In another boost for our city and its economy, the Lismore Workers Masters Games returns this year after being cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The biennial event was started in 1999 and has become a popular fixture on the sporting calendar for mature-aged athletes from across New South Wales and Queensland. 2019 was the last time the Masters Games was held in Lismore.

The games will take place from 22-24 September and will feature 12 sports including baseball, cricket, fitness challenge, football, five-a-side, golf, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, OZTAG, softball and pickleball. 

Pickleball is one sport that you may not be familiar with. It is an indoor or outdoor racquet paddle sport where two players or four players get a perforated hollow plastic ball over the net and similar to tennis using solid phase paddles opponents on either side of the net hit the ball back and forth until one side commits a rule infraction. Pickleball will be hosted at GSAC on Sunday the 24th of September.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said he may play golf this year as his chosen sport and is looking forward to seeing over 1000 competitors in town for this year’s games.

“After the cancellation of the 2021 Lismore Masters Games, it is great to see such an iconic Lismore event return to the city,” he said.

“I would like to thank the Lismore Workers Club for once again coming on board as the major sponsor of the event. The Workers Club has been the major sponsor of the Lismore Masters Games every year since the games were first created in 1999. This is an incredible commitment to Lismore.”

In addition to the Lismore Workers Club, Lismore Come to the Heart and we at the Lismore App have come on board to support this year’s games and to show support for our city and its rebuild.

(Lynne Sims Netball, Peter Gallagher 11- A Football, Dianne McGowan Softball, Rick Healy Baseball, Mayor Steve Krieg, Donna Mumford Lismore App, Thomas George, James O’Court – Pickleball)

The influx of participants, spectators, and visitors will provide a welcome boost for local businesses. It is estimated that this year's games will contribute an additional $414,000 to the local economy. 

The games have a reputation for being a great social occasion, with many participants and their supporters taking the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones. 

This year's games are set to build on this reputation with an exciting program of events and activities including a free ticket to the Lismore Cup on Thursday, 21 September.

Registrations are open from today, Wednesday, 10 May. Early bird registrations close on Friday, 30 June, and the final registration cut-off date is Friday, 18 August.

For more information and to register for the event, go to www.lismoremastersgames.com.au.