PORT Stephens OzTag will parade their emerging talent at the upcoming NSW Junior State Cup Championships in Coffs Harbour.
The best young OzTaggers in the state get an opportunity to shine at elite level when they square off in the Under 12s to Under 17s girls and boys categories from Friday 20 February to Sunday 22 February at Coffs International Stadium.
Rookie coach Aimee McCaull of Anna Bay believes her Port Stephens Under 13 Girls can be a competitive force at the prestigious three-day event.
“We have a core of players with Junior State Cup experience that participated at the 2025 tournament who have built strong connections since the squad was assembled last November,” she told News Of The Area.
“The girls share a tight bond and have the athletic prowess and OzTag skills to go a long way.
“Our defensive structure is a strong point and we have a group of committed players that have trained the house down since coming together before Christmas last year.”
The Port Stephens Under 13s will play seven preliminary round fixtures with the team goal to secure a quarter final berth.
“To reach the final eight would be a huge achievement for our girls who are up against some of the finest young OzTaggers in NSW.”
Eight of the squad – middles Charlee Cameron-Rypstra, Zara McCaull and Elizabeth Lampton; fullbacks Dixie-Louise Kopiejka and Ivy Lidbury; wingers Scarlett Adams, Zarlee Curry and 12-year-old dynamo link Indi Sempf, gained valuable experience last season with the Under 12s representative squad.
“Several of the girls have netball, rugby league and athletics backgrounds and have made a smooth transition into OzTag.” Aimee said.
Another young player to watch is the versatile Brynne Dagwell, a talented winger or link and one of the region’s rising netball goal shooters and field athletes.
Charlee and Zara are gifted middles with great vision, pace and ball skills, with Zara earning the Players’ Player trophy at last year’s Junior State Cup OzTag Under 12 titles.
Other squad members include Alannah Timney, Bowie Quinn-Krick, Charlotte Perceval, Dixie-Louise Kopiejka, Emillie Weaver, Kalani Spackman, Kingsley Campbell and Scarlett Cudgeon.
Port Stephens OzTag will also field the following rep squads at Junior State Cup:
U12 Girls: Ashlee Dark, Audrey Keating, Brailee Abraham, Daisy Mae Milne, Ellie Carstairs, Grace Tansey, Hailey Eyles, Hallie Gessell, Harriett Dunn, Hope Rogers, Isabella Roberts, Leilanii Bradshaw, Pippa Carman, Shae Seymour, Skye Robbins and Summer Morgan; Nicole Drummond and Yalannah Wright (shadows). Coach: Craig Milne.
U12 Boys: Kai Johnson, Ben Callaghan, Carter Harrison, Cruz Goode, Finn Germon, Jackson Kovalevsky, Jai Snowdon, Jaiden Pritchell, Jason Lampton, Jaxon Fletcher, Max Bass, Quade Kennedy, Ryder McKenna, Tom Piggott, Tipene Atutahi, Zac Snowdon; Albi Jarmain and Jack Goodsir (shadows). Coach: Steve Harrison.
U13 Boys: Ashton Mabb, Ashton Snowdon, Blake Elliott, Bob Barnes, Braxton Boreham, Chase Greedy, Darcy Kyle Chivers, Emmett John Scott, Jasper Papworth, Joey Flynn Gorton, Korbin Scully, Lachlan Redriff, Nate Hodgson, Preston Newman, Taj Markey, Tom Schmahl and Connor Lucas (shadow). Coach: Glenn Bell.
U14 Girls: Aubree O’Flaherty, Audrey Gill, Becky Cox, Cassidy Campbell, Colbie Rudd, Jayla Nanai, Koa Wilson, Lauren Chamberlain, Maalaa McLennan, Mathece Mawby, Malia Time, Matilda Goodsir, Pippa Greedy, Pippa Mahoney, Poppy Maloney, Sage Rowbottom and Scarlet Christie. Coach: Blaine O’Flaherty.
U14 Boys: Carter Giles, Chayce Mooney, Cohen Spruce, Harvey Canavan, Hayden Bink, Jacob Gordon, Jacob Redriff, Jimi Nolan, Kye Lawrence, Liam Ball, Mehki Browne, Nash Hungry, Nate Imber, Quade Cassar, Reuben Doring and Will Lawlor; Tyronn Pritchell and Alex Dodd (shadows). Coach: CJ Spruce.
U15 Girls: Addison Harper Krick, Alera Lyons, Ava Lochhead, Bella Dickson, Bianca Gibbons, Charlotte Jones, Grace Allen, Kayla Kennedy, Lila Foot, Matilda Papworth, Matilda Rice, Pippa Burggraaff, Sienna Piggott and Skila Ganzerla. Coach: Imogen O’Flaherty.
U15 Boys: Alex Robinson, Broc Burns, Charlie Ellis, Charlie Jones, Elijah Page, Ethan Locking, Izaiyah Kupenga, Jet Goode, Lawson Shields, Mason Fletcher, Nate Kahiry, Noah Fletcher, Noah Fuller, Orlando Chestnut, Taj Richardson and Will Seca; Maddox Whitehouse, Jaxon Petrelis and Brayde Hurrel (shadows). Coach: Rob Fletcher.
U16/17 Girls: Caitlyn Ashpole, Edith Crampton, Emily Mitchell, Emma Grant, Georgia Thoroughgood, Hannah Bremmell, Hayley Ashpole, Indianah Lawrence, Isabelle Groves, Kalli Bates, Kiarna Barrett, Litiana Durbin, Olivia Brooks and Tazminn Lane. Coach: Faith Gardiner.
U16 Boys: Brock Carter, Bronson Hayes, Jacoby Cristobal, Jake Kopiejka, Jake Marsh, Jaxon Doring, Kobi Ferguson, Kobi Jobson, Lachlan Grieve, Lennox Lee, Makiah Green, Quade Adam Jefferies, Sonny Evans, Tom McKenna, Tyler Brendan Jones and Xavier Jefferies; Cooper Smith, Chayce Parkes, Bailey Laws and Cooper Barrett (shadows). Coach: Phill Doring.
U17 Boys: Abe Kareem, Baylee Jenkins, Broc Agnew, Cameron Munro, Cayden Jones, Darryn Vaggs, Hunter Chappell, Ingmar Beks, Jesse Sepos, Jonte Burns, Jothanthan Lee Doyle, Kai Morris Maher, Korban Patteson, Logan Williams, Max Peachey, Nash Rowbottom, Nathaniel Curry, Ryan Pietraszek, Talon McLennan and Xavier Whiteman. Coaches: Simon Chappell and Tyler Harrison.
By Chris KARAS
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