Australian Oztag to hold five marquee events per year in Coffs Harbour from 2027 to 2031

CITY of Coffs Harbour is set to lock-in a multi-year contract to host five flagship sports events which will generate up to $100 million in economic impact over the term of the proposed agreement.

The arrangement – negotiated by the City and Australian Oztag – would confirm Coffs Harbour as the venue for the Junior State Shield, Junior State Cup, Senior State Cup, Junior Australian Championships and Senior Australian Championships from next year through to June 2031.

While Coffs Harbour has hosted Oztag events since 2016, the proposed agreement will provide certainty for both the City and Australian Oztag as, until now, event staging was negotiated on an annual basis.

“This will be a fantastic result for both parties. Oztag loves holding its events here because we have the infrastructure where they can do everything at a single site, and Coffs loves welcoming these athletes, officials and supporters as they generate a substantial boost to the economy,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.

“The advantage of having Coffs Coast Sports and Leisure Park on the doorstep of the C.ex Coffs International Stadium ticks the boxes for Oztag – as do the beaches, the ease of getting to and moving around Coffs, and the warm welcome always extended to the athletes.”

City Planning and Communities Director Ian Fitzgibbon said an assessment of the value of strengthening the long relationship with Oztag was compelling.

“The five-event Oztag portfolio is weighted as a high-performing investment for the City, generating up to $20m per year in economic impact and you can see that in the direct boost to accommodation providers, cafes and restaurants, pubs and clubs,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“There’s also legacy value for Coffs Harbour in that the premium participant experience of athletes and supporters leads to repeat visitation like family summer holidays.”

The proposed portfolio agreement does not include State of Origin and International Tag Series events, which will continue to be considered separately.

“Extending our long-standing partnership with the City of Coffs Harbour through to 2031 is a fantastic outcome for Australian Oztag,” Australian Oztag CEO Chris Cowan said.

“Securing a multi-year agreement for these five flagship tournaments provides our organisation and the local community with certainty and stability moving forward.

“The sporting precinct in Coffs Harbour is unmatched in regional Australia for Oztag events fielding 300-plus teams or upwards of 5,000 players plus support crews, referees, friends and families. Having the C.ex Coffs International Stadium allows us to deliver high-calibre pathway events for our athletes while giving players, families, and supporters an exceptional off-field destination experience.”

As well as providing operational and in-kind support for the staging of Oztag events, the City will pay a fee as part of the partnership agreement with Australian Oztag and that amount is commercial-in-confidence.

Coffs will host three major Oztag events in the back half of this year – the ITF Tag World Cup on 15-18 October and the Australian Championships Juniors on 30 October-1 November and the Seniors on 13-15 November.