it comes time to make payment please select Active Kids Voucher and enter voucher details. 
   Please wait until the voucher has been accepted and the balance drops down before entering credit card details. 
   DO NOT ENTER CREDIT CARD DETAILS PRIOR TO THE BALANCE DROPPING DOWN OR YOU WILL BE CHARGED THE FULL AMOUNT ON THE CREDIT CARD.

Individual registrations

If you are registering as an individual player, please EMAIL the following details to sutherlandjnr@oztag.com.au

• Junior Association to play at: CRONULLA, KAREELA, MENAI or HEATHCOTE
• Players first and last name
• Contact number
• Player’s Date of Birth
• Any individual player you would like to be placed with

Frequently asked questions