Swain arrived at the Tigers in 2005 and has only sat out two seasons since.

After missing out on Group 19's second division men's semi-finals this season, Swain is excited about the prospect of taking them further in whatever competition they enter next year.

"I am looking forward to the challenge," he said.

"I haven't one on one coached for a few years and I was looking forward to doing it eventually but I didn't think it would step in this early because I am still training myself mostly."

Swain takes over from Josh Clark who had previously held the captain-coaches role as well as the presidency and several other on and off-the-field positions.

"Really looking forward for him [Clark] to having less weight on his shoulders and really concentrate on his footy," Swain said.

"I believe he will be one of the biggest handfuls in the comp."

Uralla haven't decided whether they will play in Group 4 or Group 19 next year but regardless, Swain believes fitness is the key to success for them.

"I am going to concentrate on a really high level of fitness," he said.

"The boys that aren't going to cope with that fitness, they will be watching more than they will playing."

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Not only will fitness be a factor for 2020, Swain has recruited one of Group 19's most highly regarded rugby league brains to mentor the players.

"Clarrie Moran has put his hand up to help this year," he said.

"His experience and knowledge of the game will just be irreplaceable.

"Between him and I, we can mold our big three to how we want them.

"These guys that have seen him play before, of course they are going to listen to him.

"That's a huge asset for us."

The Tigers won't begin their official pre-season training until early 2020 but Swain is already looking at players to potentially turn out for the club.

"I have sourced players who haven't played for Uralla before in senior league, looking forward for them to come down and fit into our culture," he said.

"One is young and one is experienced, played a lot of first grade.

"My young fella also, he is back from boarding school, just waiting on his results.

"He played competitive rugby at school and he is looking forward to having a run with us."

Swain is also eager to lock in the key playing positions early in the year to give them some stability for the whole season.

"I am going to really concentrate on our big three - hooker, five-eighth and half," he said.

"I want to try and maintain those three. I would love Jack Doran to be our hooker, that is where his best position is. Kieran Stiff, in the halves and I don't know who else yet.

"With three of those fully fit and playing full minutes each game and getting combinations, that will be a huge part for us moving forward and winning games."

A handful of players from this year's squad are departing including workhorse backrower Duncan Elks.

"Unfortunately we haven't got Duncan Elks next year, he is going down to Walcha," Swain said.

"He has made his mind up, because he has got a couple of good mates down there.

"He is a man of his word and I take my hat off him and wish him all the best."

As for whether he will run around in a Tigers jersey again, Swain said he would "ideally, I would like to coach from the sideline" but "isn't quite ready to hang up the boots."

The Tigers are going to host a sign on day and training session, followed by lunch, from 11am at Woodville Oval on Saturday, December 7.