More than 2000 people from across NSW and Queensland will converge on Lismore in September to take part in one of the nation’s largest regional football tournaments - The Joeys Mini World Cup.

The sun shone down on the home of the Goonellabah Football Club today as the announcement came from Mayor Steve Krieg, General Manager of Lismore City Council John Walker, Cup organisers and Socceroo Football great Rale Rasic.

The prestigious event will be held between September 26 and October 1 and hosted at various football clubs around Lismore.

Lismore City Council General Manager John Walker said Council had worked with Destination NSW, the Northern Rivers Football Academy and Football Far North Coast to secure this regionally significant event for at least the next three years.

“Lismore’s reputation as a sporting and football regional hub makes it the perfect location to continue to grow this event,” he said.

“The tournament will bring more than 2000 people from across NSW and Queensland. In previous years it has attracted teams from Germany and New Zealand. The age categories range from Under 10's up to Under 19's and includes an open women category.

“Council would like to thank Destination NSW, the Northern Rivers Football Academy and Football Far North Coast which will both assist with the coordination of the tournament.”

Steve Krieg spoke regarding accommodation saying that "we will fill every bed in Lismore, and we know there will be teams in Byron, Ballina and Lismore this time, as when the cup begins we will be at 8 months of recovery, and more than 2000 people, I am hoping to see Lismore welcome more like 4000, which will support accommodation businesses and also hospitality businesses, to which he laughed and said he was "even happier about. It's going to be just what Lismore needs and at the right time".

Heinrich Haussler, one of the organisers spoke about participants booked and ready to come, happy to support the rebuild phase through staying in camping-style accommodation this year if needed, but of course, this is a regional cup, as Mayor Krieg reinforced, the neighbouring towns will be supportive and benefit from the overflow of the influx to the region as well, and as a regional area "we stick together and look after each other".

Heinrich also spoke about the generous donations of $9000 in sporting gear for local clubs plus $3000 for the clubs that become the hubs for these games from Joeys Mini World Cup further supporting the rise of some more happy young people, engaged in sport in the region.

General Manager of Football North Coast Steve Mackney said the event is fantastic for the region and well supported and encouraged by football stars such as Ashley Wilson, and the event has something for everyone in the family. He also said that while Football North Coast had lost 1000 players since the floods occurred, there are still 6200 players, despite the obstacles, and this event is extremely encouraging for the 2023 season and beyond.

For the families thinking of starting their kids into a Soccer club, he encouraged bringing them along and finding a local club that their friends are already a part of, as kids tend to go where their friends are, and it works to keep them engaged. The season goes from April to September so bringing them along will be sure to get them excited for starting next year.

The Joeys Mini World Cup is an annual regional football tournament played during the September/October School Holidays. It began in 2010 at Inverell and quickly grew into one of the nation’s largest regional football tournaments. It eventually moved to Hervey Bay to allow for more growth where it remained until 2021.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said the tournament would be a natural fit for Lismore given the city’s long history of hosting large sporting events that benefits our local economy and businesses.

“It’s going to be wonderful welcoming the players and families to Lismore,” he said.

“We have a long tradition of successfully hosting large national sporting events and this six-day Cup is estimated to generate more than $2.2 million.

“It could not come at a better time with many of our businesses reopening after the February natural disaster with more to open soon.”

Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin said this event will showcase the football stars of tomorrow while providing a welcome boost to the local visitor economy.

“The NSW Government is proud to support the Joeys Mini World Cup, which is an important pipeline for the development of Australia’s future professional and senior footballers. I am delighted it will be hosted in a football-loving community like Lismore for the next three years.” Mr Franklin said.

“I commend the event organisers in light of recent challenges in the region and thank all stakeholders for their commitment to this event to make sure kids are back playing a high level of competitive football.

“The Joeys Mini World Cup will draw thousands of competitors, supporters and officials, which will also provide a fantastic boost to the visitor economy of the Northern Rivers region.”

Joey's Mini World Cup owner Heinrich Haussler said he was thrilled to bring the popular event to Lismore.

“Lismore City Council, the Northern Rivers Football Academy and Football Far North Coast have been very proactive in securing the event,” he said.

“Now with the support of Destination New South Wales, I am looking forward to growing this into a staple in the Lismore sporting event calendar.”

Joeys Mini World Cup is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

For more information go to: https://www.joeysminiworldcuplismore.com/