When COVID tightened its grip in March life as we knew it completely changed including all sport which regional communities like ours thrive on most weekends of the year.

July 18 saw the re-birth of local sport then last weekend Far North Coast Football and NRRRL kicked off their shortened seasons.

The Lismore App is pleased to announce that Matthew Barlow has joined our team to bring you all the latest sport results over the weekend.

(Matt with his sons Jye and Toby)

Matthew or Matt is no stranger to local sport having been involved in the North Coast sports industry for 25 years. He has played AFL, Basketball as well as coaching the Lismore Rugby Club.

Matt moved to Lismore to complete a Bachelor of Human Movement degree at SCU. He finished his degree, fell in love, got married, had two children and hasn't left like many before him.

Currently Matt is employed as the Manager of College Sport at Trinity Catholic College which as Matt says "allows me to enjoy witnessing the positive impact that sport has on young people in our community."

He is also a Board Member of the North Coast Academy of Sport and the Lismore Turf Club, Chairman of the Lismore Masters Games, Patron of Lismore and District Netball Association and Tournament Director of the Byron Bay 7's.

If that doesn't make you think Matt is adequately qualified to report on local sport, he has previously had the privilege of working on events such as the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the FINA World Swimming Championships in 2007.

"I love the fact that sport teaches so many things, resilience, teamwork, discipline and leadership and I love giving back to the industry that has brought me so much enjoyment, friendship and fun over many years," Matt said.

"I look forward to assisting with expanding the coverage of sport in the region."

If you would like your sport covered on the Lismore App, get in touch with Matt via email [email protected]