Goonellabah Workers Sports are in a prime position leading into Day 2 of their clash with the Casino Cavaliers in Casino.The Cavaliers won the toss and elected to bat, but it was Goonellabah who took the upper hand early.Reece Gregor and Josh Healy took the openers early and the GWS side continued to take wickets throughout the day, bowling Casino out for 120 in the 38th over.Gregor eventually taking 4/33 off 10.4 overs. Kaleb Armstrong was tight, taking 2/4 off 5 overs, Sam McLean had 2/9 off 4, Healy 1/17 and Alec Watson 1/38.Unfortunately for the visitors, Casino struck early taking Rory McLean (7), Armstrong (3) and Mark Denmeade (2) cheaply to have Goonellabah worried.Captain Andrew Kemmis added 20 to steady to ship but it was Sam McLean that held the firm, with 41 not out and Kale Hare 13 not out overnight.Goonellabah resume on Sunday at 4/93 needing just 27 runs for first innings points.If they reach the total, Goonellabah will push hard afterwards to look for maximum points to push the side up the ladder leading into semi finals.

Marist Brothers are in for a fight against Tweed Banora Colts at Oakes Oval on Sunday.After winning the toss and electing to bat, Tweed got off to a flying start with opener Sam Powell scoring at better than a run a ball as he took to the Brothers bowlers. Tom Parsons eventually taking his wicket, but not before he had amassed 72 off just 63 balls.A number of Colts batsman got starts but the Marist Brothers bowlers stuck to their task and managed to eventually bowl the visitors out for 241 in the 59th over, a good effort considering the start they had.This effort was without opening bowler and captain Brendan Mitchell who did not take the field.Parsons took 3/68 off a marathon 18.5 overs and was aided by Hamish Weekes who took 3/24 off 7 overs.Opener Owen Bensley finished with 2/56 off 11.In reply, Brothers are 2/35, with Kevin Warid unbeaten on 10 and Pat Martin on 13. Matt Cleaver (7) and Joe Allen (3) are the batsman that have fallen in the first 13 overs.Warid and Martin will need to stay at the crease for a lengthy stint, and the middle order to add to the achievable total if Brothers are to claim victory.Temperatures are expected to reach 38 degrees in Lismore on Sunday, which would be a tough day in the field for Colts if the Brothers batsman can stay for long partnerships at the crease.A win would put the home side above Tweed Banora on the ladder as the LJ Hooker League Semi Finals approach.

Several local Football Far North Coast Clubs are preparing for the 2023 Australia Cup competition.Alstonville, Richmond Rovers, Bangalow and Maclean have all entered the national competition and will contest Round 2 matches this week.The Northern Conference consists of 28 teams and 4 byes and all of the FFNC team will play teams from Football Mid North Coast.Alstonville FC will take on Urunga FC, Richmond Rovers clash with Camden Haven Redbacks FC, both at home, and Bangalow travel away to play Coffs City United and Maclean will travel down the highway to play Port Macquarie United.If victorious, Bangalow and Alstonville will take on Northern Inland clubs in Round 3, with the possibility that Maclean and Richmond Rovers could clash in the third round if they win through.A total of 76 clubs have entered from Northern NSW Football regions including the Hunter Valley, Northern Inland, North Coast and Newcastle Premier League teams.It will be a busy time for all four clubs with Anzac Day Cup commitments commencing at the end of the month.

The Anzac Day Cup and Callan McMillan Memorial Shield football draws have been released, with competitions to kick off on Friday 24 February.Eight teams will contest the Men's Premier League in two pools of fours teams.Pool A consist of Richmond Rovers, South Lismore, Goonellabah and Mullumbimby Brunswick valley FC.Pool B is Alstonville, Byron Bay, Bangalow and Lennox Head.Each team will play the three teams in their pool before the top sides in Pool A and B clash in the Anzac Day Cup Final.There are 12 teams contesting the Open A Men's Competition as well as another 12 teams in the Open B Competition, with both in three pools of four teams.The Open C will have four teams and the U/16 Mixed Competition received five team nominations.Eight teams will make up the Women's Callan McMillan Memorial Shield draw with Alstonville, Maclean, Bangalow and Richmond Rovers in Pool A and Pool B consisting of Lennox Head, Byron Bay, Ballina and Dunoon United.Five teams will play in the Pool B Women's draw.All competitions will commence on the weekend of the 24-26 February.

Goonellabah Workers Sports will welcome back Kale Hare and Jack Cooper to the side for their clash against the Casino Cavaliers in Casino across the weekend.The match which will be played over Saturday and Sunday this weekend which allows Cooper to complete his commitments in Brisbane before taking the field for Goonellabah.Cooper's big hitting as helped the GWS side to several victories this season.Hare returns to the top grade after hitting a century last week in LDCA First Grade.A handy allrounder, Hare has taken 11 wickets for the top side this season and will be utilised with both bat and ball this weekend.Reece Gregor (16), Josh Healy (15) and Sam McLean (12) have also been taking consistent wickets this year.Goonellabah will look to take the wicket of Casino Captain Tim Martin early, as he is currently the leading run scorer in the Hooker League Competition with 619 runs at an average of 103.17.With the bat Goonellabah will look to Cooper as well as Brady Toniello, McLean and Kaleb Armstrong who have all been in good form in recent weeks.The match commences at 1:00pm at QE2 in Casino.

Marist Brothers will host the Tweed Banora Colts in a must win two day match at Oakes Oval this weekend.Just one point separates the two teams on the LJ Hooker League table and a win would keep Brothers in touch with the top four teams.Brothers are yet to finalise their lineup with player availability over the Saturday/Sunday match still to be determined, with a preliminary squad of 14 players being named.The squad includes Pat Martin who would be returning from a hamstring injury if he plays and Harry Gillett who would add to the bowling lineup if required.Although going down to Goonellabah Workers Sports last week, a number of Marist Brothers batsman spent valuable time at the crease.The key for Brothers to put themselves into a winning position across the weekend is taking wickets, which has been an issue this season. If the side can take early wickets and put pressure on the Colts early, they will put themselves in a strong position for the points.Captain Brendan Mitchell, fellow opener Owen Bensley and spinner Tom Parsons will again hold the key.The match commences at 1pm at Oakes Oval.

Goonellabah Workers Sports have come agonisingly close to taking the points over Marist Brothers on Saturday.The margin of 153 runs appeared convincing, however Brothers took the game to the full 80 overs, finishing the day at 9/229.Chasing a total of 383, Brothers toughed it out all day with a number of batsman holding firm to deny full pints in a desperate finish.Kevin Warid top scored with 68 off 187 balls, Brad Cleaver opened with 33 and the lower order contributed with Hamish Weekes (28), Joe Parsons (20) and Tom Parsons (36 not out) all holding off the Goonellabah attack.The Goonellabah bowlers toiled hard all day with Alec Watson finishing with the days best figures of 3/29 off 14 overs. Sam McLean had 2/47, Damien Santin 2/52 and Josh Healy (1/18) and Brady Toniello (1/58) both took wickets in the draw.Brothers finished with 9/229.Next week Round 9 matches Goonellabah Workers Sports travel to Casino to take on the Cavaliers and Marist Brothers will host the Tweed Babora Colts at Oakes Oval.Round 9 matches will be played over Saturday and Sunday.

Marist Brothers batsman will be out to chase a big total on Day 2 of their clash with Goonellabah Workers Sports at Oakes Oval on Saturday.Goonellabah declared their innings closed at 7/382 off 80 overs last week, after Kaleb Armstrong (104) and Brady Toniello (102) both posted centuries and Sam McLean (65) and Mark Denmeade (62) both had half centuries.It was a long day in the field for Brothers and they will aim to keep GWS in the field for just as long this week.Brothers will again be missing in-form batsman Pat Martin who is out with a hamstring injury and Israr Mabood also did not take the field last week.Every batsman will need to contribute to the scoreboard if Brothers are to put any pressure on Goonellabah.Ashley Simes, Kevin Warid and the dual sets of brothers Matt and Brad Cleaver and Luke and Daniel Hamshaw will need to call upon all of their experience to chase the big total.Another young player who has the potential to spend quality time at the crease is keeper Joe Parsons, who has come up from First Grade for the LJ Hooker clash.Goonellabah have a long bowling lineup and it is often a lottery to who will pick up the wickets each week.With Kale Hare out for the match, GWS will look to regular wicket taker Reece Gregor, Sam McLean, and Josh Healy.The match will start at 1:00pm at Oakes Oval.

The Southern Cross University Gold Rats are back and have started training and preparations for their return to the Far North Coast Rugby Union competition. The Gold Rats have been on a three year exile due to COVID restrictions limiting the availability of students to bolster numbers for the club. The club is looking to field Men’s and Women’s senior teams, as well as several junior teams . Numbers have been strong at training and with an increase of students on campus and three high schools located within walking distance of the club’s beloved home ground at Maurie Ryan Oval, things are looking very positive for the club return. With University “O-Week” later in February and several big announcements on the horizon, excitement around the club is infectious. A large number of “X-Rats” have been involved in the reestablishment of the club, with several fathers joining their sons at the club for the first time. The Gold Rats also have the support of the University and several sponsors coming on board to assist the club with over 50 years of rugby history.The Gold Rats have been a successful club during its existence winning 16 premierships across all grades, including four in first grade.Prominent players to have worn the colours include former Wallaby centre Richard Tombs, former Wallaby second-rower Justin Harrison and former ACT Brumbies backrower and Australian Sevens captain Henry Vanderglas.A host of players have also been picked to represent NSW Country at open and age levels, while three players - Harrison, Dave Graham and Mark Sherwood - have been selected for Australian Universities. The club has a long list of players who have represented Far North Coast at open and age levels.More details to be announced but the club is currently training on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Maurie Ryan Oval at SCU from 5:30pm.

Football Far North Coast General Manager Steve Mackney has confirmed the nominations for the Tursa Employment and Training Anzac Day Cup or Callan McMillan Memorial Shield competitions.Mackney confirmed that 55 teams were nominated to compete in one of the Tursa Employment and Training Anzac Day Cup or Callan McMillan Memorial Shield competitions in 2023, when they reached the nomination deadline. Of these nominations, 53 teams will be included in one of the pre-season competitions, with the number of teams shown as follows; Men’s Premier League            8 teamsOpen A                                   12 teamsOpen B                                   12 teamsOpen C                                   4 teamsCallan McMillan A                   8 teamsCallan McMillan B                   5 teams16 ‘s (Mixed Gender)              4 teams Mackney was extremely happy with the result, "This is a very positive sign despite the hurdles of 2022 and football activity this year is set to rebound to levels that saw more than 7000 player participants across the Football Far North Coast region, back in 2019, when things were ‘normal’. Please spread the word that registrations are now open for season 2023 and we invite players, volunteers, coaches/team officials and match officials (note that we need many more referees) to go online to www.playfootball.com.au/registerMore information on clubs, teams, pools and the draw, will be posted by normal media channels by COB next Thursday, unless otherwise advised. Mackney also added "Thanks to everyone, especially the generous volunteers at each club, for efforts thus far, to see grassroots football ‘front and centre’, as part of family life and more broadly, within our community. Remember to reach out if I can assist at any time during 2023."

Young Lismore Futsal player Max Alcorn needs your help to support his dream of playing for Australia.Fourteen year old Max Alcorn has recently returned from a trip to the Solomon Islands with a number of local Futsal Players and has now gained selection in an Australian side that will tour Spain in June/July this year.Max was born in Lismore and grew up playing a number of different sports until he fell in love with soccer and Futsal."I have progressed through multiple stages of soccer, playing for Thistles, and the Liverpool Academy. I have just finished my second year at the Northern Rivers Football Academy as JPL Premiership winners and this year I have been selected to be part of the Gold Coast United Football Club training and playing in QLD several times a week.""At the age of 9 I played Futsal for the first time in my life and met my coach Vinnie. Vinnie has coached me for 4 years and his international coaching experience has given me a thirst for international competition. I toured with his representative sides, captaining the U14 team in the Solomon Islands before Christmas."Some of Max's other Futsal achievements include an Australian National Championship in 2022, a fourth place at the 2023 Gold Coast International and Northern State League Champions in 2019 and 2020.Last year Max took it upon himself to look for further opportunities in the sport he loves."I contacted Australian Futsal for further opportunities and was selected to represent South East Queensland in the National Schools Competition. I played U15’s (birth year eligible for U13’s) and we were Crowned Australian Champions. This year South East Queensland didn’t send a team to Nationals but I was picked up by Tasmania and had a fantastic experience representing their state earlier this month. Following this tournament I received a selection letter to play for their Australian team touring in Spain in June/July this year. The trip comes with a hefty price tag (over $6000) and I’m busy fundraising to hopefully get me into the green and gold for this amazing opportunity."If you can help Max reach his dream, the family has a GoFundMe page to assist.https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-get-max-to-spain-for-futsal-june-2023?utm_medium=email&utm_source=product&utm_campaign=p_email%2B4803-donation-alert-v5

Lismore Thistles Soccer Club has launched the Thistles Acceleration Program, in the process becoming the city’s only player development academy.With the former Liverpool Academy – now called Northern Rivers Football Academy – departing Lismore after the floods, it left Lismore without an academy: a position Lismore Thistles will now take on.To run the Thistles Acceleration Program (TAP), the club have secured the services of the region’s most successful and experienced youth coach: Northern NSW Coach of the Year, Chris Layland.As a coach, Layland has won the Football Australia U13 National Championships, coached at Brisbane Roar academy, run youth clinics for Sydney FC, guided Metro West to multiple podium finishes at the Football NSW State Titles, and won three consecutive Summer Youth League titles with Byron Bay FC.TAP is a selective program which will see players aged 9-12 trial to be selected in the elite squads.There will be a total of four TAP squads: an U12 Girls squad, an U12 Boys squad, and two mixed squads (for ages 9-11). These squads will receive specialist coaching from Layland with the view to develop these players into future Premier League and representative players.Working with these four squads won’t be the limit of Layland’s involvement either: as technical director, he will be mentoring all the club’s coaches and will be ensuring all youth teams are coached correctly and play well.In 2019, Layland set-up Byron Bay’s successful High Performance Program which saw the club win nine youth titles in two years while developing many players who would go on to play for the club’s Premier League team.Layland has also been instrumental in helping multiple Far North Coast players earn trials and contracts at professional and semi-professional clubs in Sydney such Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney Olympic.While the ultimate goal is to create a pathway for Lismore players to become future Premier League and potentially professional players, Layland says TAP is about more than simply looking to the future.“With no player academy in Lismore since the floods, Lismore Thistles saw the need for our city to have a local option when it comes to developing youth players: rather than having to travel to the coast multiple times per week.“Families no longer have to travel for hours every week just to play for an academy, they can get all the benefits of a youth development program right here in Lismore.”The launch of TAP also showcases the city’s ability to recover from the floods.“As Lismore rebuilds, it’s important to give our local players a pathway into future representative, Premier League, and professional players so that they can dream and aspire to be the best they can be.“Like much of our region, Lismore Thistles were devastated in the flood and the launch of TAP is a major milestone in both the rebuilding of the club and the rebuilding of Lismore as a city.”All junior and youth players are invited to register to play at Lismore Thistles by clicking here.

Goonellabah Workers Sports Kaleb Armstrong and Brady Toniello both posted centuries against Marist Brothers on Saturday at Oakes Oval.Goonellabah won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that looked to have plenty of runs in it, and the decision paid dividends.Rory McLean went in the second over before Sam McLean and Armstrong put together a partnership of over 100 runs before McLean was run out in the 35th over for 65.Mark Denmeade (62) then joined Armstrong to see him through to his century, eventually falling for 104, off just 143 balls.Goonellabah's Sam McLean looks to drive a ball from Marist Brothers spinner, Tom Parsons. Photo: Matt BarlowToniello then continued Marist Brothers woes, smashing the weary attack for a quick fire 102 off just 79 balls, with 9 fours and 1 six, eventually falling for 102 before Goonellabah declared at 7/382 off 80 overs.Marist Brothers bowlers toiled hard all day in hot conditions, with Daniel Hamshaw taking 3/66 to be the best of the bowlers.Owen Bensley took 2/66 and Craig Thorneycroft 1/73.A number of dropped catches cost Marist Brothers early in the innings, with Goonellabah's batsman going on to make them pay.Marist Brothers will need big partnerships next weekend to challenge to Goonellabah total.

Goonellabah Workers Sports and Marist Brothers will clash at Oakes Oval on Saturday in the LJ Hooker League Competition.The Goonellabah side will go into the match as favourites after a strong start to 2023 after the Christmas/New Year break, defeating ladder leaders, Tweed Banora Colts last week.Young opener Rory McLean returns to the side after a successful stint in Sydney and captain Alec Watson will have a near strength side at his disposal against Brothers.All rounder Kale Hare will miss the match, but the strength of the side over the past two seasons is the ability for numerous players to step up when needed with both bat and ball.Marist Brothers on the other hand have had a mixed 2023 with a strong win over the Ballina Bears but followed the win with a loss to Pottsville last week.Brothers will again be without Pat Martin and will look to Ashley Simes, Kevin Warid, Israr Mabood and the two sets of brothers, Cleaver and Hamshaw to put partnerships together.The match will commence at 1:00pm at Oakes Oval, with the second day of play set down for next Saturday.

There were mixed results for the two Lismore based teams in the LJ Hooker League in Round 7.Goonellabah Workers Sports managed to chase down the massive total of 312 that Tweed Banora Colts set on Saturday.Sunday's play saw Sam McLean (46) and Kaleb Armstrong (65) put together a strong partnership early in the day to give GWS a chance, but it was Jack Cooper who was the star of the day.Cooper, who is only available for Sunday games due to commitments in Queensland belted 113, with 13 fours and 6 sixes in a swashbuckling innings to put Goonellabah in the box seat.Andrew Kemmis added 41no, late in the day to guide his side to a three wicket victory.Unfortunately for Marist Brothers, they could not repeat the effort and went down to Pottsville at home.Defending 167, Pottsville cruised pass the total, declaring at 4/268 and looking for the remote chance of an outright victory.At the close of the day's play, Brothers were 3/84.The two sides clash at Oakes Oval in Round 8 this Saturday 28 January, with the second day of play being Saturday 4 February.

Marist Brothers will be desperate for wickets on the second day of their match against Pottsville in LJ Hooker League.Brothers played host to Pottsville at Oakes Oval and won the toss and elected to bat on what looked like a good batting pitch on Saturday.Ashley Simes (26) got his side off to a solid start but the home side could not put together lengthy partnerships throughout the day.Daniel Hanshaw (23) and Matt Cleaver (24) both got starts but were unable to capitalise, with Tyson Priestly, batting at number 9, top scoring with 40 not out, to give the Brethren a decent total for Pottsville to chase. Brothers were eventually bowled out in the 60th over for 167.Unfortunately for Marist Brothers, the bowlers were unable to crack the opening stand of Pottsville's, who had a quick fire opening stand of 0/89 off 19 overs.Jamie Tripp (28no) and Jamie Bennett (52no) are still at the crease for the visitors.Brothers will need quick wickets early on Sunday to put any pressure on Pottsville who will look to secure first innings points quickly before looking towards a second innings.

Sam McLean was the shining light for Goonellabah Workers Sports on Saturday in their clash with the ladder leading Tweed Banora Colts.McLean took 4/54 off 14 overs as the Colts posted a massive 7/311 declared in the 67th over.Kale Hare toiled hard all day bowling a marathon 23 overs to finish with 2/82 off 23 overs.Reece Gregor took the other wicket in the innings, with 1/37 off 8 overs.Tom Byrnes was the chief destroyer for Tweed with an unbeaten century and was 111no. when the hosts declared late in the day. Byrnes finished with 16 fours and 2 sixes in his innings off just 92 balls.It was tough going for Goonellabah early, with Sam Powell (58) also notching a half century, and Mitchell Boyd being dismissed for 49.Goonellabah's innings could not have started any worse, with Brad Walker being bowled without scoring, however McLean (25no) and Kaleb Armstrong (14no) steadied and will now look to put together a big partnership as GWS chase down the big total.There is plenty of batting depth in the GWS side and they will look to take advantage of good batting conditions on Day 2.Play will resume with Goonellabah 1/39, needing 272 more runs to take victory in the Saturday/Sunday clash.

Seth McClelland will make his LJ Hooker League debut for Goonellabah Workers Sports, when they take on Tweed Banora Colts this weekend.McClelland has a strong baseball background and will join the Goonellabah side as an allrounder from the GWS First Grade side who are sitting in equal first place on the LDCA Ladder.McClelland has put several strong batting performances together for the First Grade side and will look to add spark with both bat and ball.GWS, who sit in third place, travel to Dave Burns Field for the clash against the ladder leaders for their Round 7, two day Saturday/Sunday clash.The side comes off a bye in Round 6 and will play their first match of the year.Goonellabah will be without Rory McLean who is playing in the AW Green Shield Final Series in Sydney.Despite missing the young opener, GWS will be at full strength for the contest.The match will start at 1:00pm.

Marist Brothers will look for back to back wins when they host Pottsville at Oakes Oval this weekend.Brothers posted a strong win against the Ballina Bears at Fripp Oval in Round 6 and a win over Pottsville on Saturday and Sunday will have the side off to a perfect start in 2023.Exciting batsman Israr Mabood will return to the top order after playing limited matches this season. He takes the place of in form batsman Pat Martin, who is out for this match after scoring 98 against Ballina last Round. The Brothers top order will need to fire without the consistent Martin.Bowlers Brendan Mitchell and Tom Parsons both had four wicket hauls last week against the Bears and will look to add to their tally against the northernersPottsville sit in fourth place on the LJ Hooker League Two Day Ladder in what should be a fairly even contest.The match commences at 1:00pm.