ONE long serving official stepped down, while another was made a life member at the Group Three Rugby League annual meeting held at the Wingham Services Club.
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Treasurer for the past 14 years, Harry Rider of Wingham, has relinquised his position. Mr Rider, however, will remain involved with the game and the group as finance officer, assisting the treasurer.
Group president Wayne Bridge was made life member. Mr Bridge took on the position in 2007 after a lengthy stint as secretary of the Wingham club, where he is also a life member.
There will be a change to the group's executive with Mr Rider's departure.
Barrie Smith has taken the role of secretary and treasurer - a first for the group.
To assist Mr Smith, two registrars have been appointed. Dave Henry will look after the northern clubs with Warren Blissett in charge of the southern area.
Kevin Hardy from Taree is the senior vice president and Geoff Kelly from Port Macquarie the junior vice president.
The group exeutive will also act as the qualification and permit committee. Mr Bridge is the delegate to the Country Rugby League and he will be joined by Mr Henry and Mr Blissett as delegates to the East Coast Dolphins.
Ian Andrews was appointed to the management committee and other members will be added later.
Meanwhile, the 2015 season will kick off on Saturday, March 14, at the Port Macquarie Regional Stadium and Sunday, March 15, at Tumcurry with the XX Trophies pre-season competition.
A draw submitted by Barrie Smith was adopted at the annual meeting held at the Wingham Services Club as outlined in last Friday's Times.
Losing clubs from the opening round will play in the consolation finals on Saturday, March 21 with the shield competion on March 22. Old Bar will host the March 21 matches.
The season launch will be held at the Wingham Services Club on Friday, March 27, while the competition-proper will start on Saturday, April 11.
Forster-Tuncury is the only club to nominate for Sunday home games, however, Sunday football will feature every weekend to assist with referee numbers.
The Group Three grand final will be played on Sunday, August 30.
Group Three had factored playing the annual representative fixture against Group Two on Anzac Day, however, Group Two would prefer the match to be held on Saturday, May 2, in conjunction with the under 16 and 18 trials for the East Coast Dolphins.
"If that's the case we'll just swap the weeks around,'' Mr Bridge said.
The meeting also rejected an application by the Macleay Valley Mustangs to play in Group Three next year.
A secret ballot was conducted with the vote going against Macleay 15-5 with one informal.
The Kempsey-based club was represented by newly elected president Willy Lockwood and secretary Bruce Cain, along with a former president Mike Spalding and mayor of Kempsey Shire Council, Liz Campbell.
Mr Cain, Mr Spalding and Cr Campbell all addressed the meeting before the vote was taken.
The meeting also rejected an application from the Hastings League club Kendall Blues to enter a team in the under 18s next year.
The Blues said they have 25 players signed. However, the club wasn't represented at the meeting.
In other league news Bridge was beaten for the postion of chairman of the East Coast Dolphins at the annual meeting held at Coffs Harbour.
Brian Rix from the Northern Rivers Rugby League is the new chairman.
Scott Blanch was returned as president for his second term at the Wingham annual meeting.