This was announced at the group’s season launch held at the Wingham Services Club.

Ellem was a member of the side thrashed by Group Two last year. He has switched to Old Bar this season after previously playing with Wingham. Ellem has also been named in the Group Three All Stars side to meet the Group Three Indigenous team at Wauchope on April 7.

Former Wauchope premiership winning hooker Dean Hurrell will coach the group side for the first time. He said at the launch that he already has the majority of the side for the April 21 showdown settled. He indicated that players still eligible for the under 18.5 competition will be in line for selection.

Hurrell is a former North Coast representative, who has coached Comboyne in the Hastings League for the past two seasons. Shoulder injuries have curtailed his playing days.

He said he's looking forward to the challenge of coaching at representative level and said he is not paying any heed to last year’s result. Hurrell said he is also keen to coach the North Coast side. Traditionally, the winning coach from the group game is offered the North Coast position.

Lyn Eason will have charge of the group’s women’s league tag side. She has extensive experience as a player and coach with the Forster-Tuncurry and Old Bar clubs. Group Three was pushed to the limit by Group Two in last year’s clash after going into the game the strong favourites.

Eason said the quality of the two league tag teams playing in the All Stars/Indigenous match on Saturday April 7 at Wauchope indicates Group Three will field a formidable side for the clash against Group Two.

She is unaware if Country representative rugby league players Kylie Hilder and Holli Wheeler will be available for the league tag game. Both play in the NSW Women’s Rugby League competition with Newcastle.

Like Hurrell, Eason will be willing to coach North Coast should Group Three prevail in the encounter against Group Two.