Seven sports clubs in Saint John have started an umbrella tournament called the East Coast Games.

More than 1,000 athletes from across the Maritimes, Quebec and New England, ranging from age 15 to the masters level, are expected to come to Saint John June 26-28 for the event.

Swimming, women's soccer, rugby, basketball, softball, track and field and lacrosse are the sports included in the line-up.

"We pulled together seven sports groups that might have participated or created tournaments of their own throughout the summer, and have created an umbrella organization to do these all on one weekend," said event organizer Bill MacMackin.

Each sport group has a Saint John club that will host an event that is sanctioned by each sport's provincial association.

MacMackin said the goal was to allow Saint John area athletes to stay at home, yet face good competition, instead of always having to be on the road.

He said the hope is to give the city an economic boost, too.

"You can go out and bid on events and spend money on the bid process," he said.

MacMackin said the organizers hope to make it an annual event and add more sports each year.

"Instead of wasting a lot money on a bid we can invest that money in developing the event."

Events will be held throughout the city at municipal parks and rinks, along with the Canada Games Aquatic Centre and UNBSJ.

MacMackin says a few hundred volunteers will be needed to help throughout the weekend.