For the first time the Cockies will enter the season as defending premiers.

Gloucester won the club's maiden premiership last year when beating the Taree-based Manning River Ratz 17-10 in the grand final played at Taree.

Five sides will again contest the women's competition, however, there will be one change.

Old Bar Clams return to women's rugby for the first time in a number of seasons. However, Forster Tuncurry has withdrawn, citing a lack of numbers.

Last year Gloucester was linked with Old Bar in the draw. This year the Cockies will be paired with Forster Tuncurry, Mid North Coast Rugby president Steve Rees said.

North/South representative fixtures has been added to this year's Mid North Coast program. This will involve men's and women's teams from the Lower North Coast tackling sides from the Mid North Coast.

Gloucester players are expected to figure prominently in the women's 10. The women's game will be the traditional 15-a-side, even though 10s is played in the LNC and MNC competitions.

The games will be played at Coffs Harbour on Saturday, May 11. Mr Rees said there'll be no club rugby that day and said players will need a special dispensation from the zone if they don't want to be considered for selection.

While the northern competitions are generally considered to be stronger than the LNC, Mr Rees said the zone is confident two competitive southern sides will be named.

Dave Rees from the Ratz will coach the men's side. Chris Marchment, who guided Gloucester to the 10s premiership in 2023, has been named coach of the women's side, however, this had still to be confirmed at the time of writing.

As previously reported Daniel Proctor will coach Gloucester this year.

He has a broad range of rugby experience having played in semi-professional leagues in England, South Africa, and his homeland of Wales.