The Junior Tag Nationals
Held annually in December
Under 7s – Under 16s
NZTFI Junior Tag Nationals
New Zealand’s premier
youth tag event.
The NZTFI Junior Tag Nationals is Aotearoa’s premier youth tag tournament, bringing together the best young players from across the country. Established as a key development initiative by the New Zealand Tag Football Institute (NZTFI), the event has grown year on year — uniting hundreds of junior athletes, coaches, and supporters in a vibrant celebration of tag football.
Open to players aged 6 to 16, the Junior Tag Nationals provides a space for both emerging and experienced players to grow their love for the game. Divisions from Under 7s to Under 12s are non-competitive, focused on participation, development, and fun. Competitive divisions begin at Under 13s, where players compete for national titles while showcasing their skills at a higher level of play.
NZTFI Junior Tag Nationals
Youth development, Inclusive competition, Positive experiences
At its heart, the Junior Tag Nationals exists to provide opportunity, growth, and excellence for the next generation of tag football talent. The tournament supports:
These values align with NZTFI’s broader mission: to develop the sport of tag football across all levels, with tamariki and rangatahi at the centre of everything we do.
nclusive competition – welcoming rangatahi of all backgrounds, skill levels, and communities.
Positive experiences – promoting sportsmanship, team spirit, and personal confidence.
Youth development – creating a pathway from grassroots to national representation for young taggers.
NZTFI Junior Tag Nationals
In 2025, the JTN averages 200+ teams across 40 tag fields.
From humble beginnings in 2014 as a one-day tournament with just 25 teams, the Junior Tag Nationals has evolved into one of the world’s largest junior tag events. Today, it regularly welcomes over 200 teams, competing across 40 fields over three full days of action!
This growth reflects the strong community behind the game and the commitment to providing meaningful sporting experiences for young players. With clear pathways into national teams and international events, the Junior Tag Nationals continues to play a key role in the development of tag football in Aotearoa.