Lismore has hosted two Legends of Cricket games at Oakes Oval. In 2019, it hosted an AFL Community Series game between the Sydney Swans and the Gold Coast, and in 2022, we had the NSW Blues at Oakes for a training run in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Soccer, or football, as the purists will call it, is the next high-profile sport about to grace Crozier Field or Oakes Oval on Saturday, August 9, when the Newcastle Jets play an A-League pre-season game against the Brisbane Roar. The last time Lismore hosted a pre-season A-League match was in 2013.

On their way to Lismore, the Jets will also visit Taree and Port Macquarie, where they will host Jets: PLAY clinics, school visits, local football club engagement, an open training session and the exhibition match.

Lismore City Council Mayor Steve Krieg said he was delighted to welcome the Newcastle Jets to Lismore.

"This is what the recovery and the rebuild of Lismore is all about. Attracting world-class teams, world-class players and coaches to the region to explore everything that we've got to offer. The Northern Rivers is more than just the coast. We've got great waterfalls and national parks here, as well as some of the greatest sporting facilities in regional Australia. So, it's great to see our sporting facilities utilised by, as I say, world-class athletes coached by world-class humans."

"What they're actually doing is establishing Lismore as a sporting destination for these bigger clubs, and that's the beginning of the legacy that this event will provide for us. So, it's still about the awareness of where we're at, but we're also coming back stronger and bigger than ever. So it's a really positive and strong message that the Newcastle Jets are providing for us."

When Mayor Krieg introduced former Socceroo and newly appointed head coach of the Newcastle Jets, Mark Milligan, he enthused over his achievements.

"For those who are too young to remember 2006, when Australia qualified for the World Cup. Mark was part of that squad. So, he's heavily ingrained in the history and folklore of Australian sport, and in soccer and culture as well. It's great that you're bringing Newcastle up to Lismore for your training camp, to get out of the cities and to see the regional centre. We are really grateful for your support.

"We have to acknowledge the support of their sponsors, the Greater Bank. None of this happens without sponsorship and without corporate backing.

Mark Milligan said he wants to instil a sense of community into the players at the Jets.

"We can't expect support from the community if we're not willing to go out and give back where we can as well. And obviously, as you mentioned, with the support of Greater Bank, we've been able to organise this, albeit at late notice, and to be able to cap it off with a game for the locals to come out and watch. It's a fantastic opportunity for our players, and it's a fantastic opportunity for the community, so we're extremely grateful for what you're doing for us and what you're providing."

Mark explained that the clinic run in Lismore is an opportunity for 200 kids to be among the players and coaching staff.

"It's very important that the younger generation have an understanding of who we are and what we represent. We have great numbers that play the game, and parents and kids give up a lot of their time to be involved in that. And as I said, us reaching out and being able to provide not only support from afar, but be a part of it. And you know, we'll have myself and my staff and players involved in these events as well. It's not just about a weekend away for us, it's about really giving back. And the expectation that we have of ourselves as a club is to give what we expect to get back as well."

"It's open to all kids and of all abilities, of all ages, boys and girls. And I think that's the most important thing," Mark said.

Registration details for the Lismore clinic will be announced soon.

As for the facilities at Crozier Field and Oakes Oval?

"We've had a good look around. It's a fantastic facility. I believe it's quite new as well. We had a good look downstairs at all the change rooms. We were trying to find a really small change room for Brisbane," Mark laughed, "But, it's a fantastic setup here."

From a football perspective, it will be one of the first times that the region will see the new-look Newcastle side. Newly appointed head coach Mark Milligan has added to the squad by signing some stars, including Japanese international Kota Mizunuma and Scottish Premiership defender Joe Shaughnessy.

Mark said he is stubborn about how he wants the Jets to play, so that will be on display during the pre-season clash with the Brisbane Roar.

2025 Jets TOUR Details:

PLAY Clinic:

Date: Saturday, 9 August

Venue: Oakes Oval, Lismore

Time: 4:30pm

Exhibition Match:

Date: Saturday, 9 August

Venue: Crozier Field, Lismore

Kick Off: 3pm

Tickets: On sale from Tuesday through Oztix. They are expected to be $20, with children under 12 free.

Crozier Field holds a crowd of approximately 3,000. If that is exceeded, the match will be transferred to Oakes Oval, which has a capacity of 10,000.