JUNIOR OZTAG

CONDITIONS OF PLAY

  • Term 1 start date:Start of Feb each year.

    Term 1 end date:End of March/Start of April each year.

    Term 4 start date: Start/Middle of September each year.

    Term 4 end date: November/December each year.

    Term 1 & 4 competitions have a top 2 grand final which is played after the last round.

    Competitions have one week washout round at the completion of all round games if required. (This can also be altered to double headers on the day of play pending on field availability)

  • Teams in the U6 to U14 divisions have until 5pm on the 3rd September and teams in the U16 & U17 competition have until 5pm on the 1st October to have the following amount of players registered to secure their team in the competition:

    • U6 & U8 divisions must have 9 players paid for to be entered into the draw.

    • U10s and above must have 10 players paid for to be entered into the draw.

    If your team does not have the required registered they will placed on the waitlist and given refunds. No exceptions will be given, all teams will be given plenty of time to be organised. 

    (We cannot refund active kids vouchers, these will be credited to the next season OR can be transferred to another sport)

    Please note that the above amount required to secure your team in the competition is not the minimum amount. You may register more players.

  • From 2025 when you register as a player you will be prompted to pay this annual fee before actually registering for the competition you wish to play in. This will also explain briefly why you have to pay this fee and the benefits you will receive. 

    The player fee is $15 which is only paid once a year no matter how many comps/teams you play in. 

  • The following link is for team organisers only. This link allows you to see who is in your team and who has paid as well as adding in shirt numbers.

    https://admin.oztagaustralia.assemblesports.io/login

  • No, under no circumstances are children allowed to register a team. A parent must be the team organiser, if a child registers a team they will be removed.

  • Rep player Grading Policy – Effective 2025

    Newcastle Junior Oztag

    To ensure a fair, safe, and enjoyable experience for all players, Newcastle Junior Oztag will follow the grading guidelines outlined below from the 2025 season onward.

    Representative Player Guidelines

    Teams With 4 or More Representative Players

    • Teams containing four (4) or more representative players will generally be placed in the highest grade within their age division.

    • During the opening rounds of the competition, the committee will monitor games to confirm grading accuracy.

    • If a team is clearly above or below the standard of their division, they may be regraded to maintain fairness.

    Potential to Move Down

    • If a team has 4 representative players, but the remainder of the team is below representative level and early results reflect this, the committee may consider placing the team in a lower grade.

    • All grading adjustments will be at the discretion of the committee, based on performance and overall division balance.

    Teams With Majority of Representative Players

    • Teams with six (6) or more representative players who wish to play together will be required to compete one age division above their correct age group.

    • Placement within that older division (higher or lower grade) will be determined by:

      • The age and skill level of the players, and

      • The overall strength of the higher age group divisions.

    • Teams may choose to remain in the higher age group for developmental purposes if preferred.

    Exemptions – Term One ONLY

    If your team has moved up an age group because all players will meet the minimum age requirement during the year, the team will be monitored throughout the first two weeks of the Term One competition.

    We understand that this transition can be challenging, particularly as some players may still be younger during the season (e.g. 10-year-olds playing in the U12 division). As such, these teams will not be expected to compete against significantly older age groups.

    Disclosure of Representative Players

    All teams must submit a list of their representative players from the previous 12 months and current year (including State Cup and Nationals) to:
    📧 newcastlejnrs@oztag.com.au

    Newcastle Junior Oztag will also cross-check all team lists to ensure transparency, fairness, and accuracy.

    Important Information for Players & Parents

    ⚠️ All players and parents must be aware of these conditions prior to registering.
    Teams may be required to move up an age division or adjust grades depending on their player makeup and on-field performance.

  • FOOTWEAR
    Wear football boots or joggers. No metal studs allowed.

    TEAM SHIRT
    Shirts must be correct and numbers entered into the system by the team organiser by round 3: all the same colour and style, with an iron-on number on the back (no markers or tape). If your shirts are delayed by a supplier please let us know so we can inform the ground staff and referee.

    Shirts or singlets must be long enough to tuck in; crop tops won't be accepted, and you'll need to buy different shirts or singlets.

    Packs of iron-on numbers are available for purchase at our pre-competition nights. If your iron-on number comes off in the wash, it's your responsibility to replace it.

    If ordering from overseas, We suggest buying extra shirts to prepare for injuries, extra players, dropouts, or misplaced shirts to avoid penalties. We do also understand that some shirt colours from Kmart etc may not be available anymore so if a player has lost or damaged their shirt they can wear a similar style/colour shirt for the remainder of the competition as long as it has the same number on the back as their original shirt and you as a team organiser have let Newcastle Oztag know.

OFFICIAL OZTAG SHORTS/TIGHTS

Uniform Size Chart

Girls/Womens Tights – $35

  • Fit Note:
    These tights run small! We recommend sizing up one or two sizes. However, they are designed to fit snugly to help prevent them from being pulled down during play.
    The fabric does stretch over time with wear.

  • Available Sizes:

    • Girls: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14

    • Ladies: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16

Unisex Shorts – $35

  • Suitable for both boys and girls

  • Fit Note:
    These shorts are true to size, but many players choose to size up to allow for growth.
    They come with a drawstring waistband for an adjustable fit.

  • Available Sizes:
    Kids    : 22” (Kids 6), 24” (Kids 8), 26” (Kids 10), 28” (kids 12), 30” (Kids 14)
    Mens/Womens: 32” (Small), 34” (Medium), 36” (Large), 38” (XLarge), 40” (2XL), 42” (3XL), 44” (4XL), 46” (5XL), 48” (6XL)

  • Other merch: Visors/Hats $25, Grip socks $20, Bottles $20.

  • Players must wear official Oztag shorts or tights; homemade or league tag shorts/tights are not permitted.

Shop opening dates will be posted on our Facebook; attendance is encouraged due to limited stock available at the grounds.
Address: 7/7 Revelation Close, Tighes Hill.
Shop hours are only what is advertised on Facebook.

    • Teams that did not meet the required amount of player registered before the cut off date will receive a full refund on the registration fee.

    • If the SEASON HAS NOT COMMENCED, the player will receive a full refund of the registration/

    • If the season HAS commenced the player is NOT entitled to receive a refund. (Unless there are extenuating circumstances (at the Committee’s discretion)

      You may replace an injured player but this must be communicated with Rhiannon as the back end process needs to be completed by us.

    • Any player or team removed from the competition for multiple forfeits or misconduct will NOT receive a refund.

    • Active kids vouchers cannot be refunded. They can be utilised for the next competition if they wish to play OR transferred to another competition only if the season hasn’t commenced.

  • Due to the continued growth of our competition and the need to accommodate all teams fairly, we are no longer able to accept requests for specific game times or byes.

    All teams must be available to play at any allocated time slot within their scheduled competition day. When registering a team, please ensure that all players are able to commit to this flexibility.

    Submitting a team indicates that you understand and accept that game times will vary throughout the season and cannot be adjusted to suit individual preferences.

  • THE GAME LENGTH FOR U6 - U14 DIVISIONS ARE 15 MINUTE HALVES, 30 MINUTES TOTAL

    THE GAME LENGTH FOR U16 & U17 DIVISIONS ARE 20 MINUTE HALVES, 40 MINUTES IN TOTAL

    TERM 1 & 4 TIME SLOTS

    Monday afternoons 4:10PM, 4:45PM, 5:25PM, 6:00PM, 6:35PM, 7:10PM, 7:45PM (if required)

    Thursday afternoons 4:10PM, 4:45PM, 5:20PM, 5:55PM, 6:30PM, 7:05PM, 7:40PM & 8:15PM (if required)

    U16 & U17 Divisions Thursday afternoons: 5:45PM, 6:30PM, 7:15PM

    Time slots may alter and not all time slots may be required and teams can play at any of these times throughout the competition)

    • U6 and U8s are played on a mod field with 6 players.

    • We allow one parent on the field from each team to help organise the game in U6/U8 divisions ONLY.

    • They must also have enclosed shoes when taking the field.

    • U10-U17's are played on a normal size field and have 8 players on the field. NO parent is allowed on the field in these ages.

    • Tags and game balls will be at the field before each game

    • No fill in players allowed, you cannot borrow players if your short one week. Please register more players to allow for sickness, holidays and injuries.

    • Registration checks will be done at the fields by ground staff. U16/U17 Teams will be required to sign on before each game at the sign on desk.

    • Updates will be sent via the notifications board for wet weather, field changes etc during games if needed

  • To view your game times and results please make sure you send all parents the following link https://live.oztagaustralia.assemblesports.io/c/club/newcastlejnrs/tabs/schedule

    There will also be a QR code on the board to view your ladder, game time and field.

  • Teams will be asked when signing up whether they are beginner (never played before), intermediate (have played a few seasons but have new players), advanced (have played for numerous seasons and would prefer a higher division for their skill level) or highly advanced (more than 4 rep players in the team) and will be placed into a division accordingly.

    Teams will also be asked if they have 4 or more rep players in their side and that they agree to playing up an age division. If your team has played before and you opt for a division that is not suited to your team due to past competition results the committee will review this and your team may be placed into another division. 

    If your team is completely different to the prior team please send an email to newcastlejnrs@oztag.com.au so the committee can review the team and consider your request. 

    For age groups that are split into divisions Newcastle Junior Oztag will take into account the experience of teams and place more experienced teams together as for new beginner teams together to be a fair competition. 

    Some teams might have one or two byes because of the number of teams in their division. We try to avoid byes when we can, but sometimes they can't be helped.

    Grading will not be changed after round 3 due to the full draw being done.

  • INCORRECT SHIRT POLICY:

    Incorrect shirt includes a different shirt to the rest of the team OR no number on the back. It is extremely important all players have numbers on the back of their shirts for insurance purposes.

    The player needs to come to the canteen to get a stamp to prove registration (they will be asked a few registration questions) to be allowed to take the field and must show the ground manager before taking the field.

    If this happens a second time from the same player they can still play although they cannot score. The team organiser will also be contacted in regards to incorrect shirt.

    Unregistered Players:

    Only players officially registered in YOUR team are allowed to play. You cannot borrow players from other teams, they must be registered in your team.

    If an unregistered player participates in a game, whether briefly or by impersonation, the game will be classed as a forfeit and +5 points to the other team. (the game can still be played pending on circumstances, however it is an automatic win to the other team).

    If the infringement occurs again or if the infringement is deemed more, the penalties will be decided by the committee based on the incident's details and may vary. These can include suspension of up to 4 weeks to the player trying to play, loss of 8 competition points or removal of the team from the competition with no refunds given.

    FORFEIT POLICY:
    If your team forfeits 3 times within the competition it will be removed from the competition with no refund provided. Please make sure your away of the competition dates, do not register if your team may need to forfeit multiple times, it is not fair on other teams.

  • UNSPORTSMAN LIKE BEHAVIOUR

    BULLYING, RACISM - ZERO TOLERANCE

    We have a strict no-tolerance policy against bullying, racism, and poor sportsmanship. Any player displaying such behaviour, including swearing, will sit out for the rest of the game, and their details will be recorded. The committee will review the incident and impose penalties, which can range from suspensions to team removal from the competition.

    Send offs: If the referee sees fit to impose a send off during a game, the team organiser of the team with the player sent off must submit a report for the committee's review within 48 hours otherwise the committee will review reports they do have and finalise the length of suspension from the information they do have. The standard suspension for a send off is two matches, but this can change if necessary according to the nature of the incident and our send off grading.
    You can view this here

    Abuse of Referees & Officials: Abuse towards referees or officials is strictly forbidden from anyone, including parents and spectators. Offenders may face long-term or lifetime bans. If a spectator fails to leave after being asked due to abusive behaviour, the game will stop until they exit.

  • Newcastle Junior Oztag – Forfeit Fee Policy

    To ensure fairness, consistency, and respect for all teams, referees, and scheduling logistics, Newcastle Junior Oztag has implemented the following Forfeit Fee Policy:

    Forfeit Fee: $30

    • Any team that fails to show up for a scheduled game without notice at all OR shows up with less than 5 players will be charged a $30 forfeit fee.

    • The forfeit fee must be paid before the team’s next scheduled game. Failure to do so may result in the team being unable to take the field until the fee is settled.

    • If a team notifies us of a forfeit by 2pm the day of play, they will not be charged the fee.

    How to Notify a Forfeit:

    To forfeit a game, teams must contact the Newcastle Junior Oztag coordinator via:

    • Email: newcastlejnrs@oztag.com.au

    • Phone/Text: 0401279544

    Please include your team name, division, and the date/time of the game being forfeited.

    We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a respectful and organised competition for all involved.

  • Win - 3 points

    Loss - 1 point

    Draw - 2 points

    Bye - 3 points

    Forfeit Against - 0 points and score 0 for, 5 against.

    Forfeit For - 3 points (win) and automatic score of 5 tries



  • Extra time in finals is first try scorer wins.

    We play top 2 teams on the ladder grandfinal only. Due to limited amount of time we have, we can only allow one week of finals.

  • Team organisers are responsible for signing the score card at the completion of the game, NOT children.

    If the score card is signed by each team the score will not change.

    Any score discrepancies must be shown to the competition organisers 48 hours after the completion of the round otherwise all scores will remain the same and will not change.

  • If you have a complaint, concern or issue that the referee may not have seen as they cannot see everything or hear everything. This needs to be done 48 hrs from when the incident has occurred.

    Please make sure that you come to the canteen to report the incident in a calm, respectful manner so we can deal with it straight away not after the incident has had time to escalate further.

    We appreciate any feedback so please feel free to message us or come and see us.

    All reports are to be sent to committeenoztag@gmail.com

    If you wish to appeal a suspension received from the committee please apply via this form, this is to be done within 24 hours of receiving the suspension email from the committee, otherwise it stands as the final decision as per email. The Cost to appeal a suspension is $200 which must be paid into the bank account according to the time frame above.

    Bank details: Newcastle Junior Oztag
    BSB: 637000 ACCOUNT NUMBER: 720333074

    A person who has been sanctioned by the Disciplinary Panel has the right to appeal the decision, except where the penalty imposed is a one (1) match suspension, which is final and not subject to appeal. Appeals may only be made in accordance with this procedure.

  • All wet weather updates will be posted on our Noticeboard page by 3:30pm on game day, unless the fields are closed earlier by the council.

    If it starts to rain or there is a storm during games, we will post updates about suspending or canceling games on the mobile noticeboard as soon as possible. It’s quicker to make one big post than to message each team individually.

    Newcastle Junior Oztag has the right to alter the competition times, dates due to wet weather, other weather events or public health orders.

    We allow for two wet weather rounds on two scheduled Sundays throughout the competition. Pending on team numbers we may also be able to play double headers if super rounds aren’t already being played for some competitions.