World's best Tag Football players bring ‘A’ game to Auckland

6 December 2012

Media Release: General Release

Best Tag Football players worldwide bring their ‘A’ game to Auckland today

Up to 2000 players will battle it out at the 3-day ITFF World Cup of Tag Football 2012 North Harbour Stadium starting today.

It’s the first major event international event to promote the sport of Tag Football hosted by the International Tag Football Federation (ITFF) in association with New Zealand Tag Football Incorporated (NZTFI) and Oz Tag Australia.

Tag football giants OzTag Australia go up against arch rivals New Zealand Tag Football Inc (NZTFI) who have battled it out annually. Not surprisingly Australia has come out tops but NZTFI have gained ground over the years with their junior grades taking out the Trans-Tasman Intersecondary Schools competition this year in April.

But there are no easy rides. Tough competition comes from New Zealand Maori, Australia Indigenous, Malta and Lebanon with a large number of Australian based players.

The Pacific nations are no slouches either having mostly New Zealand based players. And although some such as Fiji and Tokelau are relatively new to the sport, the Pacific nations have taken it up in numbers and could potentially bring an upset if they bring their ‘A’game.

Last night more than 800 people were soaked in last night’s heavy downpours watching the opening ceremony. Representatives from the 15 nations withstood heavy downpours dressed in their country colours for the 1-hour opening ceremony on the grounds outside the stadium.

“We’re Tag players” said ITFF Chair Bill Harrigan jokingly before declaring the event open.

Officials and visitors were called into the arena by local Maori and a children’s Kapa Haka group.

The New Zealand Maori contingent led the countries in followed by New Zealand and then the other countries including Australia, Australia Indigenous, New Zealand, New Zealand Maori, Great Britain, Ireland, Lebanon, Malta, Japan, Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, But the biggest hit of the night were the buff bods from Samoan Dance Troupe Deelicious who stole the show and mixed some ‘hot’ moves in the Slap Dance.

Games started today at 8:45am and run through daily until 8pm.

Dates to diary:

Day 1 – Thursday 6 December 2012 – Official start of games

Day 2 – Friday 7 December 2012 – Games continue

Day 3 Saturday 8 December 2012 – Finals Day

www.internationaltagfootball.com

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