Only one grade will take the field in Glen Innes this Saturday for the start of the New England Rugby Union competition.
With the Barbarians withdrawing from the second grade competition, the Elks will face just their third grade team at home.
Traditionally sporadic trainers, club president Ben Emery said the Elks have stepped it up this season.
"There is a lot of emphasis going into attendance so at a club level we are doing a lot of work in trying to build a culture," he said.
"A new coach is giving us a hand with a lot of stuff and he is highly experienced in his career and giving us a hand in breaking it down to the basics, getting a lot of the ball-work right, a lot of the footwork right.
"He has been giving us a good hand over the last few trainings and he is really, really keen to come on board and even break it down to a clubmanship level.
"Training and skills were our biggest let down last year but with the work we are doing now, we are really excited to get out on the pitch and show what the Glen Innes Elks are really about."
While they only have third grade for round one, Emery said it works in their favour.
"We are carrying a couple of pre-season injuries so far but we are still fairly well up to strength so looking forward to the weekend against a pretty good side so it should be a good challenge," he said.
"We will be able to play a few of our guys a little bit freely A few guys, our 9 and 10 combinations, are currently injured so we will try a few guys out and have a bit of fun."
Game time is not set yet but Emery estimates 12pm.
He said "everyone from Glen, they are welcome down to Elk Park on Saturday" and emphasised the work the club is doing on and off the field.
"We have got a few new things we are trialling, we are trying to upgrade the facilities and make it more inclusive and more appealing for people," he said.
"We have some hats on order, we have some shirts on sale to try and promote everything."
The Elks will be hosting a Sponsors Day in round five on May 22 against St Albert's College. They will be hosting a Ladies' Day in round 12 on July 24 against the Tamworth Magpies.
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
