Lismore will host some of the best female Baseball players in the world next week alongside emerging Australian talent in double header events to be held at the recently upgraded Albert Park Baseball and Softball complex from May 9-12.
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The Australian Women's Baseball Showcase and Australian Little League Girls Division Championships will feature the Adelaide Giants, Brisbane Bandits and Victorian Aces in a four-day professional tournament thanks to support from the NSW Government.
Emeralds stars, emerging Australian talent, and World Cup players from Canada, Japan and the United States will all converge on Lismore to take part in the four-day tournament.
Mayor Steve Krieg said hosting the championships was a coup for the city and further proof that Lismore was recovering and looking to the future.
"I have attended numerous state and national championships at Albert Park, and the consistent feedback I receive from players and visitors is pure amazement at the calibre of our sporting facilities," he said.
"The investments we have made to deliver high standard sporting infrastructure not only advantages our local clubs and the community but also attracts national and international events and competitions with incredible economic benefit for local businesses.
"I welcome all players, support staff, families and visitors to Lismore, recently ranked in the top 11 coolest places to visit in the world.
"I encourage you to discover the great things our community has to offer, from wonderful restaurants to bespoke boutiques, pop up gallery and art trails and trendy pubs."
Council estimates that the four-day event will generate, $435,172 for the Lismore economy, supporting local jobs and livelihoods.
The Women's Showcase will run alongside the Australian Little League Girls Division Championships with little league games (under-13s) played in the morning, followed by world-class baseball in the evening.
State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said hosting the Showcase represents yet another major sporting coup for the city and would be embraced by sports-loving residents across the region.
"Albert Park Baseball Complex Lismore has always been a great nursery for producing top baseballers and houses the best grounds that allow for competition at national and international level," she said.
"I'm sure the girls' little league games will be just as fiercely contested as the elite tournament, so the national championships auger well for the future of baseball is rural and regional Australia."
All games will be broadcast around the world via Baseball+.
The event was made possible by an investment from the NSW Government.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the Australian Women's Baseball Showcase will bring great benefits to the Northern Rivers.
"Professional sporting events in regional NSW bring people and fans of all ages together to stay active, connect with friends and fan some fun," she said.
"The NSW Government is committed to supporting events that encourage female participation in sport like the Women's Baseball Showcase."
Baseball Australia CEO Glenn Williams said the event continues to push the calibre of women's baseball forward.
"As we celebrate the third Australian Women's Showcase, the thrill of witnessing some of the world's best female players competing against Australia's finest will be another great spectacle," he said.
"It's an exciting event which we hope will inspire baseball players around Australia and across the globe.
'We are thankful to the New South Wales Government for their support of this event - it will be great to see the Aces, Bandits and Giants battle it out in front our baseball future."
