"We are hopeful of better results than last year," he said. "We have invested heavily on attempting to change a culture that has been around for many years, with player welfare at the top of the list."
Fell added he was wary about the experience and challenge Ngongotaha would bring.
"It will be a baptism of fire but the players will give it their all and if we can play to our structures on attack and defend well then who knows what might happen," Fell said.
"Ngongotaha will be heavily favoured and not many will give us much hope but we will be out there giving it our best, and surely that's all you can ask."
Ngongotaha celebrated a strong season last year - promoted to the Premier 2 competition after the first round of play.
Ngongotaha head coach Jodie Wharekura stressed the importance of getting off to a strong start with the target of challenging for a top four spot in the second round of the season.
"That is our goal our campaign that starts this weekend. We have been training since October so we are really geared up for this game," Wharekura said.
"Kahukura is always a good clash, they have a lot of young players this year. While they will still be rather competitive I expect us to win the game quite easily. However that doesn't mean we will be taking them lightly as local matches always bring out the best in both opponents."
Wharekura added his team have worked hard on strategies in the preseason - a plan he aims to see pay off over the course of this campaign.
"This year we have employed quite a strategic game plan," he said. "Whilst we would like to play at the premier level we have a lot of players that have never played at that level. So when the game gets quite close and tight they tend to default back to the way they have been playing for the last five to 10 years.
"If they can stick to the systems we have installed over this pre-season since we have been training then we would be particularly happy."
Round two of the Baywide competition will include three divisions of eight teams including Premier 1 (teams ranked 1-8), Premier 2 (teams ranked 9-16) and Division1 (teams ranked 17-24). Ranking is based on the finishing order of Baywide Round 1.
Bay of Plenty rugby union Division 1 fixtures:
(Kick-off 2.45pm)
Saturday, March 25 - Week 1
Kahukura v Ngongotaha, Kuirau Park.
Marist St Michael's v Waikite, Marist Park.
Ruatoki v Papamoa, Tuhoe Park.
Te Teko v Waimana, Dunderdale Park.
Katikati v Opotiki, Moore Park.
Judea v Rangiuru, Maharaia Winiata Memorial Park.
