Ex-rugby star Mark Gasnier brings Tri Tag to Northern Territory

A former Australian rugby star has made the trip around the NT to promote his new innovative game. Find out what some of the lucky schoolkids have been learning. Plus, see the pictures.

Mark Gasnier introduces Tri Tag Rugby to the NT.

Former Australian rugby league footballer Mark Gasnier has introduced “a non-contact alternative” form of rugby called Tri Tag to multiple schools across the Territory in a 10-day trip to promote his seven-month old game.

Gasnier, 41, created the more body-friendly version of rugby to give participants of all shapes and sizes, including young players, the chance to enjoy the sport.

He said the rules of the game were 85 per cent union and were based off when he transitioned from playing league for St George Illawarra in the NRL to union footy in France.

In his trip to the Territory so far, the former 15-time Australian representative and 175-game Dragon has visited the Stars Foundation, Clontarf Foundation, Essington Senior College and O’Loughlin Catholic College.

Tagging alongside Gasnier on the trip across different parts of the Territory to showcase the game has been Rugby NT development officer Christopher Bedford.

Mark Gasnier with Essington Senior College.

Gasnier said he was motivated to continue expanding the game to help steer the development and growth of players.

“The fact that I believe the future of contact sport is a non-contact introduction (inspired me to do this),” Gasnier said.

“That does not mean it is a compulsory introduction, I am a big believer in having the contact pathway system there and don’t change it.

“In parallel with the contact pathway, you offer a non-contact option and you let the parents choose.

“If you’re a parent, you know your kid better than anyone and you choose whether they want to play contact or non-contact.

“More importantly, as they progress through the system, you always have the option to switch between either or.”

Mark Gasnier with Stars foundation.

Rules of Tri Tag

Eight vs. eight on half a rugby field.

Half-way line and try lines are the sidelines. You run sideline to sideline.

You get seven tags to score a try.

You can kick on any play as high or as long as you want.

The uniforms consist of three tags, not two.

Mark Gasnier with O’Loughlin Catholic College.

Gasnier said the response to the game in the Territory was “really good” with the former centre and five-eight saying “there were such athletic kids” in the Top End.

Tri Tag has more than 400 participants in the northern beaches of NSW at Newport since it was first introduce last year.

He said he has been working with Rugby Australia and the member unions to get responses from people on the game and find out how it could fit into the pathways.

Gasnier said the focus ahead would be on working to establish a plan on implementing the game into the pathway.

Mark Gasnier with the Clontarf foundation.

Gasnier spoke of his personal journey in rugby where he was “gung ho” with contact when he was a child being the youngest of four boys in his family.

But he said he would go down the non-contact path with one of his two children now and contact with the other.

Gasnier said he believed his unique game would suit all players but specifically those who were late developers and would be more likely to enjoy the game in a non-contact capacity.

“You are keeping kids within a community organisation and they are still interacting together regardless of if they playing contact or non-contact,” he said.

There will be a come and try session on Wednesday, May 23 from 6pm onwards at Rugby Park Marrara.