lismore workers club masters games · lismore workers club masters games participant evaluation...

LISMORE WORKERS CLUB

MASTERS GAMES

PARTICIPANT EVALUATION SURVEY

OCTOBER 2013 SPORT BUSINESS RESOURCES

(with Destination Research and Development)

LISMORE MASTERS GAMES 2013 PARTICIPANT EVALUATION SURVEY 2

Overview… The 2013 Lismore Masters Games, the eighth in total, were held at various locations throughout the Lismore City Council local government area between September 20th and 22nd. In addition, the equestrian was held at Bangalow in the Byron Shire. In total, 12 events were conducted as follows:

• Baseball • Cricket • Dressage • Golf

• Hockey • Lawn Bowls • Netball • Oztag

• 8 Ball Pool • Soccer • Softball • Touch Football

A total of 1 650 people attended the event either as an athlete (1 518 or 92%); or as a social registrant (8%). Following the event a survey was posted online to ascertain general and specific information about the event. A total of 295 responses were received with (34.9% male, 65.1% female) with respondents comprised of athletes (98.3%) volunteers (0.3%) and the remainder social registrations (1.4%).


Age… The largest proportion of respondents (25.4%) was from the 41-‐45 category, followed by the 36-‐40 and 46-‐50 age groups (both 19.7%). There were a number of respondents under the age of 35 (11.5%), and very few respondents over the age of 66 (1.3%).

less than 35 11.5% 36-‐40 19.7% 41-‐45 25.4% 46-‐50 19.7% 51-‐55 14.6% 56-‐60 5.4% 61-‐65 2.4% 66-‐70 1.0% 71-‐75 0.3% more than 76 0.0%


Employment Status… Respondents were asked to indicate their employment status. In total 72.8% were employed on a full time basis with 19.1% part time, 4.2% were on home duties, 3.5% were retired, .4% were students, and none were unemployed. Those indicating ‘other’ were found to be self-‐employed business owners, a farmer and a foster carer.

employed full time 72.8% employed part time 19.1% unemployed 0.0% retired 3.5% home duties 4.2% student 0.4%


Annual Household Income… Respondents were asked to indicate their annual household income. Overall, 31.0% reported an annual household income in excess of $100,000. At the opposite end of the scale, 2.4% reported an annual household income less than $20 000.

less than 20 000 2.4%

20 000 to 39 999 8.0% 40 000 to 49 999 7.6% 50 000 to 59 999 11.2% 60 000 to 69 999 10.0% 70 000 to 79 999 8.4% 80 000 to 89 999 9.2% 90 000 to 99 999 12.4% 100 000 to 120 000 12.7% more than 120 000 18.3%


Previous Attendance… Respondents were asked if they had attended any previous Lismore Masters Games. As illustrated in the chart and table below, many people had previously attended more than a single event. It was also interesting to note that 36% had never attended a Lismore Masters Games. When this piece of information is added to the information regarding how many people hear about this event through word of mouth, it makes sense that participants are helping to ‘spread the word’ and keep the event numbers at current levels. Thus organisers, as with previous events, are doing a good job in attracting new participants and keeping existing athletes.

Lismore 1999 9.2% Lismore 2001 13.1% Lismore 2003 18.0% Lismore 2005 24.0% Lismore 2007 32.9% Lismore 2009 41.0% Lismore 2011 55.5% Never 36.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

Lismore 1999

Lismore 2001

Lismore 2003

Lismore 2005

Lismore 2007

Lismore 2009

Lismore 2011

Never


In addition, 32 respondents mentioned participation at various other Masters Games events. Locations included:

• Adelaide • Alice Springs • Brisbane • Cairns • Coffs Harbour • Geelong

• Logan • Pan Pacific Masters (Gold

Coast) • New Zealand • Sydney • Toowoomba


Publicity… When the respondents were asked how they heard about the 2013 Lismore Masters Games, a majority of the respondents (57.1%) replied that they heard from their club or team and a large number (48.1%) heard through word of mouth. However, a small group of people (18.4%) heard about the event through television, radio, Internet, and newspaper. However, a higher number (24.2%) had heard about the event through direct mail from the organisers. This would indicate that organisers are doing a good job in marketing the event through a variety of strategic means.

Word of mouth 48.1% Direct mail from organisers 24.2% My club/team 57.1% Television 4.2% Radio 3.1% Internet 5.2% Newspaper 5.9%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

Wor

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m

outh

Dire

ct m

ail

from

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gani

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My

club

/team

Tel

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ion

Rad

io

Inte

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New

spap

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Attendance With… Respondents were asked to indicate with whom they attended the Lismore Masters Games. In keeping with the overall event ethos, together with the emphasis on fun, few respondents (5.1%) attended alone with the majority (77.9%) attending with teammates. In addition 35.0% attended with friends and 20.7% with a partner.

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

Alone Partner Children Team mates Friends

Alone 5.1% Partner 20.7% Children 11.6% Team mates 77.9% Friends 35.0%


Accommodation… Respondents were also asked to indicate with what type of accommodation they stayed during the event. Almost half (48.9%) stayed in their own home whilst 34.4% utilised local hotels/ motels, 12% with friends and/or relatives, and 4.7% camping/caravan parks. Another 17 respondents stated that they hired houses or cabins in the area.

Own home Hotel/motel Friends/relaives Camping/caravan park

Own home 48.9% Hotel/motel 34.4% Friends/relatives 12.0% Camping/caravan park 4.7%


Accommodation Location… Respondents were asked to indicate where their accommodation was located for the duration of the Lismore Masters Games. The majority (87.2%) replied ‘Lismore’. This is not surprising considering the location of the event. Also, the rest of the respondents stayed in scattered regions, perhaps to be their homes due to the overwhelming percentage of respondents that stayed in their own homes for this event.

Lismore 87.2% Wollongbar/Alstonville 4.7% Ballina 5.4% Casino 1.6% Lennox Head 1.2% Byron Bay 0.0%

Lismore

Wollongbar/Alstonville

Ballina

Casino

Lennox Head


Nights Spent… Respondents who were not staying in their own home were asked to indicate how many nights they spent in their accommodation. The chart and table below illustrate that the majority of respondents (40.0%) spent three nights in the region, with 34.2% staying two nights, and 14.9% spent four or more nights.

One night 11.0% Two nights 34.2% Three nights 40.0% Four nights 11.0% Five nights 3.9% More than five nights 0.0%

One night

Two nights

Three nights

Four nights

Five nights

More than five nights


Lismore Workers Club… Respondents were asked to report how many times they attended the Lismore Workers Club. In total, 62.9% of respondents attended the Workers Club twice, the second largest group of respondents (23.8%) attended once for registration, and a small portion (8.5%) attended the Workers Club three or more times.

Never 4.8% Once (to register) 23.8% Twice 62.9% Three times 6.8% Four or more times 1.7%

Never

Once (to register)

Twice

Three imes

Four or more imes


Expenditure… Respondents were asked to indicate how much (approximately) they spent on the following categories at the Masters Games. The chart and table below illustrate the average spending (in dollars) in each category. The results indicate that most money was, not surprisingly spent on accommodation ($122.05 average) followed by registration fees at $108.16, then meals, food and drink ($106.82).

Games registration fee

21%

Games merchandise

4%

Meals, food and bev 20% Accomm

23%

Transport 11%

Entertainment 10%

Other spending 11%

Games registration fee 108.16 Games merchandise 23.90 Meals, food and drink 106.82 Accommodation 122.05 Transport 56.14 Entertainment 57.96 Other spending 57.63


Economic Contribution... Based on the table below, which depicts the region of origin for participants, 38% were categorised as ‘locals’ with 11% ‘day trippers’ and 51% as ‘overnight visitors’. As such 51% of participants stayed overnight or longer, whilst the remainder (49%) returned home nightly. The average number of nights stayed was 2.7. Region Total Region Total Lismore 38.2% (blank) 3.8% Other Qld 8.9% Tweed Heads 2.7% Brisbane 8.5% Byron bay 2.4% Ballina 8.2% Clarence Valley 2.4% Sydney 7.2% Central NSW 1.0% Gold Coast 5.8% Newcastle 1.0% Richmond Valley 5.1% Victoria 0.3% Mid north coast 4.4% Total 100% The direct impact of visitor spending is estimated to be $431,439. This was calculated (see below) on visitors to the event who are bringing “new money” into the Lismore LGA. For the purpose of this study, the average tourist expenditure was determined using registered participants (social and competitive), multiplied by their average expenditure for the event. Overnight visitors are calculated separately from day trippers (from outside Lismore) as they have different expenditure averages. Unique Visitors 1650 Overnight Tourist (842) 51% Per person spend for event $458.20 Total Overnight Visitor Expenditure $385 575 Day Trippers (182) 11% Visitor Spend for the Day $252 Total Day Visitor Expenditure $45 864 Total $431 439


Main Sport… Respondents were asked to indicate the main sport they played during the Lismore Masters Games.

Baseball 3.7% Cricket 6.1% Dressage 1.4% Hockey 5.8% Golf 3.7% Lawn Bowls 4.1% Netball 24.4% Oztag 3.4% Pool 0.3% Soccer 23.1% Softball 18.3% Swimming 0.0% Touch 5.8%


Main Sport Comments… Respondents were asked to indicate any comments they had regarding the main sport they played. The comments below are unedited and listed by sport. Baseball

• It was a great weekend • For the amount of people attending the price of beer was way too high.

Cricket

• Bowling 2 overs consecutively can be taxing on us old buggers • Bowling 2 overs consecutively seems silly when other rules are modified to

make it easier, this makes it harder • Well run & very friendly organising group • The toilets were not open at Blair oval on the Friday. A text message letting

participants know were the finals are being played would have been good. • Some ovals and pitches were poor, some teams still take it way too serious,

s/be graded • Had a great time • Amenities at some grounds not up to scratch • Lismore Council performance was disappointing. No toilets (even portaloos

would be good) or garbage bins at a number of cricket venues. How are wives and kids expected to attend events when there are no basic amenities. Grounds (outfields) for cricket were average and should have been mowed a number of times to remove the massive amount of grass clippings.

Golf

• My sport and organisers were great. • Can't wait till next time • Nothing special just like any other game of golf only much more expensive, the

meal after presentation very poor all in all a disappointment • prefer to play off same coloured tees each day caused confusion • Would have liked a game on the day before the competition but the course

was closed to social play because of comp play • Could have been a little more organised

Hockey

• Better organizing of teams that were short as we had people that wanted to come

• Need more teams • We need more teams -‐ will work on it. • It was fantastic fun as usual but would have liked a proper finals 1st plays 4th

2nd plays 3rd then a grand final more games but everyone would have liked


that • Lack of communication with team registration

• Yes I do, there was one team who would not pass the ball to the girls to score

a goal. I said this two years ago, I think when a girl score a goal it should be 2 point not 1 and some more of the teams might give too the girls more.

• Thought there would be more teams Lawn Bowls

• Start half an hour earlier and the 2 games per day be 14 ends not 15 as not enough time

• Have to start earlier or cut the number of ends • Under the circumstances of no show competitors, Bob Johnson did a good job

in rearranging the draw at short notice. • I was very disappointed that a team pulled out on the first day to play in

another sport and caused problems with the whole weekend.. • All good • Was played in great company • Need person to maintain scoreboard

Netball

• The canteen ran out of food all three days by lunch • The netball draw for Saturday games changed and several teams were not

made aware of that on Friday. I believe that could have been avoided and handled better.

• There is no function organised for the Saturday night, it could be combined with other sports

• Bit too much idle time on the last day • We were disappointed that there was an incredibly short turnaround between

the prelim and the final -‐ about 15 mins, while the team that went straight to the Final got nearly 2hours rest!

• To many changes in the draw, never had this problem before ??? • Better communication between organizes and players, toilets needed to be

cleaned more • Updating of the draw needed to be more consistently distributed. • The break in between games was to long. Plus there were to many changes to

the draw. • the quality of umpiring was quite poor apart from a handful of umpires • Draw changes should not occur during the event unless each team the change

affects is notified by phone • They did a great job. • There were several draws done for netball which caused a few issues when

some teams didn't realise the draw had changed yet again for Saturday's matches.

• There should be 2 pools rather than be divided for semis. Too many teams


throw games to get into pool B • A little unorganised, too many draw changes some without notice • Too serious the draw changed too many times • Draw was changed at last minute and not communicated to competitors • Poor communication with participants • Draw changed about 6 times????????? get organised and it changed again! • Umpires were too young to ref adults. • BAD COMMUNICATION AND CONSTANT CHANGING OF THE MATCH DRAW • The finals need to be structured so that all grand finals are NOT at the same

time. • The food at the workers was disgusting • Too many draws..... • There appeared to be a lack of overall organisation with the draw changing on

day one for day two. The days could have been shorter if all courts were used and the use of split draws. The umpiring standard was poor which can and does relate to some dangerous playing.

• Breaks between finals and grand finals not long enough if u had to play both • Having two divisions from the beginning. • Our sport was great with competitive and enjoyable competition. • Should have had medals for over 45's not split pool. Agree combining for

round robin so they could play more games but as an over 45's category was advertised medals should have been awarded.

• Too many young inexperienced umpires, not fair on the teams or the umpires Oztag

• Fantastic organising committee and venue , awesome function sat night • Very well run event. Friendly, competitive and fun. Well done. • We would be great if more women got involved

Pool

• Get rid of the cheap medals and pink tape!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Soccer

• No real scrutiny of player eligibility after initial registration. • I believe in regards to soccer it should be over 35 and over 45 comp. to gain

more competitors • Down in numbers possibly due to soccer finals on same weekend • Why are the Gold, Silver and Bronze teams not included in the results • There were no soccer photos anywhere in the media, fb, council website. Also

game times ran quite late, made it difficult to be ready to attend evening functions.

• Wasn't played in spirit of the game by other teams • Our team had an issue with balls being flat and out of shape • We had no lines man for any games. What were the fee's for?


• No linesmen and no match balls a bit pathetic for a comp • With 3 women’s teams in soccer it would have been nice to have broken it up

into 2 pools contending for gold, silver and bronze. How good is it to go home and say to family that my team made a medal play off. With 3 teams that only gave 4 teams that chance.

• Need linesman and game balls in football/soccer • I would have liked more games. To travel on the Friday for only one game was

a strain, considering that we took the day off work. I think that 6 games, 2 to 3 Fri and Sat and 1 to 2 on Sunday would have been better. Possibly make the games 25 min halves and have more games. There were about 13 teams registered and we only played 4.

• Needed linesmen • I found that the 30 min halves were too long. Maybe have 20 min halves and

an extra game? • Meal was delicious! • We travelled early to play 1 game on the Friday morning, it was the mentioned

many times by my team mates that it would be better to play 20 minute halves and play 3 or 4 games a day to give the opportunity to play more of the teams...

• Goonellabah Soccer Club did an awesome job of hosting the soccer • Maybe 9 aside on smaller fields • Tea supplied on Saturday night fantastic!!! • Soccer needs linesmen/women for each game! • The meal was great on Saturday night at Goonellabah soccer fields • The differing Referees from Friday to Sunday, Sunday being more professional. • Well organised by Gbah Soccer club • Women’s soccer has too many teams. It needs to be broken into two

groupings. Not sure if it should be by age or ability. Also the referees need to be more professional. I assume they are getting paid and should not comment to one team about the behaviour of another team. Also rules need to be better explained ie. no slide tackling and not just send a player off for 10 minutes when we didn't know you couldn't side tackle.

• There was too many teams for the two pitches another pitch would have been great, since we had so many women’s teams.

• its call football not soccer • A masseuse would have been nice! • Would be nice to play more than just 4 games, 5 or 6 would have been good. • Scheduling of finals games may be improved by having women & men bronze

play off at same time, allowing all teams to watch gold medal game. • Soccer Balls needed to be supplied and linesmen. • Was well organised and to time • Bring your own footballs?


Softball

• Portaloos for distant diamonds would be helpful • It would be much appreciated if the umpires were fully accredited and were

fully conversant with the current rules of softball. • If the diamonds were like the baseball diamond I would come back next year. • No was great, well organized • The welcome dinner was absolute crap. • Teams that win medals there should be enough for all players NOT JUST 10 per

team • Miscommunication cost the team $200 for an umpire that wasn't needed as

we supplied our own. Not to mention registration and accommodation the team covered for our umpire.

• Extremely poorly organised. Extremely disappointing that there were not enough medals to hand out to the teams who actually won. After all we did all register. You took our money.

• Umpiring was sometimes inconsistent and biased. • more portable toilets for softball diamonds that are a distance from clubhouse • It would of been nice to have porta loos around the fields. • Softball is always run well. Our team really enjoys going to the comp. • No, everything was great • Do not like the pooling system prefer straight out divisions • would like to have been able to purchase new equipment at the field • Considered there should have been more game time. A normal weekend

masters tournament in Sydney we get at least 8 games for 3 days play would've expected more and the price for rego was not good value for money

• Need better medals they have been exactly same for 6 yrs • Our team was registered over 40. I was the second youngest at 45. Due to

'throwing' of games on day 1 we spent Saturday and our first game Sunday getting mercied. My team Dragons were in a division with both amigos teams and marauders. Our pitcher is 60 plus. Not quite sure how this works. Most of our girls had 4bats in 4games. Not really what we signed up for? And unfortunately a couple have decided that will be it for their masters careers. Pity, cause considering our ages we are still quite competitive. Perhaps you could put a cap on the highest division over 40's have tp play when you pool teams?

• There is a lack of toilets at the grounds especially on the far grounds • The BBQ provided at softball each day was FANTASTIC. They should cater the

games function. Touch

• More teams in each division would be great • More teams • Would have liked to start Friday and finish Saturday. • Lack of teams • It was well planned and ran to schedule


• Needs more advertisement to get more teams interested • Friendly people • Need more teams and a ladies division • Not enough teams competing at touch • Need more competition


Aspects of Organisation… Respondents were asked to rate the following aspects of organisation: pre-‐games information; the registration process; and the welcome function. It is quite apparent that in terms of the categories above respondents were very happy with the first two. The welcome function, which is singled out in later analyses for comment (most of them bad) was rated as ‘poor’ by 34.9% of respondents.

Excellent Good Neutral Fair Poor Pre-‐Games information

36.0% 49.7% 7.2% 4.1% 3.1%

Registration process

46.2% 46.2% 3.1% 2.7% 1.7%

Welcome function 6.1% 17.6% 23.4% 18% 34.9%

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Pre-Games information Registration process Welcome function


Aspects of their Main Sport… Respondents were asked to the following aspects of their main sport. In all cases in excess of 75% of respondents indicated their experience to be either ‘excellent’ or ‘good’.

Excellent Good Neutral Fair Poor Venue 49.8% 45.4% 2.7% 2.0% 0.0% Equipment 41.7% 45.5% 10.0% 1.4% 1.4% Amenities 30.7% 45.7% 11.6% 7.8% 4.1% Officiating 35.5% 40.3% 11.4% 8.6% 4.1% Overall Organisation

36.8% 48.8% 4.8% 7.2% 2.4%

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Venue Equipment Amenities Officiating Overall Organisation


Overall Experience… Respondents were asked to rate their overall experience regarding the Lismore Masters Games. Respondent’s overall enjoyment was either ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ (91.5%).

Intention to Return…

Further to the previous chart, respondents were also asked to indicate whether they would attend again. Not surprisingly perhaps, an overwhelming majority of 93.0% indicated that they would return with only 7.0% saying not.

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

Excellent Good Neutral Fair Poor

Excellent 27.9% Good 63.6% Neutral 4.4% Fair 3.4% Poor 1.0%


The BEST thing about the Lismore Masters Games… Respondents were asked to indicate the most enjoyable aspects of the event. The comments are related below in unedited and alphabetical format.

• A great atmosphere with all the players enjoying their time with similar aged and like minded people. The singing Nuns were AWESOME!

• Albert park is always a good venue, food at fields was great • All of it • All the fun • Atmosphere • Atmosphere, camaraderie • Attending the soccer dinner with team mates on sat. night at the Goonellabah

soccer club. • Being able to play sport • Being part of a great team. • Being with friends and meeting people • Being with my team and enjoying playing. • Being with team mates and winning. • Bowling clubs -‐ great amenities & excellent company of competitors • Breaks between games. Allowed team members to regain their strength for

the next game. • Catching up with d friends • Catching up with friends • Catching up with friends • Catching up with friends and having fun playing • Catching up with friends and team mates • Catching up with friends from out of town whom I have met at other

tournaments • Catching up with mates • Catching up with old friends. The team camaraderie. • Catching up with teammates/friends over 3 days without children

interrupting!!! • Catching up. Revisiting past glories • Celebrating & playing with my friends. Great sportsmanship all round • Camaraderie • Competing • competing & fun with other competitors • Competing in a social environment. • competition and friendliness • Camaraderie • Camaraderie • Camaraderie with team mates and other teams • Comradeship


• Enjoying a weekend with friends • Enjoyment of players that had never played before enjoying themselves we

played for fun very enjoyable. Dinner at the Goonellabah soccer club very very nice

• Entertainment • Everything • Everything • everything • Everything, well almost everything. Would have loved to play more games

against more teams, but loved the mostly friendly attitude of the other teams (all bar 1 of the teams we played were awesome, 1 team thought they were playing the world cup). Loved getting away with the girls and letting our hair down a little.. Fantastic weekend I wish it was every year...

• Excellent sport organisation, teammates and other teams sportsmanship. Volunteers and organising committees did a great job. Lunch provided by the cricket group was great.

• Friendly attitude by 99.9% of people I had contact with • Friendly fellow competitors • friendly organisers and competitors • Friendly sporting environment except for one team. • Friendship • Friendship and fun • Friendship of all touch teams • Friendship with team mates. • Friendship, Fun, Exercise and Entertainment • Friendship, great organisation and atmosphere. • Friendship, meeting new people • Friendships • Friendships • Friendships and how friendly everyone played • Fun • Fun and laughter • Fun enjoyable atmosphere • Fun Team Games and new friendships made. • Games and participation with friends. Meet new people • GETTING A MEDAL • Getting some exercise and playing sport with my friends. • Getting together on friday night with the other sports • Getting together with like minded people and enjoying the weekend • Going away with my friends • Good times with my team • Good tough competition • Great people • Had a great time both in competition and social • Having fun and enjoying team mates


• Having fun and meeting new people • Having fun with all the teams • Having fun, meeting new people • I always love the Lismore Masters as it is a friendly and well run games with

out the pressure of the Pan Pacs • I enjoyed getting to know new people, both in my team, as well as my

opponents. • I loved just going to Lismore. It's a great weekend away. Far enough away from

Brisbane to feel like 'getting away'. Lismore is a lovely quaint town and it's a pleasure to have an excuse to go.

• I thought the food supplied was fantastic, both the canteen and the extra tents set up offered a healthy selection of food

• It was a great time to get together and have fun. • It's not taken too seriously by most teams, just a bit of fun. • just being with the girls, competition very well run and time maintained well • Lismore is a brilliant town, everyone is extremely friendly. The games were

well organised. • Lovely & friendly atmosphere. I was really good fun. Had sore ribs from

laughing • Lovely friendly people, great atmosphere. • Making friends • Meeting a number of people from other sports • Meeting new people • Meeting new people and fabulous team mates • Meeting new people and having fun with friends • Meeting new people with similar likes • Meeting new people, being a part of a team and generally having some 'me'

time. • Meeting new people. • Meeting new people. • Meeting old mates • Meeting other athletes • Meeting other people, having fun playing sports. • Meeting other teams • Meeting people • Meeting the previous Masters' competitors, team camaraderie • Meeting up with old friends and meeting new friends • Most teams helping us out and making it fun • My friends company which I can do every week so nothing in the games for

me, I have had the same comment from golf competitors from previous years • My team mates • My team mates • Netball • New friendships • Nothing. Won't be doing Masters in Lismore again • Nuns on the Run...another soccer team, were great fun! Singing karaoke,


dancing, announcing things during the games at the soccer -‐ HIRE them for entertainment!!

• Played some great teams in the netball and met some nice ladies from different areas

• Playing • Playing • Playing • Playing • Playing & socialising • playing against other teams • Playing and catching up with old friends. • playing and enjoying night time activities • Playing and having a laugh • Playing and socialising with team mates • Playing and socialising. • Playing and spending time with friends. Always a great weekend of laughter. • Playing cricket • Playing hockey with and against friends. Usually like going out on Friday night

but I was ill and couldn't attend. Heard it was a great night but food was awful as usual

• Playing my sport with my team mates • Playing my sport. • Playing softball with friends. • Playing sport • Playing sport • Playing sport with friends • Playing sport with my friends in a friendly atmosphere • Playing the game I love with my friends • Playing the game with friends • Playing the games and meeting new like minded people. • Playing the sport and the food at the Gbah Soccer club on the Saturday night. • Playing the sport with like minded competitors. • Playing the sport, meeting new people, the soccer dinner at Goonellabah

soccer club on Saturday night was excellent. • Playing Touch and enjoying with friends • Playing with friends • Playing with friends and the enjoyment we all got from playing together • Playing with friends in good spirit • Playing with mates • Playing with mates • Playing with my fellow competitors • Playing with my fellow team members, the friendliness and that my husband

could attend with me. • Playing with my team • Quick registration process. Good atmosphere. Fantastic new friends!


• Renewing old and new friendships • Scoring runs • Seeing everyone again • Seeing old friends • Seeing old friends again • Socialising, Team spirit and chance to compete • soccer, friendships • Social aspect • Social aspect • Social aspect • Social aspect getting together with friends • social aspect of the sport • Social aspects • Social atmosphere • Social atmosphere • Social side and catching up with so many old friends. • Social side meeting old friends • Social, Fun and friendly • Socialising • socialising and catching up with people you don't see very often • Socializing with all competitors • Spending the weekend with a great bunch of ladies, playing our favourite

sport. Also meeting up with friends from past Masters • Spending time with my husband (he came as a supporter) and with my

teammates, whilst playing a game I enjoy. Also, got my money's worth with 8 games in 3 days, and all 10.00am games!

• Spending time with team mates • Spending time with the team -‐ the competition was a mix of tough and fun

which was great • Sport • Sportsmanship by everyone who played • Sportsman ship • Sportsmanship • Sportsmanship and fun • Team • Team aspects • TEAM MATES AND SOCIAL ASPECTS • Team spirit • Team spirit and getting to know others. • Teamwork and sportsmanship. • That golf was back in • The fun • The atmosphere • The atmosphere and being around like minded people. • The atmosphere and friendship, meeting new friends


• The atmosphere at the fields, the games played in good spirit and the social aspects -‐ new friendships.

• The attitude of lot of the competitors. • The company • The company and our very last game where we played people of a similar age

and level (but unfortunately for them they ad more injures!). • The competition • The competitors and venue • The camaraderie • The day at sports fields with teams. • The friendliness amongst the players. • The friendliness of everyone involved, players, officials and Lismore in general. • The friendly atmosphere and fun approach to the gamers. People laughing. • The friendly atmosphere that always happens with softball • The friends • The friendship • The fun and laughter and atmosphere between the players. Seeing old friends

again.. • The fun factor! • The fun we had and the chance to get together. • The games and making friends from other clubs. • The games that were relaxed were fun • The games were well organised and the atmosphere was really fun. Met some

new people and reconnected with others I hadn't seen for a while. • The good spirit in which the games were played. • The laughs • the laughter between the friendly teams • The new friendships and the fun of playing sport • the social aspect • The social aspect of meeting other people and the friendly competiveness of

the games • The spills and the laughs. • The spirit in which all games were played. Competitive but friendly. • The spirit in which the competition was played. Met a lot of really lovely

people and had a great time. • The spirit that some teams played in • The sport • The sport • The sport& gamesmanship. • The staying in the area • The team aspect • The team camaraderie. The welcoming town. • The team, the smile, the personal satisfaction. It relit the Desiree • The weather ... n good spirit amongst the players in general • The whole event.


• the whole experience • Those teams who played with the appropriate sportsmanship. • Time spent with friends/team • Very well organised and excellent competition, facilities and social atmosphere • Well organised and communicated • Winning


The WORST thing about the Lismore Masters Games… Respondents were asked to indicate the least enjoyable aspects of the event. The comments are related below in unedited and alphabetical format.

• 3 draws put out • A poor performance • A team that took the games much too seriously • Accommodation stuff up • Advertise more to surrounding areas to register teams. I live in Yamba and I

know a team would have been organised to go up if it had of been advertised more. I had no idea about the Friday night dinner and function at the workers club. It was not promoted enough and should have been held on the Sat night.

• All was good • Bad sportsmanship • Baseball and softball organisation should get together and run the canteens

together. • Being rushed to finish the second game • Could not access website to see results and photos • Definitely the Friday Night tea at the Workers Club -‐ worst meal I've ever had

in my life. Have not heard one positive comment about the Workers Club Meal/Entertainment.

• Dinner at Workers Club. • Draw changes • Entertainment • Entertainment & meal on Fri nite at workers club • Fields too hard and uneven, lack of lines man (unbelievable). Women should

have over 35 comp. just like the men.!!!! • Food • Food -‐ terrible • Food at function. Made me violently ill • Food at Lismore Workers Club • Food at the main function • Food at the welcome dinner wasn't fantastic! • Food at the Welcome Function • Food at the workers • Food at the workers club on the Friday night. • Food at the wc • Food at welcome event • Food at workers club. Registration process had problems. Team mates paid

but no record & had trouble getting council staff to confirm. Numerous emails & follow ups by participants to council staff with little assistance.

• Food at workers club function • Food, and what u get in your games pack.


• Fri night dinner at the workers horrible • Friday night meal at Workers Club, very ordinary. • Friday nights dinner at the golf club • Fridays dinner Very unnecessary • Function at Workers Club. Food was an embarrassment. Hippy band were very

ordinary. Just get a band people can dance to, then you would get the atmosphere back again.

• Had 2 games on Friday but 5 on Saturday (including finals). Could of been spread out better

• Hamstring injury • Hangover lolz • How serious some team took it • How the teams are worked out. Average of age would be better • I received more information from my team than the organisers. I don't recall

getting any pre-‐games information -‐ email or postal -‐ so I didn't even know about Friday night until it was too late to organise care for my kids. Also my team mates could not register for me as I was unable to make it on the Friday. I went to the Goonellabah Workers Sports Club to register only to find out that I had to go down town. I missed the first 15 mins of my first game.

• I think I say this every year, along with 3000 other people. The Meal at the Workies, you guys need to spend a Saturday night with Oztag at The Wog Club and see what a top job Al puts on.

• Inability to get into Lismore for the dinner functions. • Injuries • It ended. • Lack of bins & toilets • Lack of feeling I was s part of something special happening in my community • Lack of interest from other sports to the opening ceremony and the food was

terrible. Should have had the family that catered for the softball at the grounds where we played. They had absolutely beautiful salads etc for us everyday they put the workers club caters to shame.

• Lack of photos uploaded. Hearing other sports had prizes! • Late finishers • Lismore workers club meal. Terrible. Band in opening night very ordinary • Long break in between games • Main auditorium had no atmosphere early in the night. Needed some music

whilst having our meal. Upstairs at the karaoke had much more atmosphere • Market day early Sunday morning • Maybe winning teams could get something other than a medal like

merchandise which would promote games • Meal at Opening night -‐ very poor • Meal at the Workers • Meal at the workers club was not so great • Meal at welcoming function. Absolutely awful. Don't bother next time! • Meal at Workers Club on Friday night • Meal at workers club supposedly worth $18 but was horrible


• Meal on friday night • Meal on the Friday night at the Workers Club was appalling and embarrassing

for the club -‐ they would not have fared well with repeat business after the terrible food that was served.

• Missing a game because the draw was changed without our team being notified Junior umpires

• More communication required. Better website and facebook facilities. Workers club meal on Friday evening was very poor. Soccer club foot on Saturday evening whilst basic was very good.

• Muscle soreness • Muscles slower than Brain • My injury • My performance • Needed portaloos down the back as lack of these result in members refraining

from drinking water. This I feel is very bad as we become dehydrated and dizzy. It is way too far to rush up to the club house when needed. Particularly also for women who have other monthly needs. There were moments on the weekend where I needed to go and thought I could wet myself if I exerted myself too much running on the field.

• No atmosphere in auditorium • No basic amenities at grounds. The food at Lismore Workers on Friday night

was disgusting. • No being able to participate in the division i registered in ( without any

notification ) • No physio at the venue!!! • No press coverage of golf • No Toilets or rubbish bins at most grounds we played at. • Not being able to pick up whole teams registrations even being team organiser • Not enough competition • NOT ENOUGH SUN SHADE AT THE VENUE • Not enough teams in each division • Not enough women in the main sport • Once again poor quality food on friday night. Overall seems expensive for what

we get • Opening function. • Over competitiveness • People dressed as fools • Play at mid day • Playing against teams who would be div 3 at Logan when we would be pushing

div 8 • Poor approaches to concrete pitches. • POOR ORGANISATION AND COMMUNICATION OF NETBALL DRAW VERY POOR

FOOD AND ORGANISATION OF SOCIAL NIGHT FRIDAY • Price for drinks at south Lismore club • Realising I am getting too old. • Sadly...the band at the Friday night function. I found them disappointing.


Other years they've had a big band that got everyone dancing. This year was a bit dull and I left early.

• Some of the dubious umpiring calls -‐ they even admitted they were incorrect, but didn't do the right thing and change them! Also -‐ the grading system is confusing and unfair.

• Some team behaviour and aggressive players • Some teams again are a bit too serious. Be competitive, sure, but these games

are all about having a good time. • Some teams made it more of a competition than for fun. • Sore feet. • Sore muscles afterwards... lol • Spirit of the game • Sunburn • teams that did not respect the sport and played silly games throughout • Teams who play 'for sheep stations' • Terrible food at the workers club would be better off taking that money off the

fees and people can spend around town. Not a food snob like the basics but it was truly awful. only reason I'm filling in this survey.

• The $5 salad roll i bought from the canteen! ... no 3 inner ingredients could of been supplied in lesser proportions ... except the cheese that i ordered that was non existent!

• The amenities at the venue were of very poor standard. • The cheap imitation gold medal • The dinner at the Lismore Workers club was disgraceful and not worth the $18

that was printed on the ticket. I would expect a big club like that could manage something a little better than soggy pasta, over cooked sausages and rissoles! It was disgusting!

• The dinner at the welcome function on the Friday night was truly awful. The food was either overcooked or undercooked, I have had better meals in a public hospital. Fancy being served on plastic plates and with plastic cutlery... never mind the workers coming around with plastic garbage bags in hand binning all the plates and leftovers, I even had one girl watch me eat the last forkful so she could grab my plate... On the other hand, the Saturday night dinner at the soccer club was fantastic, great food and service.

• The dinner at the workers club • The dinner at the workers club. It was the worst put of the years I have been

before. No one liked it. And a lot less people comet to the club as the food is always bad . A sausage sizzle would have been better.

• The dinner at the Workers club on the Friday night. It was the worst meal I have ever eaten. It was a rip off at $18. Everyone was talking about how bad it was. We had an outstanding meal at the Goonellabah Soccer Club on the Saturday that was $15. I will be informing the Workers Club management about it. The plastic knife and fork could barely cut it. A total disgrace by the club.

• The dinner at the workers club was appalling! Was not worth the money that was on the tickets. People did not attend the function because of previous


disappointing meals in previous years which meant a low turnout of master participants. Very disappointing!!

• The dinner at the Workers Club. It was my wedding anniversary, my wife got the night off work too attend, which cost $45, for a sausage, some dried out potatoe salad and lettuce on a plastic plate and plastic cutlery. We had been looking forward to this dinner for weeks and it was shameful.

• The dinner at the Workers Club. It was terrible. • The dinner/entertainment at the workers club on the Friday night. The food

was very poor, the drinks a little expensive and the entertainment was bad and started very late.

• The extreme and dodgy umpire calls -‐ not professional. • The food / meal Friday night • The food and entertainment at the workers club very very bad • The food and lack of entertainment at the function. The play off and medal

match draw. A team can win 7 games and get silver but so can a team that wins only 1 game!?!?

• The Food at Lismore Workers Club absolutely disgraceful • The food at the dinner • The food at the Friday night function and the band was terrible. Could have

used a local band who would have been heaps better • the food at the Friday night workers club function was ABYSSMAL bordered on

inedible Pathetic considering supposed worth • The food at the function night • The food at the function night was terrible!!! We try it every year, hoping it

will be good. But will not go to function next time. • The food at the function was disgusting and cold. It made almost the entire

team sick! Never will we eat at the workers club again. • The food at the function was not very good and the merchandise was old. • The food at the opening/ welcoming gig was not good (quite bad really)and

many other competitors felt he same. Certainly not worth the $18 ticket price. • The food at the welcome function was terrible! The fruit salad was the best

part. I would rather eat at the Goonellabah soccer club 2 nights in a row. • The food at the Workers Club • The food at the workers club Friday night...it was pathetic.... • The food at the Workers Club Function on Friday night. • The food at the Workers club it was horrible • The food at the Workers club on the Friday night function and the band, they

were good, but the music was not foot stomping, toe tapping it was too laid back, was expecting to do the nutbush, ACDC and even some modern music in there as well. The music before and during the bands break was not very good either. The food at the club was disgusting, what about roast meats and vegies or cold meats and salads with dressing, the potato salad was hot when it should of been cold and the hamburger pattie was sausage meat that was hard, the pasta had a tin of tomato sauce poured over it, there was no dressing for the salad and for the $18.00 it says we paid for the meal we get a sausage!!!!!! The cake was ok and I think the girls said the fruit salad was nice,


but what about a scoop of ice cream!!!! I didn’t try the chicken skewer as I was afraid it may not of been cooked through. Was really disappointed.

• The food at the Workers Club on the Friday night. Was very disappointing. • The food at the workers club was extremely bad! the food receipt said $18, if I

was charged $18 for that garbage at a restaurant I would be VERY unhappy • The food at the Workers Club was really bad and inedible, yet again. This has

been this way for the past 4 masters games. • The food at the workers club was shit and I heard it from a lot of people • THE FOOD AT THE WORKERS CLUB WAS THE WORST FOOD I HAVE EVER

TASTED AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WORTH $18 SO THE TICKET SAID! • The FOOD at the workers club, every year it is BAD, but this year was really

bad. The music was crap. When chunky custard played it was hard to get a spot on the dance floor.

• The food at the Workers Club, it was tasteless and bland and of extremely poor quality, they could have done much better. The Soccer club put on a delicious meal, simple but enjoyable.

• The food at the Workers Club. • The food at The Workers Club. Was awful. • The food at the workers club... Very disappointing. • The food provided at The Lismore Workers Club on the Friday night was a

disgrace. According to the ticket, it was worth $18. The variety, and quality, was terrible. I encourage you to either have The Workers Club to improve what's on offer, or select another venue for the Friday Night festivities, or reduce your registration fee and not include the dinner. VERY disappointing!

• The Friday night meal. • The function at the workers club did not live up to my expectations. The vibe

was missing. • The function at the workers club on Friday night continues to be a

disappointment. More and more people are just not going and going to other venues instead. Whilst I am local this is an opportunity to showcase our region and its facilities in the hope of getting them back before the next masters in two years as a tourist. The food provided and drinks in plastic cups is not a good look for a visitor from outside our region. There are constant rumours going around about who is to blame i.e. : workers club or LCC but the fact remains out of the $100 I paid in fess only $35 went to Oz tag organisers...with this they ran the comp paid umpires, medals and put on the best function of the whole masters games. ...the other $65 I got a plastic bag and a nstar newspaper and a very poor meal on Friday night just does not add up and needs to be fixed. In saying this the meal this year was by far the best of the 4 I have attended. Numbers seemed low but I am sure this can be confirmed by the number of meal tickets etc.

• The function at the workers club, the food was disgraceful!!!! We want people to come to our great city and when they do we serve them up that garbage! It was a big talking point among the football players. So come on let’s get it right for next time and really showcase the regions great food and produce.

• The function Saturday night


• The function that was held on Friday night was absolutely appalling. Dinner was 6.30 but we were waiting for entertainment to begin at 8.30. Think the overall organising was terrible, the food was disgusting which led to myself and other team members getting sick! Word of advice. The workers club really needs improving if you wish to continue to host Masters Games. Talking with other softball players they mentioned the club has a bad reputation with food and entertainment. Not happy at all!!! On a lighter note I was escorted off stage because we were tired if waiting for the band to commence.

• The heat and the dinner and band at the workers club on Friday night. • The heat in mid day • The heat, lol • The long days, there were lots of spare courts so could have played more

games and got the days finished earlier • The meal at the club which came with your registration was inadequate to say

the least. Major disappointment as prior years have been better. • The meal at the function was well below any standard that was expected. • The meal at the opening ceremony was very unsatisfactory, really

disappointing. • The meal at the welcome function and the band, very disappointing • The meal at the Welcome Function was an embarrassment. I had friends travel

from as far as Sydney for this event and I was truly apologetic to them as a local. If this is the best we can get for the $18 allocated then just reduce the fee by that amount and let people look after their own meal. The band and venue were great so that aspect still works.

• The meal at the WELCOME reception • The meal at the Workers Club on Friday night, I would have been embarrassed

to serve that. Next time even just a schnitzel, chips and salad would be more appetising than the crap that was served.

• The meal at the workers club on Friday night. Some of my team mates commented "they would not feed that food to their dog." Also we were told players were allowed to play who were not old enough yet.

• The meal at the workers club on the Friday night • The meal at the Workers Club on the Friday night -‐ appalling and not nearly

enough after a full day of sport. Had to go home and eat afterwards. • The meal at the workers club on the Friday night.. That was a letdown.. • The meal at the workers was appalling • The meal at workers club on Friday night was very disappointing compared to

other years. • The meal at Workers on the Friday night. The entertainment was poor

also...we need something we can dance to! • The meal in the workers club was awful would never attended it again • The meal on fri night really wasn’t fit to feed my dog. VERY VERY ORDINARY.

Next year will eat elsewhere, and spend my after dinner money elsewhere as well.

• The meal on friday night -‐ terrible! • The meal on Friday night was a bit disappointing.


• The meal on Friday night. The bread roll, pork sausage, pasta and potato salad were nice. The rissoles were like eating cardboard, the kebab was too small the toss salad and always full of lettuce. I know you feed a lot of mouths but really do you think the meal is worth $18.00.

• The meal provided and entertainment • The meals and entertainment on the Friday night at the workers club were not

to the standard of 2011. • The official function at the Workers Club on Friday was a poor reflection on

Lismore and what this area offers for food and entertainment. The "BBQ" dinner food was appalling and it was served on paper plates with plastic cutlery which were collected at the end of our meal by a Workers Club staff member holding open a garbage bag at the end of our table. The entertainment was supplied by a Noosa band, surely we have enough musical talent here in Lismore we could showcase instead of paying a band from interstate, who initially didn't play music you could even dance too. So my team and I left the venue. When speaking with other players the next day who were from out of town, they commented on the extremely poor food and had already made the decision not to attend the function next time, should they return to the games in the future. It is such a shame that this function was being discussed so negatively when it should have been a highlight of the weekend.

• The official meal at the Workers Club -‐ sausage -‐ rissole, kebab, pasta ? salad ok, sweets ok but served on plastic plates and cutlery -‐ hot food was cold

• The pain on Monday of my aching body • The pathetic food on Friday night. I wouldn't feed it to a dog • The rarely encountered, "we are playing for sheep stations" attitude. • The stables are too small at the show grounds • The team I was in • The teams that have a win at all cost • The teams that played for sheep stations were over the top. I thought masters

was about fun, not competition?!? • The unsatisfactory meal at the welcome function. Considering the ticket had

$18.00 allocated for the meal I would have better spent my money at McDonalds

• The way the final pools were achieved , not enough medals provided • The weather • The welcome ceremony, food was not good, entertainment below par • The welcome dinner and ceremony • The welcome dinner at the Workers Club "Worst meal I have ever eaten".

WHY go there. Majority of my team did not go due to the fact that the food is Disgusting + the band was crap and did not start until after 9pm too late + drinks were expensive. The only winner here was the Workers Club.

• The welcome dinner at the Worker's Club. The meal was embarrassing. I assume a hoped by-‐product of holding this event is to showcase our local area and the facilities and services it provides, to encourage people (tourists) to come back. The meal was a poor indication of the fine food available in our


area. It did not reflect a wholesome welcome to the visitors. I was embarrassed to tell people I was from Lismore.

• The welcome dinner was a bit poor -‐ definitely not worth $18.00. The entertainment started too late at the welcome dinner.

• The welcome dinner was terrible and the organisation of the event was very poor, didn't know where to go what was happening, the quality, variety and look of the food was of a poor standard. I ended up leaving before any announcements, band or entertainment was offered. Drinks were very expensive at the venue compared to other bars and restaurants. The experience was very underwhelming and I felt ripped off. I would have prepared to spend the money on a local restaurant like we did on the other nights and received much better service, quality food etc.

• The welcome dinner was very unsatisfactory. The food provided was not very appetising.

• The welcome dinner......food was cold and not very appealing. Any entertainment or welcome ceremony started too late. We along with many others left before anything started. For me it was non-‐existent.

• The welcome function -‐ it was slow to progress and the meal was appalling. If it were to remain this way I wouldn't bother attending that part in future. I had been told I would enjoy it and many people recommended it however afterwards I heard only similar opinions to my own.

• The welcome function dinner was disgusting. For $18 burnt and dried out meat with a lettuce salad is definitely not worth the money. It would be better to order your own meal or go somewhere else for dinner and come back for the entertainment.

• The welcome function food. It was disgusting. The salads were warm, the meat swimming in fat. We ate at the pub instead as did multiple other people.

• The welcome function had awful food, poor entertainment and poorly serviced.

• The Welcome Function was disappointing. The food was not of a very good standard at all, seems to get worse each year. The entertainment starts too late.

• The welcome function was dismal. The food was very poor. the entertainment was missing -‐ the band was set up but we ended up going to the karaoke in another part of the club

• The Welcome function was extremely disappointing. And the lack of first aid at the netball courts. We had some pretty bad injuries on court, and not a first aid person to be seen. First aid was administered by opposing players and team mates. Very poor effort, for the amount of monies paid.

• The Welcome function was nowhere near as good as previous years, especially the food and the entertainment (or lack thereof) in the Auditorium. Thank goodness for the Karaoke in the Bistro and the soccer girls!

• The welcome function was woeful. Food was awful and having to wait over 2hrs for crappy band was disappointing. Karaoke had better atmosphere

• The welcome function. The quality of the food was extremely poor, in quality and preparation. I will not attend another welcome function for the meal.


• The whole registration experience my team had so much trouble as did others from what I was told. We couldn't pay on line, we couldn't register properly on line, people were charged double others didn't get a receipt email. The whole registration was really badly organised and I am embarrassed that we couldn't do better. For us it was annoying stressful and inconvenient for anyone who lived away and travelled it would be enough to stop them returning you really need to lift your game it has been better organised in past years. For the sake of the masters games please improve the process no excuse this day and age. We were told it was only us but from talking to people from all sports they all had problems whether it was early bird or later. If the problems were notified to you early you should have fixed them. Not a good way to promote our town. I think you are lucky that we all enjoy our sports as the food and registration is awful and definitely not up to scratch. It is not hard or expensive to offer quality food not the garbage that was served

• The women’s draw was one pool so it was hard to get a gold or silver if you were playing the harder teams

• The workers club food and welcome night was appalling and embarrassing as a Lismore resident. The food was inedible and not cooked properly. The desert was just a frozen cake in a plastic container, why?? The band didn't start till way too late, beating in mind that everyone had played sport during the day so most people were tired.. I thoroughly enjoyed playing netball but will NOT attend the function ever again. Everyone I spoke with said the same thing. Most people left and had to buy food on the way home as sausages and rissoles uncooked floating in oily water in not acceptable..

• There was a mix up with the medal tally causing the medals to be presented to incorrect people, it was sorted on the day but not a good look!!!

• There was a stuff up with our accom, and we have to move for the last night. The first hotel however took care of us with the reaccom.

• There was nothing organized for netball on the Saturday night • Too long between some games. I heard that the food at the welcome dinner

was absolutely awful, from both women and men. Numbers were down at the welcome dinner.

• We stayed at the Golf club and then went down to the Workers club and no one was there and everyone complained about the food. This is why competitors are staying away.

• Welcome dinner at the Club. Meal was awful! • Welcome event • Welcome function -‐ food was really poor • Welcome function food cold and better off giving a voucher to purchase own

food. Band started too late • Welcome function food. • Welcome function friday night the food was disgusting. • Welcome function was disjointed with different sports in different rooms and

the meal pretty ordinary. • Workers Club meal • Would have liked the medals to detail at least the sport, position and year.


Further Comment…

Respondents were asked to indicate if they had any further comments to make about any aspect of the Lismore Worker’s Games. The comments are related below in unedited and alphabetical format.

• 1) Maybe it could be mentioned as part of the registration, that if you do not intend to complete all your scheduled games, rethink even participating from the beginning. 2) Don't allow people to change the game they are registered in to change their chosen sport 1hour prior to the first game! I know the games are for fun, but a lot of organisation goes into creating the draws and it is not nice if you have to forfeit your game just because your opposing team decides not to show up or is playing another sport.

• 1. The band at workers was nowhere near as good as previous games. Get the previous band back. 2. Lismore games does not seem value for money anymore. The show bag was same as last time with nothing but advertising in it. The meal was shit, the band terrible and only four hours of soccer for $110. I'm not sure how many athletes were in Lismore this year but where does all this money go to? 3. Draw need to come out earlier so transport and accommodation can be changed if you have an early game on the Friday.

• A bus on the second night to bring everyone back to a central venue would be a asset to return from the individual functions so everyone ends up together again.

• A Facebook page specifically for the masters with information posted regularly for each sport, photos, results etc...

• A fun weekend, the welcome bags are a bit of a waste of time and money! • A lot of speculation has gone around at the weekend there would be know

games in 2015 • Access to sports and remedial massages would be of benefit. I think 35 as a

starting age for a master is too young (joking I guess). • After not winning anything for a few masters games, we finally won a gold

medal. It wasn't a masters games medal but a cheap swimming gild medal. We were very disappointed.

• Also, the shortage of medals. The rules stated that there must be a minimum of 11 players to register, yet only 10 medals were supplied at presentation. Besides this, there is nothing on the medals that show what year or division they were from. Surely a year would be easy enough to add at least.

• As a sponsor, Lis Workers club should be ashamed of the meal served up at the welcome ceremony. Every person I spoke to on the night complained about the poor quality food. The entertainment at the ceremony however was fantastic.

• As above • As many other patrons we found the welcome dinner on the Friday night to be

of less than satisfying..... we have all been out playing to our maximum capacity throughout the day and found the food to be less then fulfilling to replenish our energy levels.


• Better catering at the function night. Dried up sausages, terrible meat patties, uncooked potato salad ! surely someone with a bit of imagination can make something better !

• Better food at the workers club and the entertainment should of started earlier a lot of people went home

• Cant wait till next games • Congrats to the organisers -‐ job well done. • Congratulations and well done. Need to do something about the Workers Club

function on Friday night -‐ food is very ordinary and too much sitting around waiting for something to happen...put all sports together on the floor of the auditorium. Have the entertainment in other areas of the club. Change the quality of the food -‐ there is no way that meal cost the allocated price -‐ salad, sausages (!!), meat patties, chicken sticks and pasta with a packaged dessert -‐ surely an organisation the size of the workers club can do better than that. If not -‐ look for an alternative or get another head chef!

• Consider other venue for welcome ceremony. Use local bands at opening ceremony more than one support local. Detail costing.

• Consider the possibility of having two divisions....one for competitive and one for bloody good fun! oh and this survey doesn't give you the option to say you spent $0!!

• Do not include a meal & band in the Masters fee as 1/2 the people do not go due to the inedible food. Share the wealth. I'm lead to believe Goonellabah Soccer Club put on a great meal on Saturday night for the soccer players and the BBQ & Salads were a huge hit at Softball for under $10 a plate very yummy, "Put the Workers Club to shame". Also it was very disappointing that the Merchandise for sale was the same as the previous Masters. Plus the local players did not receive shoe bag in there packs they only got newspaper and crap. (stubbie holders or drink bottles are good)

• Do not put it on same weekend as other grand finals as had people who would not play due to this and parents having kids in grand finals

• Earlier start to entertainment at workers club & better food • Everything was good except the food at the club... Very very ordinary, was a

let down. • Fix the food! • For softball, there needed to be a separate function organised on the 2nd

night.. That would have been nice to socialise a bit more with the teams after the games....

• For the games to be held for so many years it should have been organised better and the meals at the workers club were terrible, and cold.

• Friday night massive failure couple of years running. A lot of competitors we chatted to on the Saturday will organize own meal next time.

• Friday nights function needs to be more appealing to competitors. Meal could be staggered so that the food is part way decent. I know feeding that many people at once can be difficult, but a sausage???

• Good organization. All questions in the registration process were promptly dealt with.


• Great organisation...had a ball!! • hope to have more mixed touch teams, • I did not attend any of the dinners organised at the Workers Club but from

what I was told by other people who attended the meal was very poor. • I did not see any merchandise at all. Massage tents available at a cost like at

marathons and triathlons would be well used at this type of event. Great weekend overall.

• I feel a better idea for the Friday night dinner would be a set order menu or alternate drop choice, because the food was that bad.

• I felt for the cost to play they could have incorporated at least a drink bottle as was always done previously or a hat Also meal at Workers club had much to be desired as usual

• I really enjoyed the weekend with friends and the sport but it was over shadowed by a committee who think they r better than the participants to even come down and talk to participants

• I recommend local bands Cath Simes or Mossy rocks or the local DJ Boston Entertainment for our next Lismore Games. These people will rock the club and everyone will luv them.

• I think the main conversation is how terrible the meal was that Workers Club Friday Night

• I think the merchandise could be better -‐ maybe a little less expensive t-‐shirt/long sleeve t, not black and not a polo shirt

• I understand that there hundreds of athletes and organising a dinner for that amount is difficult but that dinner was not even worth turning up for. I spoke to many different people over the next 2 days and everyone said the same thing. For my wife and myself it was meant to be a special evening that was ruined by the lack of food and the way it was presented.

• I was told the meal has always been bad and I know of many people who did not attend the dinner and went and paid again for a meal elsewhere -‐ something should be done to change this as there was no way that meal was worth $18 more like $5-‐$8

• I will return if there are lineament and physios onsite. Just like in the Asia Pacific and Australian Masters.

• I would ask the Workers Club to step up their meals or you will have people going elsewhere for dinner and drinks! The Goonellabah Soccer club made a fantastic dinner with minimal staff and no formal chef. Just good homemade cooking.

• I would like to see u include a 2nd age group to your formatting ... Over 50's is a huge resource demographic ... just waiting for some arena to be able to play in again within in their similar age group/afflictions!

• I would prefer to pay a higher cost in our fee to get better food. A lot of teams go elsewhere to eat because to food is bad at the workers club, so that says they would pay more to eat better food!!!!!!

• In making my comments I want to make a suggestion. We had excellent experiences at one restaurant and one hotel and would rather use the meal voucher at local restaurants. I know the Club is a major sponsor however


supporting the local businesses must also be an event outcome. • In regard to Q22 -‐ my answer would be maybe. My team is excellent and I

enjoy playing comps with them so much that I travel from Melbourne to be in the team however overall I thought the organisation and the events very average and not a drawing point to come back to 2015.

• It is usually well organised. I do have to say the band was not the best and I’m sorry to say just hearing people talk we get a meal ticket that says $18 in all honesty you could get a meal at the bistro which would be cheaper and nicer. We were the first to eat and still those rissoles were like cardboard. It is a shame that people don't go to the club because they are not happy with the meal. I remember when i first played masters you could not get on the dance floor but now most people stayed upstairs for the karaoke. That was good and entertaining.

• It would be good to see volleyball at the masters, the body is getting older and netball is hard on the body, yet really social that’s why we enjoy it so much.

• Just grading. My understanding is that more than 75% of games on Saturday were mercied.....surely this warrants looking into a fairer way of grading as it would appear teams are dishonest? Perhaps umpires could be empowered and those teams suspected of throwing games automatically play in div 1? Mind you I can't understand why teams throw games when everyone gets something : )

• Just have a good time. • Keep up the good work. It was a very good experience. • Lack of local advertisement that the event was on. No one I spoke to in my

daily routine new about it • Leanne is great xx • Lift your game with quality of food! • Lismore Workers and the council need to do better. There are a lot of hard

working volunteers bringing this sport to the area and they were let down. Basic amenities and good food needs to be mandatory.

• Lismore, Lennox Heads and Ballina lovely. • Looking forward to the 2015 Masters Games! Thank you for all your hard work

in organizing such a huge competition! • Love it! • May be a memento in the promo bag it was full of rubbish e.g. party whistle or

hat???? we are not pre schoolers • Maybe 9 aside on smaller fields. Maybe night games it was hot • Maybe a massage at Touch, pretty hard going. • Maybe don't send out draws until just the day or two before the event as the

netball draw was changed 3 times which was a bit confusing. Also after the first full day of competition you are starving after competing all day so it was a little disappointing the meal on Friday night as we were all looking forward to a great night and nice meal. Rock hard meat "pattie", big fat sausage or a cold chicken skewer with basic salad and a Luke warm pasta smeared with a bottle sauce didn't really excite many. Otherwise it was an awesome weekend and I look forward to the competitive side again in 2 years. Thanks for all the behind


the scenes effort that was done. • Maybe food and entertainment could be arranged at softball fields for the

Friday night ... there is a clubhouse there that could be utilised. • Meal at workers club needs a huge improvement. Gonellabah soccer club put

them to shame. • More entertainment and better food to bring more people back to the

workers club on the Friday night :) .. On a positive note you guys do a fantastic job organizing the masters

• My accommodation was excellent and very reasonably priced. • My family and I had a wonderful time and enjoyed the event. The officiating of

each game was of very high standard as opposed to other events that I have attended. Looking forward to 2015.

• My husband and I both enjoyed our time over the weekend and would love to do it again!

• My husband and I have been trying to get a refund of his registration fees for weeks now (as soon as we found out that the weekend clashed with his soccer grand final). Now, the Masters have come and gone, he did not register at The Lismore Workers Club nor pick up his passes, and yet we have still not seen the refunded money. A number of emails have been sent between Leanne Clark and my husband, I would like this situation to be resolved ASAP.

• Need to have a better selection of food., and a shirt or a hat in the games pack.

• Need to look at the food served at the workers club that's why we went elsewhere to eat

• No keep it going but improve the things I've already mentioned as it really effects peoples perceptions of the games. If we had to travel for this we would go to a different one as it was a very difficult process to do it all and deal with the people. This survey also not well set up as I can't leave the amount spent blank I didn't pay for entertainment or merchandise etc but put $1 to move on. I make these surveys it isn't hard

• Not everyone wants to drink grog and party, some just want to play sport • Offer some indoor sports or different sports with a non competitive

component. • Opening ceremony Could possibly be revamped. Maybe use Oaks oval and

make it more of a party atmosphere. Get in local food stalls to sell different types of foods, show off our local areas foodies.

• Our team had children as well. It was disappointing they could not eat at the welcome function with the 30 other team members. It would have been nice for us to be notified in advance children where not welcome.

• Perhaps women's age limit should be 35 the same as men’s for soccer as teams are starting to bring players in that are still playing at state and Newcastle level. Or start to have different pool winners like the softball does.

• Please ask on the entry form if participants want information emailed or posted. Obviously if an email was sent, I missed it. If it's posted, I wouldn't miss it. Thanks for a great games.

• Please do a better dinner and welcome ceremony.


• Please refer to soccer as football and promote awareness of the world game by making this change.

• Please upgrade your food, entertainment, and atmosphere at the welcome dinner. Please provide first aid officers, at the Netball. If these 2 things are rectified, we will definitely return in 2015.

• Pls can you reassess the meal at the club please!!!!! We also had children accompanying our group who were not allowed to participate in any activities at the club.

• Possibly playing more games. • Possibly return if there was a over 45 section in my sport of soccer • Provide a better meal at the Friday night function. Make sure there is a really

good band as well. • Read comment above in regards to workers club evening. • Really need bins & toilets should be open • see you in 2015 • Send out early information to clubs that attend and advertise more in

Brisbane. • shame this masters isn't an annual event • Shocking meal at Lismore workers, was a disgrace. • Should have merchandise at each event and get uni students to do massage at

each event. • SOO many people are put off by the food at the workers club, other teams

have said they stay in Ballina or go to other places for meals because they have had food poisoning! Plenty of other clubs can make decent food for many, why not ours?

• Thank you • thank you • Thank you for all your organizing. What a great job x • Thanks for a great time, I would especially like to thank the soccer admin as

they helped our team when we had a teammate become very sick before the games. They always kept in touch and went out of their way to accommodate us

• Thanks Leanne and staff you did a great job.. • Thanks to all involved • Thanks to ALL the organisers & volunteers. Without you, these things

wouldn't happen. • Thanks to all the volunteers and officials. Great job for Lismore. • The back pack you gave away is good in itself, but it would be even better if

some of the local businesses came on board with some vouchers for food and drink. Vouchers for buy lunch, get a free soft drink, or buy one coffee get one free over masters weekend are good examples. Somehow a fridge magnet doesn't quite cut it.

• The band on the Friday night at the workers club wasn't terrible but the style of music they played wasn't really good dance music -‐ was a bit laid back. The dinner on Friday night at the workers club was terrible. Some girls that I played netball against that weren't from Lismore agreed and didn't enjoy their meal.


It doesn't put a good display of what Lismore is really like for those coming from out of town. I would prefer to pay more money in my registration and get a better meal than what we were given. Overall though it was a great weekend of socialising and sport. Thanks

• The band was not as entertaining as on previous occasions • The band wasn't as good as previous years, Karaoke in the bistro was excellent

fun. • The fact that at the medal presentation there was only 10 medals per team yet

we needed a minimum of 11 to even register plus officials. This was very poorly organised.

• The food at the club needs reviewing • The food at the welcome function was not very nice • The food at the Workers Club on the Friday Night was absolutely disgraceful.

This was the only blemish on an otherwise great weekend. • The food on offer at the workers club should have variety to cater for

everyone. After a full day playing sport, competitors are hungry and the food was a bit of a let down.

• The food provided at the Workers Club was inedible. Platic plates and cutlery with waitresses walking around for clean up with garbage bags was not dining experience that I enjoyed. I would prefer to not pay the extra $18 and go out for dinner at another venue.

• The food provider at the softball ground ie the BBQ was inappropriately cooked and considered a food safety risk. Was in breach if the HACCP guidelines for food service -‐ chicken kebabs were bought and were still raw. Care needs to be taken if selling good commercially. No one comes away for a fun weekend to be a victim of good poisoning

• The food supplied at the workers club was appalling. • The food was slop & cold by the time we got it at the golf club. Maybe you

should cook on site. • THE FUNCTION AT THE WORKERS CLUB WAS VERY POOR -‐ THE FOOD WAS

RECORD BREAKING BAD AND THE BAND LATE AND INAPPROPRIATE. SUCH A WASTED OPPORTUNITY.

• The golf course organisation was great • The meal at the Workers Club was terrible. I will not recommend anyone to go

there for a meal. Plastic plates and cutlery at the biggest club in town? Disgusting!

• The meal at the works on Friday night was pretty ordinary as was the atmosphere.

• The merchandise needs to be updated and offer more options such as towels, hand towels, sweat bands , bags etc. The food at the function was not very appetising for $18 I would expect better. The umpiring was pretty poor we had a couple of girls who weren’t even confident enough to make a call.

• The merchandise was the same as 2011 very disappointed • The netball games need to be structured so that round robin games occur on

the morning of finals. Having lost our first final, playing our second final to get into the grand final and then having to play again within 20 minutes set us up


to lose as the first team into the grand finals had over and hour to recover. Incredibly disappointing and unfair

• The night time functions need to be re-‐thought. We didn't attend the Workers Club function on the Friday night due to the slop that was served as food at the 2011 games. We heard this year's food was worse slop. Maybe don't provide meal (just drink tickets) and then just provide after dinner entertainment. Same goes for the Soccer function on the Sat night -‐ not interested in eating slop. Therefore our whole team provided our own food and entertainment. Transport to and from the functions is also an issue from the coast. If the food and transport issues could be improved we would likely participate.

• The quality of food was cheap and a blight on the games With so much great produce in the Nth Rivers the food should reflect the character of our region

• The town does not support the games. There is no adequate entertainment or restaurants offering deals or places to go and frequent besides friday night. Also the merchandise is old and tired they where selling merchandise from 2 years ago! They didn’t even have caps to sell. Very short sighted. The whole games experience was like it was very tired.

• The venue for the soccer is a big asset for the masters. The close proximity of the two fields, the bar (!) and the ample car parking makes the experience very comfortable and easy. The officiating was good and fair and in good humour for the majority.

• The Welcome bags needed a map and information about the sport your competing in and Lismore’s facilities such as hospital drs food supermarkets etc and a Lismore street map.

• The whole welcome ceremony needs to be re thought. The food was not good, I didn't like how all the sports were split up throughout the club. Needs to be at a location where everyone can come together to mingle and celebrate better. Something like the Pan Pacs games

• The Workers Club has to lift its game. • The Workers Club needs to lift there game for the Friday night meal if Council

wants people to attend the function and take their cut from it. $18.50 for a meal, as per the ticket, the Workers Club should be embarrassed. More like $3/head.

• There should be a social division for netball and having spoken to friends playing other sports maybe other sports also. No points, no medals just for teams that want the social side of the games without having to play the teams that are serious and very competitive.

• They needed a longer break between the semi and grand finals for the Netball. Team in second position had a 15 min break before having to play the top team in the grand final. Run finals as 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 to avoid this problem.

• This is a great event and brings a lot of income into the area. The LCC and workers club need to work together to make the Friday night function a better experience and that would then top off a great couple of days thanks

• Try and feed people DECENT food. • Unless you printed out the draw you were unaware of who you were playing

or watching. I would have liked announcements (e.g. -‐ loud haler) before the


games announcing who the teams were. • Very enjoyable but start all the competitions on the Friday as most

competitors come from outside the local region, I'm sure. Have the function on Sat night or consider having separate sports functions. It's still a good event but might need a new approach.

• Very well done • Well done LCC • Will not return as the Workers club venue/meal was disgusting. • Would like to pay less in registration fees and not receive a discount to go to

the Club for dinner. • You need to rethink your welcoming function on the Friday night. Provide a

decent meal and entertainment and people will come. • You need to start the entertainment at the welcome event much earlier -‐ most

people left before 9pm cause there was no music playing. Also the food was awful -‐ worst in 5 games. Surely a roast meal wouldn't cost much more -‐ that is what we used to get and it was always enjoyable.

Contact Dr Dave Arthur CEO Sport Business Resources m. +61 (0)422267813 e. [email protected] www.sportbusinessresources.com

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