Sports lovers descend on Lismore for Masters Games

More than 1600 sports lovers on the wrong side of 30 will take to the field this weekend for the 11th Lismore Workers Masters Games.

The event is celebrating its 20th year in 2019 and runs from 27-29 September 2019 in Lismore at various venues, with entrants competing in 16 different sports.

Some are first-time beginners, while others have played sport competitively their whole lives.

Lismore’s own Craig Foster, a former Socceroo and long-time SBS sports presenter, will be back in his hometown for the event, playing with his old team mates from the under 12s Richmond-Tweed representative team that won the State Title back in 1981.

While the Lismore Workers Masters Games is a competitive event, the social aspect of the game is just as important as the sporting competition.

“People have been playing in the Masters for the last 20 years and many people travel from across the state, Australia and the world to reconnect with old friends and have some fun,” Lismore City Council Tourism and Events Manager Mitch Lowe said.

“The event also injects more than $1 million into the Lismore economy and fills up our restaurants, clubs, pubs, cafes and accommodation providers, which is excellent for the city. The physiotherapists and the massage therapists might also see a spike in business if past years are anything to go by!”

Mitch extended a special thank you to the Lismore Workers Club for 20 years of sponsorship since the very first Masters Games in 1999 and also thanked the hundreds of volunteers who make the event possible.

“Without the Workers Club’s unwavering support and the countless hours our volunteers willingly donate, there wouldn’t be a Masters Games,” he said.

“We are so proud of this signature event for Lismore and it is testament to the great sporting spirit in this city that it continues to be a success two decades on. We wish all our competitors a fantastic weekend and extend a warm welcome to visitors coming to Lismore.”

Source: Lismore City Council