Many familiar faces are back to don the black and white jersey again this year with pre-season training also attracting a number of new faces according to Magpies publicity officer Ben Lonergan.

“It is only very early days yet, but numbers at training so far have been very good for so early in the pre-season. All grades have started up training as of last week. There is a lot of new faces too which is great,” he said.

“Training is on Monday and Wednesday nights at 6pm until the touch season finishes. It will go back to the usual Tuesday, Thursday sessions at 6pm after the touch season.”

Lonergan added that the club is still accepting new players for those interested in playing league this year and though training has started players can sign up as late as the final week of pre-season.

“We are certainly accepting new players and will continue to do so right up until the season starts,” he said.

“Any new players wishing to have a game for the Magpies in 2015 are encouraged to come along to training.”

The focus has been on the improvement of fitness levels, with the increasing speed of the game requiring players to have as much endurance as possible, alongside having strength and skill. 

Lonergan said new first grade player coach Nick Ehsman, himself a former NSW cup player with the Sydney Roosters and Newtown Jets adding a few lighter elements into the session to keep the players motivated.

“Fitness has been the primary focus at training so far. Ehsy (captain-coach Nick Ehsman) has made sure there has been some fun thrown in there as well which is a just reward for the effort the boys have been putting in,” he said.

“Tim Penn also has the league-tag girls in training and numbers there have been positive as well.”

The club is hosting a golf day at the Glen Innes Golf Club on Saturday January 31 which according to Lonergan will act as a fundraiser and unofficial season launch for the Magpies.

“We decided to put on the day as a way to get everyone together early on in the pre-season to have some fun. I suppose you could say it is an unofficial season launch for us,” he said. 

“We are hoping for as many players and supporters to come along as possible. It doesn't matter if you are an experienced golfer or a first timer, the day is all about having fun and raising some money for the club. It will be a three-person ambrose kicking off a 9am, cost is $20 per person.”

“There will be some great prizes on offer on the day.”

The club is still looking to add more talent to a team which made the semi-finals last season in hopes of securing the group 19 premiership. 

“We are still in negotiations with a couple of big name recruits, but we are yet to finalise anything as of yet, hopefully that will be completed by next week,” Lonergan said.