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
Register a team on Assemble
Registrations for teams opens the 11th of August 2025. No links will allow you to register until this date.
Annual NSW Oztag subscription fee of $15 is required to be a registered player. See NSW Oztag FAQs for further details. – here.
TEAM DELEGATES REGISTERING A TEAM:
Click here to find instructions on how to register a team as the team delegate.
There are also further instructions here for team delegates to view their teams and keep track of registrations. To access the team delegate admin portal to upload your teams playing numbers and view player registrations click here
Registration links are below:
PLAYERS JOINING A TEAM:
Click here to find instructions on how to register as a player to join a team that your team delegate has created. Please use the above links that are relevant to your competition venue to join the team.
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
How many players in a Junior Oztag team?
8 players take the field – with most teams registering 10 -12 players so they have a few reserves.
Do we have to register a whole team?
No, we accept whole teams, part thereof and individuals.
What are the costs involved?
$110 registration per player (Mixed Competitions are $100 per player)- all with an Annual Subscription fee of $15 per player. Shorts and Tights are $30.
Where do we buy the shorts and tights?
They are available to purchase from the Oztag shop in Miranda & at advertised afternoons at local venues prior to Comps commencing & at every venue once competitions commence.
Do we have to organise team shirts?
Players within each team must wear the same colour shirt, or singlet top. A Visible Number on the back of each shirt is compulsory.
I wish to register my team online…what should I do?
Please look at the Step by Step instructions displayed on our home-page.
How long does a game last?
45 minutes in total. 2 x 20 minute halves with a half time break.
When does the competition start and finish?
Comps Commence Mid October- (after School resumes). We then break for the Christmas School Holidays, and Comps resumes when school resumes in the new year. Comps should conclude by early March (Friday Mixed Kick-off in Sept and conclude in Dec).
Do we play at the same place each week?
Yes, games are scheduled every 45 minutes, so your time may vary but the venue is usually the same each week.
How do the AGE DIVISIONS work?
We offer:
Boys Divisions
U6s, U8s, U10s, U12s, U14s, U16s.
Girls Divisions
U6s, U8s U10s, U12s, U14s, U16s.
Playing Up
You can play up age divisions but you can’t be older than the age of that division. Eg. In an U10’s Division, you can play in this Division if you are 10 or under up until 31st December.
Summer 2025/2026 Age Divisions:
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6s – Born 2019 or 2020 (must be attending primary school in 2025)
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8s – Born 2017 or 2018
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10s – Born 2015 or 2016
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12s – Born 2013 or 2014
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14s – Born 2011 or 2012
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16s – Born 2009 or 2010
Players are eligible to play up one age division only e.g. a player that qualifies for the 10s age group can only play up 1 division to the 12s age group (they must also be registered in that team to play).
Individual players cannot ‘play up’ a grade. They must stay in their eligible age division.
What to do when team player numbers are short?
If the team cannot field at least 5 players – then you should call your Convenor and Forfeit the game.
In extreme circumstances you can borrow from a YOUNGER AGE DIVISION – not the age division of the team and it must be a current registered player.
Teams that use “ring-in”players risk losing their points for that game.
Do we have to organise training sessions?
No, it is not compulsory – training can be organised only if you wish.
Can coaches take the field with the team?
Only Boys 6s, 8s, 10s and Girls 6s 8s and 10s games.
SEMIS & FINALS – only coaches for U6 year teams are permitted on field.
Can we join Rep players together to form new teams in the Domestic competitions?
This is not permitted – Representative players cannot be recruited to play together to strengthen domestic teams or to use Domestic comps as a training run for any future Representative tournaments.
Can players wear Representative uniforms at domestic competition games?
No – players must wear official OZTAG shorts or tights (no Representative attire) and their domestic competition team shirt for their midweek games. This is to ensure all players commence their weekly game as equals – and this brings Jnr OZTAG in line with other codes ie… Netball, Soccer, Rugby League, Hockey, Basketball.
Players must wear official gear – shorts or tights.
League Tag gear is not permitted.
How many games does a player need to play to qualify to play in the Semi-Final series for that competition?
Players must have played a minimum of 5 games and have signed on for these games.
How does a player become eligible to play in a Junior Oztag Representative Tournament?
Players must be registered in a current Junior Oztag Competition for that Association in the Sutherland Shire.
Players must have played a minimum of 7 games and have signed on for those 7 games to be eligible for Representative Trials.
Wet Weather
Wet weather announcements will be sent by SMS to the team delegate and posted on Facebook and Instagram.
Are teams ever re-graded after the season commences?
Re-grading takes place (where possible) after Round 3 or when 3 games have been played.
Where can I find the draws each week?
Everybody is encouraged to download the Assemble app as all Draws will be loaded on there. Team delegates will be given a paper copy of their draw at the start of the season, which gives them the name and contact for the Convenor at their venue.
