“And we have attracted a few players from other clubs who are interested to come on board,” Lavender said.

Pete Stevens will coach the a grade side again this year, and Lavender said Stevens would like to improve on last year’s effort. 

“Anthony Dunn is our reserve grade coach again and he is keen to improve upon last year as well,” Lavender said.

 “Our junior coaches are Alex McCosker and Dave Cook and as yet we are still to confirm a League Tag coach, but from all the rumours I’ve been hearing we’re all good to go.”

Lavender said there will be a mixture of old team and new in this year’s competition.

“The Boomerangs are in again this year, according to reports Warialda are in, Guyra are reforming and the Narwan eels look like coming back in,” he said.

There was an attempt at the end of last season to split Group 19 into first and second division competitions.

“I was always against that,” Lavender said.

“But so were the other clubs when they heard what was going to go on. At the moment it’s all first division, and at this stage I think there might be eight or so sides.”

Lavender said he was pleased with the support the Hawks received and very pleased with to have Inverell RSM Club on board again as a sponsor for this season.

“We were sponsored years ago by the RSM, 2000 – 2001 I think, and it’s good to have them back on board again. Plus we’re working with the junior league as well,” Lavender said.

“Trying to get us all back into the one group again. Our whole aim is to work with the junior league and work with them and get them ready for the senior league, when they finally do make that step up.

“Both easts, wests, and whatever they combine there, are more than welcome to come on board and do our drills with us and watch on with their coaches and take it back through their age groups.”