The “massive” growth of Oztag in Tamworth is perhaps best reflected in a group of talented young women and girls who will travel to Coffs Harbour this week to defend their national title.
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The Northern NSW Bears under-20 women’s side have been a prime beneficiary of a big spike in the number of junior Oztag players, said Pam Potts, a Tamworth-based Oztag development officer.
“Now that the juniors is much stronger in Tamworth, that filters through to the senior side when the players step up,” she said.
“I believe it’s the experience they get before they hit seniors that enables them to perform so well.”
It's ridiculously busy. We've had a record summer with 128 teams. It's so massive
- Pam Potts
That fact has been underlined by the results of the Bears’ under-20 women, with the side made up entirely of Tamworth players – spearheaded by co-captains Abby Schmiedel and Brodii Ingram.
The side is gunning for a trifecta of titles. They added the 2017 State Cup to their 2016 national title.
Both those tournaments were held in Coffs Harbour, giving the side another advantage heading into the 2017 nationals – played Friday to Sunday.
“Two or three of the players will move up to opens after this tournament, so they really want to give it a good shot,” Potts said, adding: “It’s pretty much the same side.
“They’ve got a good chance.
“They’ve lost a couple of senior players through injury and moving away but they’ve got some good replacement girls.
“Hopefully they’ll be in the final again.”
The State Cup triumph qualified the team for a club champions tournament in New Zealand in December.
In Coffs Harbour, they will be joined by six other Northern NSW sides – under-20 mixed, over-35 masters women, senior mixed and over-30, 40 and 45 men.
