Sunshine Coast tagged in international sporting spotlight

Sunshine Coast continues to bask in the international sporting spotlight with Council today (January 15) announcing it has won the rights to host the 2015 Tag World Cup at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Acting Mayor Chris Thompson said Council was well on its way to positioning the region as Australia’s premier regional major events destination with thousands of players and their travelling companions expected to attend the 2015 Tag World Cup held from December 3 to 6.

“We estimate this international event will generate more than $2.3 million in economic activity for the Sunshine Coast, including more than 14,000 room nights for our local accommodation providers,” Cr Thompson said.

“The 2015 Tag World Cup is the latest of many major events held in our beautiful region, attracting large visitor numbers, providing a very welcome boost for our small businesses and helping to create a sustainable local economy.

“Our latest regional tourism figures continue to build. Last year we recorded a 10.9% increase in domestic visitors and a State-leading 9.4% growth in international visitors.

“Winning the rights to events such as the Tag World Cup markets the region to a new audience which we hope will translate into return visits.

"More than 1500 will be international visitors and almost 700 will come from interstate.

“This is a major coup for the Sunshine Coast and puts us on the map in terms of hosting events of this size.”

Tourism, Sport and Major Event Portfolio Councillor Jason OPray said the 2015 Tag World Cup would be the first of two international and world championship events to be held at the Sunshine Coast Stadium and Kawana Sports Precinct between December 2015 and May 2016.

“The other major event is the World Va’a Federation Outrigging Sprint titles to be held on Lake Kawana,” Cr OPray said.

“For the Tag World Cup it is expected teams will come from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, South Africa, New Zealand and several South Pacific countries.

“Other countries will be represented by ex-pats from Lebanon, Cook Islands, Vietnam and a number of teams representing Indigenous Australia and New Zealand. The tournament covers Men’s, Women’s and mixed divisions from under 20s to over 55s.”

Division 3 Councillor Peter Cox said events of this calibre helped grow the awareness and recognition of the Sunshine Coast Stadium and Kawana Sports Precinct as one of Queensland's and Australia's premier regional major events venues.

“It is truly a privilege to welcome the many participants and a great opportunity to showcase the Sunshine Coast to international teams and their supporters,” Cr Cox said.

Australian Oztag, Tournament Director, Bill Harrigan said we are looking forward to hosting the World Cup here in Australia and in particular on the Sunshine Coast.

“The venue is terrific and being on the Coast gives our overseas visitors an added bonus to experience the great Aussie beaches,” he said.

“Auckland 2012 was a resounding success so we have a lot of hard work to do to take the World Cup to another level.

“I am also pleased to announce Oztag Australia will also hold the 2015 Oztag State of Origin at Sunshine Coast Stadium on May 1 and 2.”

Tag fast facts

• International Tag football events have been staged between Australia and New Zealand since 2007.
• The Tag World Cup is played every three years with the first World Cup being staged in New Zealand in 2012 with 120 teams representing 11 countries competing.
• The International Tag Federation (ITF) is the governing body of Tag football throughout the world. ITF was formed in 2008 by the Australian Oztag Sports Association and New Zealand Tag Football Incorporated.
• There are currently 17 member countries of the ITF.
• The Australian Oztag Sports Association acts as the secretariat to the ITF Board.
• Tag football is a non-tackling version of rugby league. Tagging instead of tackling is great for players of all skill levels, size and weight to compete evenly. Each tag team consists of up to 16 players and coaching staff, with only eight players per team allowed on the field during the match. 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.
• Normal dimensions of the field are 70 metres by 50 metres
• Games are usually played over 40 minutes, two 20 minute halves. Times may be varied to suit age groups and conditions.
• In Australia, the sport is called Oztag and has been played for some 22 years.