by admin | Mar 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
Oztag prides itself on being a sport for everyone and 64-year old Joe Burns is proof of that.
Burns lost his left leg in a motorcycle accident when he was 17-years old but has never let his disability stop him from competing at almost every opportunity.
This weekend, he’s playing for Norwest in the Mens 55s division at the NSW Senior State Cup at Coffs Harbour.
“If I can play Oztag, anyone can play Oztag. It really is a game for everyone and it’s not like touch where its all about speed. It’s more like rugby league where you need to use skill and different parts of the game and that allows me to compete evenly against a lot of these guys,” Burns told Oztag Australia.
“You don’t need to be six foot tall or full of muscles, you don’t need to be super fast or have incredible skill, there is a spot for everyone on an Oztag field and that’s what I love about it.”
The former South Sydney rugby league player won five medals at four Paralympics including a gold medal at the 1984 New York games but didn’t play his first game of Oztag until three years ago, almost 15 years after he retired from competitive sport following the 2000 Sydney Paralympics.
“At 62, they needed an extra in an Oztag side so I thought I’d make a return. This is my third State Cup and I can still hold my own with most of them.”
Regardless of age, shape, gender or ability, Burns said he thought anyone that tried Oztag would immediately fall in love with the sport.
“No one treats you any differently and the beauty of it is, I’m a competitive guy and it gives me a chance to prove I can beat anyone else on the field every time I play,” he said.
“People look but no one cares, I’m just another player out here on the field and I’m just as competitive as anyone else.”
by admin | Mar 29, 2019 | Uncategorized
Kiama has started the 2019 NSW Senior State Cup in style, dominating the Women’s and Mixed Opens divisions.
The south coast sides were dominant on the opening day of the tournament, winning all three matches in both divisions.
Kiama Women’s side started the tournament with tight win over Parramatta, then proved for Norwest and Penrith late on day one.
The Mixed Opens were equally impressive in wins over Norwest, Sydney City and St George, conceding just four tries in their three matches.
197 teams from right around New South Wales will battle for spots in Sunday’s finals on day two of the 2019 NSW Senior State Cup.
Finals begin on Sunday at 12:30pm on Sunday.
Click here to follow all the live scores this weekend.
by admin | Mar 28, 2019 | Uncategorized
With the 2019 NSW Senior State Cup just one sleep away, we thought we’d take a look back at last year’s winners.
Last year, Central Coast claimed the overall club championship with five premierships.
2018 NSW Senior State Cup Grand Final Results:
Mixed Opens (Div 1): Macarthur 7-5 Parramatta
Mixed Opens (Div 2): Fairfield City 6-0 Newcastle
Mixed 20s: Penrith 8-0 Central Coast
Senior Mixed: Sydney All Stars 3-1 St George
Men’s Opens (Div 1): Homebush 6-2 St George
Men’s Opens (Div 2): Engadine Heathcote 1-0 Ryde Eastwood
Men’s 20s: Penrith 5-5 Souths – Penrith declared champions
Men’s 30s: Penrith 3-1 Liverpool
Men’s 35s: Central Coast 8-1 Port Macquarie
Men’s 40s: Norwest 4-3 Macarthur
Men’s 45s: Central Coast 8-1 Port Macquarie
Men’s 50s: Central Coast 4-2 South West
Men’s 55s: Souths 1-0 Cronulla
Women’s Opens (Div 1): Central Coast 3-1 Kiama
Women’s Opens (Div 2): Macarthur 2-1 Coffs Harbour
Women’s 20s: Central Coast 5-1 Penrith
Women’s Seniors: Souths 3-2 Port Macquarie
Women’s Masters: South West 5-0 Central Coast
