Uniting Communities Through Sports at Lismore Regional Sports Hub
The three-day Lismore Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout Carnival marked a significant milestone for the newly opened Lismore Regional Sports Hub. As the first major event held at the upgraded Oakes Oval and Crozier Field, the Knockout Carnival welcomed teams from across New South Wales, highlighting the Hub’s importance as a gathering place for First Nations communities.
Events like the Knockout Carnival bring distant communities together, offering an opportunity to reconnect, celebrate their heritage, and share stories. Teams representing the 13 clan groups of the Bundjalung nation travelled from Far West New South Wales, Moree, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, and the Tweed—uniting families, friends, and community groups on the traditional lands of the Bundjalung people.
Chris Binge, Lismore Knockout Coordinator
It’s not just a footy game, it’s not just about rugby league, it’s about culture. I think it’s all about cultural immersion.
The gathering’s significance extends well beyond sports. According to oral traditions, the Aboriginal peoples of the Bundjalung Nation were among the first of the surrounding groups whose Dreamtime stories tell of their arrival in Australia over 12,000 years ago, having been settled by ‘The Three Brothers’ and their descendants.
For players like Gold Coast NRL veteran Brian Kelly, the Knockout Carnival is a way to reconnect with his Bundjalung roots. “It’s a chance to come back to where it all started, and to share that pride with my community,” Kelly said.
The Lismore Regional Sports Hub redevelopment was designed to support a diverse range of sporting events, ensuring the inclusivity of all users. The careful upgrade to existing facilities provides equitable access to dual-gender and accessible amenities, inviting everyone to enjoy the space. This flexibility enables the Hub to host local and national fixtures for AFL, Cricket, Rugby League, and Rugby Union, as well as non-sporting events such as concerts.
New amenities include dedicated spaces for media, coaches, players, and referees, as well as enhanced spectator seating, catering facilities, and function rooms. Upgraded field lighting allows for evening events, paving the way for preseason trial matches and other night-time gatherings.
Ashley Beckett, COX Associate / National BIM Coordinator
The enduring spirit of community is reinforced with intentional design articulation and connections to enable high performance athlete development from junior to senior across multiple sporting codes.
“I think we’ve now got the best facility in New South Wales country by far. There’s no more pristine venue than what we’ve got here in Lismore,” says Binge in a recent video by the Lismore City Council, highlighting the precinct’s ability to deliver world-class experiences.
Lismore Regional Sports Hub stands as a testament to the resilience and strength of the local community who face regular challenges with regional flooding. By hosting events like the Knockout Carnival, the Hub provides a space for cultural connection, unity, and pride—a place where future generations will continue to gather, celebrate, and grow.