Lismore Basketball Stadium Reopens Thanks to State and Federal Grants

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has celebrated the return of the Lismore Basketball Stadium, with players back on the court after extensive post-flood refurbishments. Following the devastating floods in 2022, the stadium has been rebuilt with over $580,000 from the Sport Infrastructure Recovery Fund, part of the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package (CLIRP) funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.

Saffin praised the efforts of the Lismore Basketball Association, which kept games going on a damaged floor until moving to the Goonellabah Sport and Recreation Centre for repairs. She acknowledged the work of Association President Aaron Simpson, Treasurer Kay Simpson, and Publicity Officer Cheryl Amor, who, alongside the Council and local tradespeople, helped bring the facility back to life.

The project was supported through:

• $1 million for the floor replacement from the NSW Government and Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief Assistance Program.
• Over $580,000 from the NSW Office of Sport for sub-floor works and a further $50,000 from Local Government Recovery Grants.

Cheryl Amor expressed gratitude to Council, Bennetts, and Janelle Saffin for their steadfast support. She said the use of local tradespeople had been a priority, and the rebuilt stadium is a significant milestone for the association as it looks to attract new players and rebuild its community.

The NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, highlighted the importance of repairing local sporting infrastructure to keep communities healthy and connected, especially after natural disasters. Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister echoed these sentiments, congratulating all parties involved in the successful project.

The rebuild involved:

• Demolition, asbestos removal, and subgrade earthworks.
• Installation of screw piles, the Waffle pod system, steel cages, and slab reinforcement.
• Laying, sanding, and sealing of a hardwood timber floor from Kyogle.
• Installation of a new grandstand and score bench, as well as repairs to the external driveway and footpath.

For those interested in taking up basketball, contact the Lismore Basketball Association at 0410 777 572 or via their Facebook page or Instagram.

The repair work was funded by Federal and State governments’ Natural Disaster Relief Assistance Program ($1 million), Local Government Recovery Grants ($50,000), and the State Government’s Office of Sport Grants ($236,853 and $344,510).

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Northern Storm and Urunga Raiders Crowned Grand Final Winners

Ian Rogers

Northern Storm triumphed in a thrilling Men’s Premier League Grand Final on Saturday, 7 September, with a 2-1 victory over last year’s champions, the Woolgoolga Wolves, at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium.

Despite the Wolves dominating the regular season and finishing 13 points clear at the top, the youthful energy of Northern Storm proved decisive in a gripping final match.

Woolgoolga struck first, with Nick Casey scoring a precise goal in the 11th minute, curling a low shot into the bottom right corner. However, Northern Storm responded quickly, as Jamie Kennedy delivered an exceptional individual effort to level the score at 1-1 in the 20th minute.

The match hung in the balance, but it was Ethan Andrews who became the hero, rising above the Wolves’ defence to head in the winning goal in the 75th minute. The drama escalated when Woolgoolga were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute, but Storm goalkeeper Mitch Weeden pulled off a stunning save to secure Northern Storm’s victory.

Key Highlights:

• Nick Casey: Scored for Woolgoolga in the 11th minute.
• Jamie Kennedy: Equalized for Northern Storm in the 20th minute.
• Ethan Andrews: Scored the match-winning goal in the 75th minute.
• Mitch Weeden: Saved a penalty in the 88th minute to seal the win.

In the Women’s Premier League, the Urunga Raiders claimed the title with an emphatic 5-1 victory over the Woolgoolga Wildcats.

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Lismore Gears Up for the Inaugural Lismore Cycling Festival

Lismore City Council is thrilled to announce that hundreds of cycling enthusiasts will gather in Lismore for the first-ever Lismore Cycling Festival on the weekend of 5 and 6 October. Organized in partnership with the Byron Bay Cycle Club, the festival will feature competitive racing, participation rides, and fun ‘come-and-try’ sessions for children and adults, making it ideal for both seasoned cyclists and newcomers.

Tony Duffy, Lismore City Council’s Manager of Active and Liveable Communities, highlighted the event as a showcase of Lismore’s capacity to host both short and long-distance cycling events.

On Saturday, the action kicks off with criterium racing around the Oakes Oval complex, offering fast-paced, bunch-style racing on a closed-street circuit. Sunday will shift to Fondo events, which allow participants to ride at their own pace through the picturesque Nimbin, Woodlawn, and Numulgi valleys, with routes designed for different fitness levels and abilities.

Key Events:

• Saturday (10am start): Cyclocross and Junior’s Crit-Cross events at the Lismore Regional Sports Hub, followed by criterium racing at 2pm around Oakes Oval.
• Sunday: Fondo participation rides with three distance options:
  • Gran Fondo (110km)
  • Medio Fondo (70km)
  • Piccolo Fondo (28km)

Cyclists can expect well-marked routes and officials patrolling the course to ensure safety. Some CBD roads will be closed for short-distance races, while most roads for long-distance races will remain open to traffic.

Safety is a priority, with marshals monitoring the course and ensuring that all bikes are road-legal. Helmets are mandatory for all riders.

The festival is expected to inject $45,000 into the local economy, benefiting local businesses, with proceeds supporting the Lismore Rescue Helicopter Service.

For more details and registration, visit the official festival page.

This event continues Lismore’s successful streak as a regional sporting hub, following major events such as the Australian Women’s Baseball Showcase and Masters Hockey.

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