As the local sporting community filters back from holidays, the winter sports are announcing pre-season training across the region.

In Rugby League, the defending NRRRL Premiers, the Marist Brothers Rams, will start training on Thursday, 15 January at Crozier Field from 5:30pm.

Northern United will start their preseason campaign on Tuesday, 27 January at Clifford Park from 5:30pm.

The Dirawongs will welcome a host of new talent and coaching staff for the 2026 season, with Ronald Gordon taking the reins of First Grade and Club Head Coach. The U/18's will be coached by club stalwarts Alwyn Roberts and Willo James Snr. and Ashley Moran will take the Ladies Tackle side for 2026.

In Rugby Union, Lismore Rugby Union Club will kick start their campaign on Thursday, 15 January at Lismore Rugby Park from 6pm.

After taking out the Social competition at the Byron Bay 7's late last year, the SCU Gold Rats will be looking for a big season ahead, with the preseason training start date yet to be announced for the club. Training generally starts late in January for the Rats and will be conducted at the SCU Campus at Maurie Ryan Oval.

Various FNC Hockey clubs will commence training at the Goonellabah turf complex in late January, with a great junior initiative on offer for the kids.

The "Hook in 2 Hockey" program for 7–11-year-olds is a free program that will start on Tuesday, 10 February, for 8 weeks, and is a great way to learn the skills of the game. Sessions start at 4:45pm and run through to 6:00pm and all hockey equipment is supplied. For more information, go to the FNC Hockey social pages for registration information.

Lismore Netball have opened registrations for clubs, and a new club, Emeralds, will join the competition in 2026.

The LDNA Representative teams will resume training after the school holidays, for their respective State Age Championships in June and July.

And Football FNC clubs will also head back to the training paddock this month.

Lismore Thistles will kick off on Tuesday 13 January from 6pm, with Rovers, Goonellabah, South Lismore, Italo Stars and several other clubs yet to announce their resumption dates and times.

Football Far North Coast registrations open on 1 February for all clubs.

FNC Baseball will commence after the cricket season finishes and will start registrations and preseason training in the coming weeks.

Keep an eye on your clubs' websites and social media for more updates.