Lismore is certainly living up to its title of ‘regional sporting capital’ this weekend. From midget cars to little athletics, Lismore has a huge lineup of sport coming up.
The main event is the Little Athletics NSW Region One Championships, which will see 800 athletes vying for state selection at Riverview Park. Over the weekend athletes will compete in track events from 60 to 3,000 metres, shot put, long jump, high jump, discus, javelin and triple jump.
Families will travel from as far south as Forster and west to Narrabri and Moree to compete in the Little Athletics Championships, injecting thousands of dollars into the local economy.
‘We’re extremely pleased to be having the championships in Lismore this year as the facilities here are some of the best in the region,’ said Stephen Nicolas, president of the Northern Rivers Zone Little Athletics NSW Championship organising committee.
‘The track is very fast and all the field events can be watched from the perimeter of the track, unlike many other venues where many of the events are run away from the main track making viewing particularly difficult.’
The sporting festivities continue with the World Midget (Speedcar) Championships (Round 7). Drivers from all over the world will compete at the Lismore Showground tonight and tomorrow night.
Friday night is also the Triple Z FM Northern Premier League 20/20 cricket match at Oakes Oval at 7.30pm. Then on Saturday, the Lismore Turf Club is hosting a Country ‘Matinee’ TAB meet at the Turf Club.
‘It’s such a huge sporting weekend for Lismore – more and more we are seeing these major events and the influx of visitors has a huge impact. The dollars and vibrancy it brings to the city is brilliant,’ said Council’s tourism coordinator Mitch Lowe.
‘I love Lismore’s versatility – on one hand we have excellent sporting facilities and world-class events and on the other an internationally acclaimed arts program and lots of creative industries. It’s that diversity that makes our city great.’