Around 6000 patrons are expected to pack into the arena.

However, the club and Bayliss will both be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast.

Steady rain throughout the day plagued the 2016 event and eventually led to the program being cancelled. The inaugural classic four years ago was also hindered by wet weather.

Lansdowne Football Club juniors will be special guests at this Sunday’s A-League fixture between the Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory as part of the ‘Hyundai Goals for Grassroots’ initiative.     

The club will be involved in a pre-match presentation where they will receive a cheque for $1000.

The club will also receive an additional $1000 for every goal scored by the Jets. 

Club president Scott Morrison said the money will allow for significant improvements to be made at the club.

"We've got very basic facilities and they are starting to age," he said.

"It's certainly a good kick off for the year. A little bit of money goes a long way out here." 

Being involved with the A-League’s grassroots promotion, Scott believes developing football at the junior level is exceptionally important to the success of the sport.

"This is where a majority of players learn how to play the game and gets them interested and involved in the game and hopefully keeps them active as they get older," Scott said.

After attracting a $15,000 grant from the NSW Sport and Recreation’s Community Building Partnerships Program, the club is in the process of creating a concrete/ sunshade project for the front of the Lansdowne Oval grandstand as well as purchasing new equipment.

THE second round of Club Taree Golf’s Summer Cup will be played tomorrow.

The event runs over six Saturdays in January and February and is sponsored by Taree Auto Group.

Dave Reed had the best net score in A-grade last weekend with 63.

Meanwhile 18 players defied sweltering conditions to play in Club Taree women’s summer competition this week. Judith McKenzie was the winner of the 18 hole stableford sponsored by Workwise Clothing with 38 points. Gail Duncan was runner-up on 37.

TAREE-Wingham Race Club officials hope the trend for big crowds at Mid North Coast meetings since Boxing Day continues next Tuesday when the club runs the Wingham Beef Export Cup.

There have been record turnouts for meetings held at Wauchope, Port Macquarie and Taree since Boxing Day.

Mid North Coast racing action heads to Tuncurry on Saturday (January 14) where the Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club will conduct a six event program, highlighted by the Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club Oyster Cup.