AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS

OZTAG

Australian Indigenous Oztag History:

In 2007 prior to the first International Oztag tournament in Auckland, Perry Haddock and I discussed the possibility of taking an Aboriginal team over to play. I was keen to give our people a chance to represent our culture on an International stage.

I was able to get a Men’s 30s and Open Mixed team together made up of mainly Sydney players from the South’s comp. We were also really lucky to get sponsorship to help us fund the tour and it was a huge success.

Both of our teams made the semis losing narrowly to the eventual winners Australia in the 30s and NZ Barbarians in the Mixed.

But it was more than just the results on the field that was a success. Everyone who toured just loved representing our culture, sharing our culture and being together in our colours as one mob. The NZ people and all the Pacific Nations people loved having us there. The impact It had on our players was far bigger than I even expected.

Returning home after that trip I knew we had to keep this going and that we had something really special. Indigenous Oztag was here to stay with that same incentive from the start, to provide our people with the opportunity to represent our culture on an International stage. Both Men & women, young and old all from many Nations all together as one mob one tribe.

2012 was the next World Cup in Auckland and this time we took seven teams Men’s 20s, Women’s 20s?, Men’s Open, Mixed Open, Senior Mixed, Men’s 30s, Men’s 40s.

We booked at one Hotel for all of us and had an amazing time together both on and off the field.Our Senior Mixed and Men’s 40s, who both had been beaten in the the pool games by Aust and NZ, came through on the Sunday to win Gold.

I will never forget all our teams in the grandstand cheering the Senior Mixed, clap sticks and Didge playing them all storming on the field at the end to celebrate.

Following the World Cup we have played in Oceania Cup in 2014 - Auckland Winning Men’s 40s, Women’s 21s World Cup 2015 - Sunshine Coast Oceania Cup 2016 - Men’s 35 Winners World Cup 2018 - Coffs Harbour World Cup 2023- Ireland.

Our Aboriginal and TSI players reach has grown which is amazing to see players now come from all over Queensland, NSW, and the ACT.

Founder - Jeffro Hardy (The Godfather)

OFFICIAL AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS OZTAG WEBSITE

Australian Indigenous Oztag (AIO) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.

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