The club received the good news at the Group 3 annual meeting held at the Wingham Services Club on Sunday where the club received overwhelming support from the other clubs. No formal vote was taken as the mood in the meeting room was very much in the Mustangs favour.

The Mustangs were excluded from this year's competition after winning the 2014 premiership following a series of on-field and off-field indiscretions that saw them penalised by the group.

The penalties saw the Mustangs forfeit all their ‘criteria points’ which the clubs are awarded at the start of each season.

The club sent six representatives to the annual meeting on Sunday, including 2016 captain-coach Sam Howe and new club president Steve Moir who spoke briefly but persuasively to the room.

"It's been a hard year for the town and our committee,'' Mr Moir told the meeting.

Forster-Tuncurry secretary Lance Fletcher moved the Mustangs be accepted into the 2016 competition and this was seconded by Taree City president Mal Dixon.

"Thanks you for your support,” Mr Moir said after the decision was announced.

"We will do the right thing. We appreciate your support.''

Eight clubs will now contest the 2016 premiership which will consist of 18 competition rounds commencing on the weekend of April 2.

Group 3 executive positions were also open although there were no changes to the management team with president Wayne Bridge (Wingham), secretary/treasurer Barrie Smith (Cundletown), vice presidents Kevin Hardy (Taree) and Geoff Kelly (Port Macquarie) all returned unopposed.

Dave Henry (Port Macquarie), Warren Blissett (Forster-Tuncurry) and Ian Andrews (Taree) complete the management committee.