Sports News
 Bowled Over
Say Thank You to Coaches and Umpires
There will be a chance for clubs to show their appreciation for umpires and coaches who give their time so generously on Sunday, August 26.
The Northern Rivers District Bowls Association is holding a special day at East Lismore BC, commencing at 12.30pm, the format being two rounds of open two bowl triples. Club executives might like to ensure that their umpires and coaches are invited to join a team on this day so that they can all be present. There are heaps of prizes to be distributed, all donated by NRDBA clubs and the fee of $12 per team (men, women or mixed) includes afternoon tea. Entries are open until 11am, August 26. Contact coordinator, George Newell on 6622 6587 or the club on 6621 5098 to enter.
Nominated mixed pairs will be held at Workers Heights this Sunday, August 12, commencing at 1pm with names to be in by 12.30pm. This event is proving to be very popular and is open to men, women and mixed teams. It will then revert to the normal first Sunday in the month.
Members of Heartbeats BC are reminded that the next outing will be on Monday, August 13, at Pottsville BC. This group meets every two months for a friendly game of bowls, fellowship and lunch and welcomes people who have had open-heart surgery as new members. Partners are invited to attend as bowlers or non-bowlers. Names in by Saturday August 11, to Brian on 6621 5024 or Ray on 6622 1792.
Lismore Workers Bowling Group will be holding a mixed pairs event on Sunday, August 19 at Workers Heights BC. For details and to register, phone Secretary Ken Willis on 6628 4110.
Coaching Tip
Speed of the green: Bowlers sometimes have difficulty determining the pace or speed of the green.
Pace is influenced by the type of grass, dampness/dryness of grass, whether it is cut short or long and the softness/hardness of the ground.
Depending on the conditions, the time taken for the bowl to reach the jack will vary. On a fast green (ie dry, smooth grass) the path taken by the bowl will be a wider arc and the bowl takes a longer time (15-20 seconds) to cover the distance from mat to jack. If the green is slow, (ie longer and damper grass) the arc will be narrower and the bowl takes a shorter time (8-12 seconds) to reach the jack.
Speed of green is determined by the time it takes the bowl to reach 27m from delivery at the mat.
On heavy or slow greens, more force is applied, the aiming line is narrower and the bowl reaches its resting point more quickly. On fast greens, less force is needed, the aiming line is wider and the bowl takes more time to stop. An old saying is ‘low and slow for fast greens, to and through for slow greens.'
Umpire's Corner
Law 26 DEAD BOWL (ii) Directors, or the opponents in singles, shall agree on the question as to whether or not a bowl is dead.
Any member of either team may request a decision from the director but no member shall remove any bowl prior to agreement by the directors.
Once their attention has been drawn to the matter, the directors by agreement must make a decision. If they cannot reach agreement the umpire must make an immediate decision.
(iii) A bowl is not rendered dead by a player carrying it whilst inspecting the head.
Until next week,
good bowling.
 Hook and Slices
with Stan Bendall
Lismore
A single stroke event will be played this Saturday as the second and final round of the president's trophy.
The Motor Trades Day will be held on Thursday, August 16.
The annual 2LM Christmas Appeal Charity golf day is on Sunday, August 26.
The popular Holden Scramble, sponsored by John Chant, Charity Day for the North Coast Children's Home will be played on Sunday, September 9. Sheet on board.
There will be a bus trip to Grafton on Sunday, August 19 – everyone welcome, sheet near TV.
Robin Dadswell took out the overall trophy in the single stableford last Thursday from Ken Pollack and Ian Savins. It must have been solicitors' day as Steve Pinchin took out the first nine from Nathan Condon and Tim Jenkins won the second nine from Keith Doherty. Steve Fredericks won the gross with a fine 2 under par and will represent the Northern Rivers at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads this Sunday.
Some very good scores were recorded off the back tees in the August medal last Saturday. Phil Stephens won A grade by 2 shots from Steve Hanlon and Bruce Willoughby. Steve Morrissey won the gross with a fine 1 under par 69. Wayne McInness won B grade by 2 from Dack Harris and Jack Coster. Shy Col Pratt won the gross. Rob McCrae won C grade from Phil Lobban and Geoff Haycraft; Max Murray won the gross.
The coveted Bradman's trophy was won in fine style by Terry McDermott with 85, only beating myself and Gary Barnett by 4.
NRDGA
There will be an interdistrict match for seniors (over 50), juniors, colts and open on Sunday, August 12 at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads between Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and South East Queensland. Good luck fellas!
The Foxsports men's district final will be held at Coraki on Sunday, August 19.
There will be a welcome day for the commencement of the Northern Rivers Golf Classic at Ballina on Sunday, August 26.
From Monday, August 27 until Friday, September 7 there will be 13 days of golf at 13 different golf courses in the Northern Rivers area with the final farewell at Yamba.
The NSW championships are being held at Newcastle Golf Club from October 2-4. Entry is $50.
Ballina
The members will play a teams stableford event this Saturday (best three out of four scores to count) while the ladies will play a single stableford.
The club mixed foursomes will be played over 27 holes this Sunday while the RSL hosts an ambrose fours and breakfast.
David Blanch won the overall trophy last Wednesday in the single stableford. Ken Leggo won A grade from Greg Gill. Hard working volunteer and life member, Ron Drew won B grade from Ian Redford; Greg Pollard took out C grade from Cornell Vendermoor.
Max Biggs was the winner last Friday from big hitting NSW vets champ Peter Sobels and Murf!
Greg Kirk recorded a fine 66 to win the overall trophy in the August medal last Friday. Dylan McPhie won A grade again, from my old mate Bennie, Phil Benton (Mr Whippy). Peter Salgram won B grade from Jack Stacey and Ron Johnson took out C grade from Dennis Finn. Greenkeeper Shawn Bishop won the A grade gross; club preso Don Stephen took out the B grade gross and Barry Lloyd C grade. Michael Wilson won the A grade cadets, Brendan Cameron B grade and Gus McFarlane C grade. Well done fellas!
Casino
Visitors are invited to the ‘Big Mac four ball' this Saturday which will be sponsored by McDonalds Casino and offers gross and nett trophies.
There will be a single stableford played on Saturday week.
Tim Booth took out the single stroke last Thursday on a countback from club champ Mick Greber.
Consistent Mark Patterson won A grade from Dennis Westerman in the August medal last Saturday. Bert Russell beat Greg Northfield in the B grade and won the medal for his efforts. Jim Small won C grade from William Sweeney.
Coraki
This Friday should be a great night with Night golf being held for the first time this year. I have enough trouble playing in the daytime!
A single stableford will be played in three grades this Saturday.
The popular Mid Richmond Plumbers golf day is on this Sunday supported by Eagles Plumbing. Nominate now if you wish to play.
Club vice preso Pat Neven won A grade in the August Mug with a fine par round, also taking out the monthly mug (which he'll enjoy!). Peter Speeding took out B grade (onya Pete) and Ted Browning won C grade.
Woodburn-Evans Head
A single versus par event will be played this Saturday.
There will be a four ball stableford played on Saturday week.
The RSL Social Golf Club's Legacy charity golf day will be a four person ambrose on Sunday, August 19. Cost is $15 and includes lunch.
The ladies played a four ball stableford as the qualifying round for the Rivertown Times four ball knock out. May Doman and Marie Kerr were the overall winners.
Ron Forster won the vets' 18 hole stroke event last Thursday.
Rob Lassig took out the overall trophy in the August Mug last Saturday; Russell Eather won A grade; Merv Cornelious won B grade and Betty O'Grady took out the ladies section.
 What's My Line
with Ian Clark
Getting Into Deep Water
The weekend did not produce the good results expected.
The weather might of played a part in what was a pretty ordinary weekend. But the fish were not biting much at all. As always, Monday's weather was near perfect.
There is always someone marketing something new either in fishing or the boating environment. One such invention is the Anchor Buddy.
The Anchor Buddy is designed to actually keep the boat in deep water.
It is made from 10mm rope with a rubber insert that allows it to stretch from four metres to 15 metres.
What you do is anchor the boat in deep water. Then motor to the shore.
Secure a bow line on the shore and then adjust the bow line to where you wish to have the boat anchored.
The Anchor Buddy pulls the boat back out to the deep water as the rope contracts. When you want to climb back aboard simply pull on the bow line to retrieve your boat.
This is most suitable at times of a run out tide, when pumping yabbies.
It enables you to concentrate on the yabby pumping and save a bit of heave-hoeing a stranded boat back into the water.
Talking of stranded boats on sandbars, a mate said to me the best way to get your boat off a sandbar is to rock the boat from side to side while the motor is engaged in reverse.
To just whack it in reverse and give it full revs only compounds the problem. What happens is that the reverse force of the prop at high revs throws more sand up under the hull.
The other way is to get your mate to jump out and push.
This weekend the best spot will be Patches to Broadwater with some chook gut for some nice size bream.
Boaties are catching some bream and flathead in the Richmond on the drift along the back of Woolworths or further upstream to the RSL.
The worms have been a popular purchase for some keen anglers chasing jew off the Ballina walls. They are catching them but they are pretty tight lipped about it.
There were some good formations along Lennox and Sharps beach earlier in the week. They would be worth a throw if still there.
Evans I would give a miss. At this stage it is very quiet with the odd bream off the walls or beach.
Until next week fun fishing.
From Country To City To Surf
 Ballina High student, Adam Gordon, who has won selection in a special program by the Department of Sport and Recreation to compete in the City to Surf in Sydney this Sunday.
Adam Gordon, a year 11 student at Ballina high will fly to Sydney this weekend to compete in the famous City to Surf road race which is staged from the heart of the CBD to Bondi Beach.
Adam is one of four Aboriginal country students who have been selected for sponsorship by the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation to compete in the 14km race.
Adam has been fairly casual in his approach to the race.
'I've been running around Ballina for training and I'm looking forward to going to Sydney but I'm not nervous at all,' he said.
Adam also plays both rugby union and rugby league for Ballina and competes in cross country races as well.
NSW state minister for Sport and Recreation, John Watkins explained that Adam's athletic ability had enabled him to be selected for the sponsorship program.
'Adam has already established an impressive athletic reputation at Ballina High School. He will line up with some of the best runners in Australia and the world, near the front of the race with 55,000 other competitors behind him. It should be a great thrill,' he said.
The Last Round
And so we finally arrive at the last round of the Far North Coast rugby union competition. It has been a season of ups, downs and unexpected results and, though it might be nearly over, the 2001 season still has one final round of crucial games to shock us.
Last weekend's results have ensured a show-down this week at three venues.
Following Lismore's 19-6 win over Casino, Grafton's 17-10 victory against Byron Bay and the 31-10 win to SCU over the ‘Bar, we now have the final round to determine who out of Byron Bay, Grafton and SCU will secure the fifth spot in the Finals.
Also in contention this week is the coveted minor premiership to be contested at Quays Reserve when Ballina host Lismore.
The other big games will be at Maurie Ryan Oval when SCU meet the Bay, along with the game at Casino where the home team tackles Wollongbar.
Unfortunately for the Moonshiners, the other game between Mullum and Grafton is a certain win to the Redmen.
With this win beyond doubt, the games between SCU-Byron and Casino-'Bar become vital.
Wollongbar cannot make the finals this year but could play a hand in their final game if they manage to beat Casino which would alter the eventual positions on the table.
However I cannot see this occurring as Casino are very strong and will be smarting from their loss to the Greens last week.
Casino by 15.
An even bigger match is predicted at SCU when the students meet the ‘Bay.
This game has an even more direct outcome – put simply, if the Gold Rats beat Byron with a bonus point for scoring four or more tries, and Byron come away with no points then Uni will make the finals, if they don't, they won't.
Byron will be equally determined to win as it would leave them in either the third or fourth on the ladder, giving them a better shot than if they finished fifth.
It will be a very interesting match as both teams are an unpredictable quantity at present – both capable of outstanding rugby but equally capable of lacking concentration.
It will be a matter of hunger on Saturday, with whoever combines focus with the predictable fire and aggression, likely to be the victor.
Byron have classy backline moves but often lack the forward skills to utilise this advantage.
This puts more focus on their broken play, which ends up being negated against a well organised opposition.
SCU are very similar in that their speed makes them deadly from broken play, however this speed is also mixed with some very experienced and wise rugby minds in their forward pack.
The likes of Steve Spinks, Scott Edwards, Sandy Maxwell and Matt Want have a wealth of high level experience and this could be the difference on Saturday.
SCU by 3.
Lastly is the battle of the minor premiership to be waged at Ballina.
Also on offer is the prestigious Club Championship which is given to the club with the most cumulative points from all grades at the end of the club season.
At present, Lismore leads by a large margin, with Under 19s already certain minor premiers and all other grades in the top two, yet some big wins to Ballina in a couple of grades this week would make things interesting.
The two sides will be knowingly testing each other out for when they meet later in the finals, and a heated encounter is a certainty.
Ballina have their large backs running well at present with their pack delivering high quality possession.
Lismore will need to focus on upsetting the flow of Ballina's forwards and concentrate on keeping them under pressure in their own half.
In this situation Lismore can then work their phase play after turning over Ballina's ball in their own territory from the work of the talented Lismore backrow.
Again it will be a matter of who wants the win the most.
I know I always pick 'em, but Lismore by 5.
Here come the finals!
Best and Fairest
With the final round of the rugby season this week, the FNC Rugby Union Best and Fairest Award becomes critical as any of the front runners can take the prize.
As of last week we had six guys who had a chance of winning.
These were Byron Bay's Luke Sullivan on 18 points who leads from SCU lock, Sandy Maxwell, Josh Piercy of Ballina and Lismore's tank of a centre, Mitch Mowle all of whom are on 15 points.
Picking a likely winner from this lot is an impossibility as all are talents and all have crunch games this week. We shall see what we shall see.
Ed Rummery
All Down to the Final Round
The results of the final round this weekend will determine which teams make the semi finals for Group One Rugby League.
Marist Brothers, Ballina and Workers are guaranteed a semi final spot but the final two teams will be decided between Grafton, South Grafton and Casino.
Casino will meet the Byron Bay Red Devils at Casino at 3pm this Sunday. Casino need a win to give them a chance of continuing their season beyond this weekend but after the Bay's 66-0 demolition by Grafton last weekend it's difficult to imagine the Cougars losing.
A win to the Cougars doesn't guarantee them a spot in the semi finals as the result of the match between Grafton and South Grafton affects the table also, as do the for and against statistics for all three teams.
The pressure will be enormous for the Grafton local derby this weekend as both South Grafton and Grafton need the points to make their semi final position a certainty.
The game between the Rebels and the Ghosts will be one of the most fiery of the year, with so much at stake for both teams.
South Grafton had a good 48-0 win over the Kyogle Turkeys last week but will have a harder, tougher game versus their local rivals this weekend.
The Turkeys look like finishing the season without a win as they are up against Ballina at Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina this Sunday at 3pm.
Despite their shock 28-18 loss to Mullumbimby last weekend Ballina are still one of the main contenders for the Group One crown this year and the Turkeys are very unlikely to reverse their season's fortunes against the Seagulls.
Brothers final preliminary game is against the Mullumbimby Giants at 3pm at Oakes Oval on Sunday.
For most of the season this would have been considered a certain Brothers win but after the Giants performance against Ballina last weekend the result is anything but certain. Mullum took care of the Seagulls 28-18 in the Giants best game of the season meaning that Brothers will have to be on their guard.
Brothers went down 32-16 to Workers Tigers in the Lismore derby last weekend in a game that signalled the Tigers have pulled together at the right time of the season.
Workers have a bye this weekend but will definitely finish the preliminary round in third spot and appear to have worked out their early season defence problems. Workers have improved enormously in the later part of the season and after their well-deserved win over Brothers last weekend are looking like a serious grand final option.
Daleys and Breakaways
The Ones to Watch
Daleys and Breakaways have marked themselves out as the premier contenders for the Lismore District Netball Association title for the Premier division after they each recorded big wins over their premier division opponents last weekend.
Daleys had an impressive 57-15 victory over the normally strong Cecil.
Breakaways handed out a 42-19 lesson to Daleys Reps for their first week's premier division game, handing out a warning that they are looking towards the finals already.
In first division Southern Cross University Lab Rats seem to have their season back on track after they took care of Woodlawn Falcons 42-27. Andrea Evans had another strong game in defence for Lab Rats and Falcons just turned over the ball too often to consolidate any real sort of effective attack.
Rous 1 had a good win over Daleys White, finally victorious 42-32. The young, enthusiastic White made Rous work for every goal but in the end Karen Wilson in the centre court lead her team to a well deserved win.
The big news for division 2 last weekend was that SCU Terra Rats managed to not lose for the first time this year, after playing a 28 all draw against Workers Purple. Peta Ware, Rebecca Dickinson and Brooke Ingram were especially good for Terra Rats in what was hopefully the turning point of their season.
In the second division 2 game last weekend Rous 2 had an easy 45-25 win over Pink Panthers Comets. Rous 2 simply played better in all aspects of the game, with Pauline Ianna particularly impressive in defence.
In this weekend's premier division Breakaways and Daleys meet at 1pm and then Daleys Reps take on Cecil at 2.10pm.
In first division Lab Rats play Daleys White at 3.15pm and Rous 1 are up against Woodlawn Falcons.
In division 2 Pink Panthers Comets play Terra Rats at 1pm and Workers Purple take on Rous 2 at 4.20pm. All games on Saturday.
Underdogs Face Big Challenge at Home
There will be two very exciting games this week in the Summerland Australian Football League when Byron travel to the Tigers' lair at Ellem Oval Grafton, and Ballina wings it out to Demon country to tackle Nimbin at the Nimbin Showground.
Both visiting sides are looking dangerous this season but the home teams have also provided some big upsets in recent times when at their own grounds in front of a large supporter base.
Last week Ballina was too strong for an improving Grafton outfit when they scored 12.10.82 to halt the Tigers, 7.5.47, recent run of wins.
The Lismore Swans scored a morale boosting victory over a fighting Demons when they won 19.7.121 to 7.7.49 at Goonellabah. Matty Moore fired to boot 8 goals while Jarrod Logue's ruck work was very impressive.
Ballina look to have secured the number two spot on the ladder and are very confident as they approach the last few weeks. Peter Plummer has been consistent up front while Roly Wintle's ruck work has provided plenty of ball to playmakers Brian Walshe and Hayden Borley. A strong defense line is led well by full back Gerard Piper.
Nimbin has acquired several good players and are showing patches of solid teamwork. They were jumped early by a hungrier Lismore last week but showed superb form to come back strong in the third and win a quarter. Shane Hambly was outstanding in the forward line and scored four goals, while Nimbin's leading goalkicker Tony Grumly was sidelined through injury. Captain Keiran Kevans was strong again and is important to the Demons game plan as the season end approaches.
A big turn out of the Tigers supporters on Saturday at home could give the Tigers the lift they need for something special, when they tackle the unbeaten Byron Magpies. Steve Kremers has been a key ball-getter for a rejuvenated Grafton team that only several weeks ago had to forfeit to the leaders. Grafton are always strong at home and a surprise can always be on the cards.
The Magpies are marching on to the finals with another minor premiership awaiting, and Captain Jason Rawnsley leads the strong lineup of experienced and new players. A strong team bond has seen them play the more superior team games all season and their run-on flowing play converts to solid wins.
Lismore Swans have the bye, and will be playing golf at Teven on Saturday afternoon with a bonding bonfire that night, and golf at Lismore on Sunday. Lismore still have some players to return from injury and a bye before their next game at Ballina could be a blessing in disguise.
Nissan Gets Behind Some Winners
 Marist Brothers Under-12s Rams Rugby League team strutted their stuff last week in appreciation of their new sponsors, Paul and Wendy O'Neill of Lismore Nissan.
The boys have been on a winning streak lately, being undefeated in the first three rounds of the recent Summerland Group 1 Knockout Carnival before going down to the other Marist Under 12 team, the Eels, in the grand final.
Proud coach Duncan Purkiss praised the support of Lismore Nissan, and all other sponsors of Junior Rugby League.
'The sponsors are vital members of the support team that help develop the skills of junior players to their maximum potential,' he said.
Rams Could Be Left Starry-Eyed
Premiers Italo Stars will be looking to capitalise on Byron Bay's form slump, when the two jockey for second place in Soccer FNC's premier division at Oakes Oval this Saturday from 3pm.
Stars have compiled five good wins on the trot and hit top form in last week's sensational 6-1 mauling of Uni, while the Rams have suffered a massive fall from grace in recent weeks.
After 16 rounds with just one defeat the Bay held a four point lead on top of the ladder and had a golden opportunity to take out the club's first pointscore championship, but since then three losses on the trot have shattered the dream, leaving the Rams trailing new leader Maclean by five points and only three clear of an ambitious Stars.
The ability of experienced coach Graham Bird to restore confidence in his youthful side will be pivotal, as will the performance of inspirational striker Bruce Morhaus and midfield dynamo Todd Knaus.
But with elusive flanker Craig Wiblin returning from injury to bring a confident Stars to full strength, the Rams need to produce something special to halt their decline.
The Alvos Factor
Will Anthony Alvos be back?
The question on the lips of every Lismore Workers supporter could be answered on Saturday, when Workers face the ultimate test to keep their semi-final hopes alive, against new competition leader Maclean.
If Workers embark on the feared road trip to the Clarence without the brilliant midfielder they hold little hope of returning with the three points, but if last week's return in reserve division is any indication, Alvos could hold the key. The former Australian Joey lasted a full 90 minutes and capped a fine game with a brilliant solo goal.
After being instrumental in helping Workers to the season's first trophy, the Anzac Cup, a persistent ankle injury has kept the creative playmaker sidelined, blunting their attack.
But his return could be just the tonic the Redmen need to halt the Maclean juggernaut, which has now gone 11 games without defeat and is within striking range of the pointscore championship.
Bobcats coach Jamie Harris is confident enough to rest gun striker Daniel Fung and hardened midfielder Graham Beamer and is still without injured defender Beau Paine, giving the Redmen hope for an upset.
D-Day Desperates
Two sides both desperately searching for form will meet at Nielson Park on Saturday, when Richmond Rovers host Southern Cross Uni at 3pm.
Rovers lost their grip on third place with a timid scoreless draw against lowly Goonellabah last week, while Uni collapsed totally, suffering a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Italo Stars.
Their indifferent form makes for an unpredictable encounter, but both have plenty at stake, with Rovers trying to regain a top three berth and the students just one win short of breaking into the five.
Blues Balancing Act
Lismore Thistles semi final hopes will be in the balance, when the Blues head west to take on a full strength Casino outfit desperate to resurrect their own campaign at Colley Park, from 5pm on Saturday.
Thistles are clinging to fifth place, but after last weeks 3-0 loss to Maclean and a scoreless draw with Ballina the week before, the Blues are far from their best and must re-group for the critical clash with the Cobras.
Casino are six points behind, but surprised former leader Byron Bay with a 2-0 win last week and with finishers Wayne Mortimer and Nathan Scully both in good touch, a tense tussle awaits.
Ballina On The Boil
Ballina has the chance to emerge from the pack as a genuine semi final candidate, if the Seahorses can subdue South Lismore at Saunders Park on Saturday from 5pm.
Last week's spirited 2-1 win over Workers lifted Ballina to within two points of the top five, in an uncanny resemblance to last season's strong finish.
As was the case last year, Ballina has lost just one game since the midpoint of the season and is closing in on the top sides.
While the scintillating form of striker Troy Percival gives Ballina a great chance, the absence of his experienced partner Justin Stockham and doubts over several other regulars feeling the pinch from a long, gruelling season, will put the seasiders under pressure.
Souths will still be on a high after pulling out of the relegation zone with last week's hard-fought 3-2 win over Alstonville and with expert finisher Brett Towner showing ominous form with two goals, Ballina will need to be at their best to continue their surge toward the semi finals.
Relegating The Spectre
Goonellabah will be staring the spectre of relegation squarely in the eyes on Saturday, when the Hornets host fellow relegation candidate Alstonville at Weston Park from 3pm.
Goonellabah has never been dropped from the top ranks, but a loss to Villa would end their proud record.
Conversely, a win would open the door to salvation, giving the Hornets a chance of surviving if they can also win one of their remaining two games after this weekend.
Last week's scoreless draw with Rovers showed Goonellabah can hold and even threaten the higher ranked sides, while Villa's 3-2 loss to Souths was a bitter blow to their hopes of avoiding the chop, dropping them back into the relegation zone just when a win would have guaranteed their survival.
Senior Rep Side
The cream of the region's young talent have a golden opportunity to test their skills against some of the nation's best players on Tuesday, when Soccer FNC's senior rep side takes on Brisbane Strikers in the annual Southern Cross Credit Union Challenge at Oakes Oval.
Coach Tim Jerks has placed the emphasis firmly on youth, with the likes of Byron Bay's Todd Knaus and Nimbin Headers' Jordy Campbell leading the charge.
Also included in the squad are the premiers' three leading scorers, Ballina's Troy Percival, Uni's Scott Collins and Maclean's Daniel Fung.
After a month of training Jerks is pleased with the preparation by his squad.
'Team preparations are well advanced and the lads are excited at the prospect of taking on the new look Strikers,' Jerks said.
'We've got players with tremendous potential, along with proven performers who can finish up front and also some good young talent on the flanks such as Craig Murphy, Isaac McClymont, Brad Hicks and Jeremy Pollard' he added.
Workers ‘keeper Scott Collis will captain the side and his organisational brilliance will be crucial at the back, where the likes of Stars' Austen brothers and Uni's Jason Collins will be trying to shut down the Strikers attack.
The Strikers squad includes former Goonellabah legend Paul Foster, along with other big name players such as captain Stuart McLaren and Wade Baldwin.
SOCCER FNC: Scott Collis (captain), Brad Hicks (Workers), Jamie Austen, Rick Austen, Clint Willoughby, Jeremy Pollard (Stars), Jason Collins, Scott Collins (Uni), Isaac McClymont, Kevin Crofton, Daniel Fung (Maclean), Troy Percival (v-captain), (Ballina), Todd Knaus (Byron Bay), Mark Greentree (Rovers), Jordy Campbell (Nimbin Headers), Vaughan Nicholson (G'bah), Trent Battistuzzi, Craig Murphy (Casino).
The game starts at 7.30 with a youth match curtain raiser between Soccer FNC and Coffs Harbour at 5.30.
Tickets are available at the gate, adults $8, children 13-16 $5 and under 12s free.
On The Road Again
August promises to be a busy time for people with disabilities on the north coast with numerous activities being offered by the North Coast Sports Council for the Disabled.
Today, Thursday August 9, a wheelchair basketball roadshow is being held at Southern Cross University in Lismore from 5pm - 7pm.
Hosted by former Australian representatives Craig Cannane and Kevin Faulkner, the roadshow will be an opportunity for people to learn about and try this exciting sport.
Local coach Wayne Coppock is hoping to attract more players through the demonstration.
'We already have regular wheelchair basketball training for both children and adults happening on Thursdays and are hoping to recruit more members through the roadshow,' Coppock said.
On Saturday morning, August 11, from 9.30am until 11am, the second term of the successful sports skills program for children with disabilities commences in the sports hall at Southern Cross University Lismore.
Conducted by Human Movement students from the University, the sports skills program is a fun recreational program comprising various sporting activities for children with disabilities.
'The main aims of the program are to improve the gross motor skills, sports skills and confidence of the children. The emphasis is on allowing the children to have fun and social interaction in a supportive environment,' said coordinator Mitchell Boyd.
Finally, a weekend recreation camp for children with disabilities will be held at the Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre commencing August 31.
Regional Disability Sport coordinator Jak Carroll is pleased with the range of activities on offer at the camp.
'It promises to be a great weekend of activities with the children trying everything from sailing to archery,' Carroll said.
Over 20 volunteer carers, including many students undertaking the Human Movement degree at Southern Cross University, will be assisting at the camp.
Maclean's Tracy Want has added three more goals to her already impressive tally in The Echo women's hot shots competition.
Want is in the lead with a massive 19 goals to her name after netting a hat trick against Woodburn last weekend.
Want is closely followed by Martene Edwards of Rovers and Workers' top scorer, Rose Argent, who each scored two goals last weekend to take their totals to 16.
The season's eventual top scorer will receive a weekend for two at the luxurious Watermark hotel on the Gold Coast, courtesy of The Echo.
Women's Tally
19 – Tracy Want (Maclean)
16 – Martene Edwards (Rovers), Rose Argent (Workers)
8 – Jo Collis (Workers)
6 – Natalie Anderson (Maclean)
5 – Kim Wraight (Workers)
4 – Rose Palmer (Workers), Nicole Strong (Workers), Laila Duroux, Katie Field
Men
Troy Percival and Scott Collins remain locked together on top of The Echo's Hot Shots award scorers list, after both scored a solitary goal in last week's round.
With only three games remaining a nail-biting finish awaits, with last year's winner Daniel Fung also still in contention.
Despite trailing the leaders by six goals the Maclean sharp-shooter has a chance to dramatically boost his tally over the closing weeks, with the competition leaders playing two of the bottom three sides.
The season's eventual top scorer will receive a weekend for two at the luxurious Watermark hotel on the Gold Coast, courtesy of The Echo.
Men's Tally
20 – Troy Percival (Ballina), Scott Collins (Uni).
16 – Daniel Fung (Maclean).
14 – Grant Nielson (Maclean).
13 – Satis Sthapit (Byron Bay).
12 – Bruce Morhaus (Byron Bay).
10 – Kevin Crofton (Maclean)
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