Kurt Warden moved up through the junior ranks of the Sharks before making a big move, to Brisbane, where he played with the Broncos juniors before a knee injury set him back.

Now back in Nelson Bay, Warden has joined the Sharks and hopes to use the season as a stepping stone back into the NRL.

"I've wanted to come back for a while now," Warden said.

"I just had to give myself, my knee, a bit longer."

Warden also plays in the Newcastle Knight's under-20s team.

The Sharks will be led by Peter Walsh and Rick Astorini next year, who were voted in as president and vice-president respectively at the club's annual general meeting on November 10.

Deb Feenan, who became the Sharks first female president last year, stepped down to secretary.

The club is still searching for a treasurer.

Astorini said the club was trying to get as many past junior players as it could back to play seniors.

"We want to see the crowds come back," he said.

"By having more local talent, the crowd, the people, will come back."

He added that all Sharks home games would be at Tomaree Oval, which would hopefully attract spectators as they did not have to travel far to see the teams play.

■ Volunteers and players are still being sought. Contact Walsh on 0408 822 183 or Astorini on 0418 631 401 to sign up.