The Southern Cross University Gold Rats are back from a hiatus from Far North Coast Rugby Union.The Gold Rats have struggled to field teams in recent years due to dwindling numbers of students on campus due to COVID restrictions, with their last competition match played in August 2020.The club has a rich history in FNC Rugby Union and it is exciting to see the club get to a stage where they can play a trial match this weekend.The fixture against Kyogle was an annual event until the Gold Rats could not field a team pre-COVID, but numbers have been positive since pre-season training commenced in January.A good intake of students during "O-Week" at the University has boosted the clubs numbers.The trial against Kyogle will be played at Maurie Ryan Oval at SCU commencing at 6:30pm on Saturday 18 March, with bar and bistro facilities available from the deck overlooking the ground.Sanctus Brewing have come on board to support the club in the 2023 season and will run a number of promotions on the day.Several events have been organised throughout the season, with the 30 year anniversary of the 1993 Premierships a highlight.The club last won a First Grade Premiership in 2002 and it will be a steady building phase to get the club back to it's former glory days but the committee is conscience of the task at hand and is looking forward to the rebuild.Club training for both seniors and juniors has included regular sessions throughout March with coaching legends, ex-Wallabies and England Assistant Coach Scott Wisemantel and former Gold Rats legend Sean Hedger.Current Waratahs Coach Darren Coleman will also make an appearance this year at the 1993 reunion, a team he was a part of.The club will also field junior teams in an upcoming junior tournament in Lennox Head in early April, something that the club is looking to build on in the 2023 season.

Gooenallabah Workers Sports will host a crucial LJ Hooker League Semi Final against Tweed Banora Colts at Oakes Oval on Saturday and Sunday.The home side finished on top of the LJ Hooker League table after only losing one match throughout the 2022/23 season.The two sides last clashed in Round 7 in January when Goonellabah chased down a big total of 7/311 declared, winning by 3 wickets in the 71st over.The chase was led by Jack Cooper, who posted 113 and was joined by Kaleb Armstrong with 65 and Sam McLean with 46.Reece Gregor (GWS) and Thomas Byrnes (Tweed Banora) topped the wicket takers across the Hooker League season, both taking 30 wickets for their respective clubs and they will look to continue the trend in the semi.Byrnes has also scored 660 runs and will be a target for the GWS bowlers this weekend.Goonellabah are also in the box seat if the match finishes in a draw or weather plays a part in the match as the team finishing higher on the ladder will progress through with the advantage.Play will commence at 1:00pm on Saturday.In the other semi final Cudgen will host Pottsville at Reg Dalton Oval.The winner of each semi final will compete in the Final to be held next weekend.

The Lismore Rugby Union Club will hold their season launch on Saturday with a big day planned.The season launch has been a big part of the calendar for the club for. number of years, highlighted by the annual City v Mozzies match.The day was to commence at 12pm, but due to the heat the start of the day has been pushed back until 2pm and includes a fundraising BBQ for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.Several matches will be played with the Colts playing an inter club 10's match, the Lismore Women's side taking on the Lismore Golden Oldies and the main fixture of the Men's side taking on the Mozzies.The Mozzies are a mixture of old boys and ex-players from across a number of years who get together annually to take on the Men's side in the first fixture of the year.It also gives coaches Ron Cox and Cody Johnston a good look at the talent they have for the 2023 season.It is a good opportunity for players coming out of the Colts team to press for First Grade selection in Round 1 as well as those who were pressing for election in 2022 to showcase their offseason fitness.The first round of Far North Coast Rugby will kick off in the traditional timeframe after Easter.

Football Far North Coast clubs continue to progress in the nationwide Australia Cup football competition.Round 5 saw Alstonville FC take on Woolgoolga at Crawford Park and the result was a positive one for Villa, taking a narrow 2-1 victory.New recruit Murray Towner, who has moved east from South Lismore this season opened the scoring in the 6th minute, giving the home side the lead.The Woolgoolga side evened the scoreline in the 23rd minute and it remained 1-1 at the break.Towner was then able to find the back of the net again in the 53rd minute to take the score to 2-1, with Villa holding the scoreline until the full time whistle.Bangalow FC continued there goal scoring feats when they hosted Coffs Tigers in Bangalow with a solid 4-0 win.Both Far North Coast sides have finished as the top 2 teams from the Football Far North Coast, Football Mid North Coast and the Northern Inland competitions.Alstonville and Bangalow have progressed into Round 6 that will know doubt see them take on strong Newcastle and Hunter region teams.

There are two crucial clashes in the Australia Cup this weekend for Football Far North Coast teams.Alstonville FC host Woolgoolga United FC at Crawford Park on Saturday with the match to kick off at 3pm.The Villa side have been in great form in recent weeks in the nationwide competition have been posting big shorelines on a consistent basis.A Round 4 victory over East Armidale 8-1 and a 7-0 win over Tamworth in Round 3 has shown that goalscoring is not a problem for Villa this season.They will hope to continue this streak against Woolgoolga.Finley Black, Eli Gambley and new recruit Murray Towner have all been in great form for Alstonville.In the other match for FFNC teams, Bangalow FC will host another Mid North Coast side when they play Coffs Coast Tigers at 4:00pm.Bangalow defeated Richmond Rovers in Round 4, 3-1 and will look to progress in the knockout competition as the teams in the northern NSW area are reduced.Matches for both teams in the Anzac Day Cup have been adjusted to allow for the teams successes in the Australia Cup competition.

Two Football Far North Coast teams have progressed to Round 5 of the Australia Cup.Alstonville FC and Bangalow FC move through to the next round after comfortable victories in Round 4 this weekend.Villa took on East Armidale at Crawford Park on Saturday and took a narrow 2-1 lead into halftime after two goals to Finley Black in the 4th and 23rd minutes.The halftime speech and oranges did the trick for the home side who came out and put the match beyond doubt with a 6 goal blitz.Goals to Brodie Parker, another to Black, two goals to Eli Gambley, one to Jowe Balfour and one to new recruit Murray Towner finished to 8-1 rout. The final four goals came in a dominant last 11 minutes of the match.Alstonville goalie Ben Hudson looks to clear the ball against East Armidale. Photo: Steve MackneyTowner has impressed the club after transferring from South Lismore this season.Alstonville have been dominant in their three wins to date and will be a huge force going into the FFNC season.In the other Australia Cup match, Richmond Rovers hosted Bangalow and it was the Bluedogs who ran out 3-1 victors.The lack of early round matches cost the hosts in a warm afternoon in East Lismore on Sunday.

Goonellabah Workers Sports have taken out the LJ Hooker League Minor Premiership after defeating Tintenbar East Ballina on Sunday.The win was highlighted by an outstanding individual performance by Jack Cooper, finishing with 149 not out, off just 94 balls.These figures alone are impressive, but it was the manner in which he scored the runs that kept the scorers busy.Cooper hit 10 sixes and 13 fours in a tally of 112 without needing to run. Cooper has six innings for Goonellabah this season, scoring three centuries in quick time, with scores of 113 and 108no to go along with the century in the final round.Goonellabah passed the Tintenbar total of 251 in the 59th over.Tom Standish contributed 27 and Kaleb Armstrong 20 in the 4 wicket win.Goonellabah claimed the Minor Premiership after losing just one match throughout the 2022/2023 LJ Hooker League season.GWS will now play Tweed Banora Colts at Oakes Oval on the 18-19 March as the League will take a weekend off to celebrate the Celebrity Cricket Match hosted by Adam Gilchrist that will be held at Oakes Oval next weekend.Goonellabah have been impressive all season with contributions from every player in the side at different times, showing that they are a well balanced outfit.The other Semi Final will see Cudgen host Pottsville at Reg Dalton Oval.

Goonellabah Workers Sports will have a solid run chase ahead on Day 2 of their clash with Tintenbar East Ballina.Tintenbar won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that proved to be a good one for the home side.A number of batsman got starts but the Goonellabah bowlers were able to prevent any batsman going on with their innings.Tintenbar posted 8/251 off the allotted 80 overs.Damien Santin was the best of the GWS bowling attack, taking 4/48 off 17 overs.Opener Josh Healy took 2/29 off 11 overs, Alec Watson 1/32 off 13 overs and Reece Gregor took the other wicket, with 1/68 off 20 overs.The Goonellabah bowling attack took consistent wickets on Saturday against Tintenbar East Ballina. (File Photo)Although Tintenbar posted a decent total, the Goonellabah batting lineup is more than capable of chasing down the total after several impressive performance recently.Since the mid season break, the GWS side has demonstrated that posting big totals is not beyond them, with scores of 7/312, 7/382, 239 and 259.A strong effort on Sunday will place the side well leading into next weekend's Semi Finals.The Goonellabah side is assured of a top four spot on the LJ Hooker League ladder, and Sunday's result will determine where they finish and who their Semi Final opponent will be next weekend.

Football Far North Coast (FFNC), in conjunction with Northern NSW Football, is holding an All-Female Referee Course at Crawford Park, Alstonville on Saturday 18 March (9am – 4pm).Participation in this Level 4 course would normally cost $120, but as a consequence of the Women in Football Scholarship Program and an investment by FFNC, 25 females (aged at least 13 years or older) have an opportunity to become qualified as a referee for zero cost to participants. Female player participation in the region is strong but there are very few female match officials. With the FIFA Women’s World Cup being held in Australia and New Zealand later this year, the interest in Women’s Football has never been greater and more referees are needed to continue to grow the female game locally. Former FIFA match official Tanya De Boer started her outstanding career on the Far North Coast many years ago, demonstrating that it is possible to pursue further pathways from regional Australia. FFNC General Manager Steve Mackney added "To all females involved in our game, this is your personal invitation to be part of positive change, you can officiate this season while also continuing to participate as a player/coach. We urge you to accept the challenge." The benefits of being a match official include; Widen your knowledge of the gameEarn money for officiatingBe a leader and learn more skillsReceive training plus your uniform and equipment provided at no costFull course details are available here: https://footballfarnorthcoast.com.au/all-female-referee-course/Register your interest to attend at: https://bit.ly/3Ewtakr  

Football Far North Coast will have a team through to Round 5 of the Australia Cup.The winner of the clash between Richmond Rovers FC and Bangalow FC at Bill Harris Field in East Lismore will progress through to Round 5 of the nationwide knockout competition.It will be an interesting clash with Rovers having their first hit out, progressing through to Round 4 without taking the field due to two forfeits.Rovers will field a number of changes in the off season and will be looking to see what they can produce in a preview to the 2023 season.The Bluedogs on the other hand have had two comprehensive wins in Round's 2 and 3.The match kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday.In the other match for FFNC teams, Alstonville FC host East Armidale at Crawford Park, Alstonville at 1:00pm on Saturday.Similar to Bangalow, Alstonville have had two big wins and will look to add to their goal scoring feats against the Armidale side.There is only one Men's Premier League Anzac Day Cup fixture this weekend with Mullumbimby Brunswick Valley FC hosting Goonellabah FC on Sunday at 4:30pm.

Goonellabah Workers Sports will push for top spot in the LJ Hooker League this weekend when they take on Tintenbar East Ballina in the final round.The side will travel to Kingsford Smith South Oval in Ballina to take on the third placed side in what should be a tight contest.Goonellabah (52pts) sit in second spot on the ladder, just 5 points behind leaders Cudgen (57), who have a bye in the final round.In a tight top four, Tintenbar (48) are just four points behind Goonellabah with Pottsville (47) just one point behind in fourth.Goonellabah will be at near full strength for the clash and will be led by captain Andrew Kemmis.Sam McLean has been in good form with both bat and ball, coming off a 5/35 and 1/2 last week and along with Reece Gregor, 7/29, destroyed the Murwillumbah batting lineup for an outright victory.Kale Hare and Brady Toniello have both been strong with the bat in the past few weeks, both with 40's in the last round.With showers around during the week and Saturday morning, GWS will be hoping that the suns shines on Ballina.The match will be played on Saturday and Sunday and, weather permitting, play will start at 1:00pm.

Football Far North Coast clubs continue to impress in the nationwide Australia Cup competition.Alstonville FC took on Tamworth in Round 3 in Tamworth on Saturday evening and came away with a convincing 7-0 victory. This comes off the back of an equally impressive 9-0 victory in the previous round.Villa have shown that goalscoring is not going to be an issue in the 2023 season with plenty of firepower up front.In an equally impressive performance, Bangalow FC defeated Armidale City Westside by the same 7-0 scoreline. This comes off the back of a 5-0 victory last round.This gives FFNC three sides into the fourth round of the Australia Cup after Richmond Rovers have progressed without playing a match with two forfeits to their credit.The fourth round fixtures and venues are yet to be announced but will more than likely see all three teams taking on the remaining North Coast and Northern Inland sides.In a busy period for football, several Anzac Day Cup matches were moved to accommodate the Australia Cup fixtures across the weekend.The Australia Cup is an FA Cup style competition that is played across Australia, with Premier League and A-League sides being added to the competition in the later rounds.

There were several impressive individual performances for Goonellabah Workers Sports in their outright win over Murwillumbah in the LJ Hooker League.Resuming at 4/43 Murwillumbah needed solid partnerships to make the match a contest and Goonellabah were able to prevent this from happening with several impressive bowling performances.Reece Gregor tore through the Murwillumbah lower order finishing with the amazing figures of 7/29 off 12 overs. Damien Santin took 2/8 off 2.1 overs and Sam McLean took 1/2 to have the visitors all out for 73 off 33.1 overs.GWS sent Murwillumbah back in, and it was Sam McLean took charge with the ball taking 5/35 off 14 overs, opener Santin backed up wickets in the first innings with 2/20 in the second.Gregor took 1/29 and Josh Healy finished with 1/3 off 2.4 overs.Goonellabah bowled Murwillumbah out for 107 in the second innings, recording and innings and 79 run victory.The outright win will ensure Goonellabah play semi final cricket again this season, with the final competition round being played on Saturday and Sunday next week.Goonellabah will travel to Kingsford Smith Oval to take on Tintenbar East Ballina.

The SCU Gold Rats Rugby Union Club have attracted a very impressive coaching lineup for their junior clinics throughout March.Scott Wisemantel and Sean Hedger will head the coaching lineup that will run clinics every Wednesday evening in March for junior male and female players aged 8-18 years. The clinics are open to all junior players across the region.Wisemantel recently resigned as Wallabies Assistant Coach to spend more time with family and it is to the Gold Rats benefit as he has made himself available to assist the club to get back on their feet and establish a junior club.Wisemantel is a Level 3 Coach who not only has the Australian side on his resume, but had a very successful stint with England alongside Eddie Jones, as well as coaching appointments with Samoa, Japan, Montpellier, the NSW Waratahs and the Australia U/19's.Hedger is no stranger to Maurie Ryan Oval and the Gold Rats, having played and coached at the club previously and is a well respected member of the Ex-Rats.Hedger is also a Level 3 Coach and recently won a Shute Shield title as head coach of Sydney University. He has also has coaching stints at Bond University, the Melbourne Rebels, the Australian U/19 side and the Kinetsu Liners in the Japanese competition.The SCU Rugby Club Junior Rugby clinics will be held on Wednesday 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th March at SCU's Maurie Ryan Oval in Lismore and is open to all male and female junior rugby union players 8-18 years of age.The clinics are free to attend and all attendees will receive a sausage sandwich and drink as well as quality coaching from experts of their trade.

Football has returned in a big way this week across the Far North Coast.In Round 3 of the nationwide Australia Cup, Bangalow travel to the tablelands to take on Armidale City Westside on Saturday and Alstonville take on Tamworth on Saturday night in Tamworth.Richmond Rovers have again been lucky in their draw, progressing through to the Fourth Round of the Australia Cup competition without playing a game.Rovers had a win via forfeit over Camden Haven Redbacks in Round 2, and have again had a win on forfeit over Port Macquarie United who defeated Maclean last week 2-0.Unfortunately the Port Macquarie side could not muster a team to travel to Lismore.The Anzac Day Cup was to kick off on Friday night with Rovers playing MBVFC and Alstonville hosting Bangalow, but both matches have been rescheduled to Friday 17 March due to the Australia Cup fixtures.On Sunday Goonellabah will host South Lismore at Weston Park kicking off at 4:30pm and Lennox Head will host Byron Bay in an all coastal affair, also at 4:30pmThe Alstonville and Richmond Rovers Callan McMillan Memorial Shield match was transferred from Crawford Park to East Lismore on Friday night.On Sunday, Lennox Head play Dunoon at Skennars Head at 2:30pm, Bangalow will host Maclean and Byron Bay and Ballina will clash at the Cavanbah Centre in Ewingsdale. Both games kick off at 4:30pm.

Goonellabah Workers Sports will be hoping for clearer conditions for day two of their clash with Murwillumbah at Oakes Oval.Rain has fallen across the region in the past few days and Goonellabah will want to ensure they play on Saturday to push for first innings points.After posting 259 themselves, GWS have Murwillumbah 4/43 in reply.The visitors still need 216 with 6 wickets in hand.If conditions suit the home side and they manage to take early wickets, they may choose to press ahead for an outright victory.Reece Gregor bowled well last week, capturing 2/10 off 5 overs, with Damien Santin taking 1/8 off his 2 overs and Sam McLean taking the other wicket who finished the day with 1/2 off 3 overs.A win for the Goonellabah side will keep them amongst the top sides leading into the Semi Finals, which are just two weeks away.

Football Far North Coast teams have posted big wins in the second round of the Australia Cup.The Australia Cup is a nationwide tournament, managed in a similar vein to the English FA Cup, where community clubs playoff to eventually take on Premier League, National League and A League teams for the right to hoist the Australia Cup. It was previously known as the FFA Cup.Alstonville FC took on Urunga FC at Crawford Park on Sunday afternoon and came away with a massive 9-0 victory.The win will see Villa take on Tamworth FC next weekend in Tamworth in the third round.Bangalow FC travelled to Coffs Harbour to take on Coffs United and came away with a 5-0 victory and will now progress through to play Armidale City Westside FC in Armidale next weekend.Unfortunately Maclean went down 2-0 to Port Macquarie United FC on Saturday.This progresses Port Macquarie through to the next round where they will travel to East Lismore to take on Richmond Rovers who won on forfeit over Camden Haven Redbacks FC.The day and time of fixtures will be released later in the week but all there matches will be great clashes for the Football Far North Coast sides who are using the competition to prepare for the FFNC Premier League season ahead.

Goonellabah Workers Sports have taken the upper hand on day one of their clash with Murwillumbah at Oakes Oval.The Goonellabah side won the toss and elected to bat on a good deck at Lismore's home of cricket.The innings did not get off to a great start , with GWS losing in form batsman Sam McLean for 2, but younger brother Rory (25) and Kaleb Armstrong (32) managed to steady the innings early on.There were a number of starts for batsmen throughout the innings, with the side eventually dismissed for 259 in the 61st over.Kale Hare (48), Brady Toniello (42), Nathan Bezrouchko (31) and Damien Santin (32no) all contributed to a solid total.Reece Gregor struck for the home side early, capturing 2/10 off 5 overs, with Murwillumbah 4/43 at the close of the first day's play.Damien Santin took 1/8 off his 2 overs and the other wicket was claimed by Sam McLean who finished the day with 1/2 off 3 overs.Murwillumbah trail by 216 runs with 6 wickets in hand and GWS will look to strike early on the second day of play next Saturday.

Round 2 of the Northern Conference of the nation wide Australia Cup football competition kicks off this weekend.Four Far North Coast Football teams nominated for the annual competition, with all teams contesting their first matches this weekend.On Saturday Maclean travel to Port Macquarie to take on Port Macquarie United FC at Dixie Park, in what will be a tough hit out for the Maclean side.Bangalow FC also travel south to take on Coffs City United FC. Coffs City took out the Coastal Premier League First Grade Men's Grand Final in 2022 and will be a tough match up for Bangalow who are building towards a big 2023 FFNC Season.Lismore's Richmond Rovers will progress through to the third round after their opponent, Camden Haven Redbacks FC forfeited in their match, also scheduled for Saturday.Rovers will take on the winner of the Maclean and Port Macquarie United match in the Third Round.This match will likely be played next weekend at a venue to be confirmed.In the only match set down for Sunday, Alstonville FC will play host to Urunga FC at 2:00pm at Crawford Park, Alstonville.