Not only are the Bupa Aged Care Wodonga staff the only official entrants so far, but they’ve also enlisted some inside knowledge.

The all-female team consisting of Janet McIndoe, Merryn Ryan, Kristen Simpson, Michelle Cardwell and Jennifer Atkin will be coached by Border racing legend Ollie Cox and former St Kilda footballer Lindsay Cooke.

Cox and Cooke are roommates at the aged-care facility and hatched the plan to enter a team.

“We talked about it together and thought it was a great idea and a great way to support the club,” Cox said.

“(The nurses) didn’t need much persuasion at all. They’re a terrific bunch of people and I’m sure they’ll do a good job.”

In fact, Cox is so confident that he laid down a challenge to other aged care and hospital groups in the region.

“I want to issue a challenge to all the other nursing homes in the area to sign up a team and try and beat us,” he said.

Cooke, originally from Hamilton, played five games for St Kilda between 1957-58 while Cox trained horses for more than 50 years including three Wodonga Cups and several Melbourne winners.

The Wodonga and District life member said he might employ some of his old racehorse training tactics on the tug-of-war team.

“I was thinking of bringing the stock whip and I’ve got a cattle prod somewhere as well,” he joked.

If you think your workmates, sport team or family can beat the Bupa nurses, contact Wodonga general manager Brad Thomas on (02) 6056 1214.

Entry for a five-person team costs $100, which covers entry and reserved seating for 10 people.