Junior Tag Nationals – NZ Tag Football Inc.

From humble beginnings.

The Junior Tag Nationals began in 2014 as a one-day tournament called the Junior Tag Regionals, held at Ti Rakau Park in Pakuranga, Auckland, on Sunday, December 7th. That inaugural event featured just 28 teams across five age grades; U7, U9, U11, U13, and U15 Boys and Mixed.

In 2016, the tournament returned as a one-day event hosted at Moyle Park, Mangere, on February 13th, featuring only the U13 and U15 grades with 14 teams entered.

Fast forward to 2016 - 118 teams across 15 age divisions!

Participation remained modest, which prompted a reevaluation of the format. Recognising the potential for growth, the event was rebranded as the Junior Tag Nationals and expanded to a two-day tournament.

Ngati Otara Park in Ōtara was selected as the new venue, with six fields booked and an estimated turnout of 28–32 teams.

However, interest far exceeded expectations—118 teams registered across 15 age divisions.

The Junior Tag Nationals is now New Zealand’s premier junior tag tournament.

This overwhelming response led to rapid expansion—an extra day was added, more fields were booked, and the scale of the tournament significantly increased.Today, the Junior Tag Nationals is one of the largest youth tag events in the country, with an average of over 200 teams competing across 40 fields over three full days.

Its popularity continues to surge, with participation now surpassing that of the Senior Tag Nationals. The event has become a cornerstone of junior tag development, showcasing the incredible growth and enthusiasm for the sport among young players nationwide.