Around 1,500 players representing 10 Pacific Island nations, including Tonga, and at least 10,000 spectators, turned up to the first ever Oceania Junior Tag Football Tournament held at at Ngati Otara Park in New Zealand last weekend, 9 to 11 March.

The players, from under-8s to under 18s played in teams from Aotearoa Maori, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand Invitational, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga and Queensland Pacific in the competition, organised by the New Zealand Tag Football (NZTFI).

NZTFI Tournament Director and National Development Officer Claude Iusitini said the tournament was a great success.

“Huge weekend! Huge! 86 teams from 10 nations in our first NZTFI Junior Oceania.  Thousands of supporters, great weather!  Everything came together.”

“Seeing so many junior players in their Oceania uniforms out on the Tag field, their skill level, their enthusiasm and the smiles on their faces (was) priceless.”

He said the success of the tournament was a credit to the Tag Football community and everyone behaved from Day one to the finals.

“We couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support. Thanks to all contingents, country co-ordinators, our administration team, all the families, friends and supporters for making this a great first Junior Oceania event.”

He added that hard work and passion from the Tag Football community is a testament to the success of the tournament and the rise in popularity among youngsters.

“Everyone can enjoy the game, from young, old, abilities, shapes and sizes,”

NZTFI Chairman Darryl Bovaird said “There’s a whole new generation of young players coming through and we now have organised pathways for them to play.”

NZTFI will host a Trans-Tasman Tournament in Auckland to end the season against Oz Tag Australia teams.