kiwitagNELSON

What is Kiwi Tag?

Kiwi Tag is a non-contact recreational form of rugby league offering alternatives to men, women, children & mixed competitions. Founded in 1992, in Australia as a training tool for First Grade NRL rugby league teams Tag has now developed into one of the fastest growing recreational sports in Australia with more than 45,000 players. In the summer of 1993, the game launched in New Zealand with Perry Haddock introducing this exciting game to Auckland. Eight years ago (2000) Auckland Kiwi Tag formulated as an incorporated society and now has more than 20 modules and 5500 players. 2004 Kiwi Tag was launched in Canterbury with the Celebration Centre Lions Module starting in Christchurch. The game is growing fast in Christchurch with around 1000 players and already we have plans to grow to several sites around the city over the next few years.
What makes this game different to others is that a tackle is effected when a strip of cloth attached by Velcro, known as a tag, is removed from the players waist. All skills are utilised in KIWI TAG including kicking. Passing becomes an attacking weapon, and if a player is put into a gap, there is a high probability they will make a clean break.

** The game is non-contact and the rules are designed to encourage this – You cannot as an attacker run straight at a defender, you must run at the gaps. “Run at spaces not faces!” You cannot as a defender impedes the progress of an attacker, so if you try to get a tag and miss you may well be penalised. The basketball charge rule applies so that whoever initiates contact will be penalised.

The rules are basically the same as Rugby League with the ball being allowed to go to the ground with the advantage rule applying – this results in is a lot of broken field play.

Teams kick off as in League and drop-outs are also taken from one’s own in-goal area. Kicking in general play after the 4^th & 5^th tackle is allowed but it must be below shoulder height. (Grubber Kick)