THEY are the faces that many have regularly seen around Port Macquarie-Hastings sports fields over the years.
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And now, Claire and Nathan Thurlow will take the reins at Port Macquarie senior oztag after president Greg Smith stepped aside.
The Thurlow's are synonymous with the oval-ball code with Claire having made several representative sides in oztag.
"We're a good team, Nathan will look after the on-field things and I'll do the administration role making sure referees and players are supported," she said.
"I won't be playing much unfortunately, but I'll still put my hand up for rep stuff and our priority is making sure everything is done really professionally and of a high standard.
"We know this is the home of touch football and we know we have amazing talent in this area and in this community."
After a 13-year involvement with the sport, Smith decided it was time to move on after the competition had grown to the point where it was too popular for one person to run it.
Pam Potts and Katrina Davis will oversee the whole product from Tamworth after forming the Northern Ranges division which incorporates Tamworth, Gunnedah and Port Macquarie.
The duo have run Tamworth oztag for more than 20 years and when Smith needed some help with the competition, it was the next logical step.
"We've been doing it a long time, but the main thing we wanted was to have local faces here running it," Potts said.
"Because Port Macquarie and all our little areas like Gunnedah are all a region now, it made sense to become Northern Ranges and with Tamworth and Port it'll be like a sister club."
Smith admitted while the growth of the competition had been impressive, they required referees to ensure the growth continues.
"Without strong referees you can't have a strong competition," he said.
"If there's no-one to ref, no one wants to ref their own games because it's too hard and the game is too quick so the biggest part of your growth has to be with your referees.
"Without them you don't have a game."
The Thurlow's first taste of administration will occur next Monday night when the code's COVID-comeback winter competition kicks off.
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