Manning Hockey officials believe there'll be five sides in division one women, with three from the Manning.

"That's the indication we're getting from the clubs,'' Manning hockey president Debbie Monck said.

The Manning men's teams will be defending champions Chatham, Tigers and Sharks. Last season Sharks and Wingham combined to form a side, however, Sharks will be stand-alone this year and have appointed Bailey Pitman as captain-coach.

Taking Point Thunder and newcomers Camden Haven Venom will represent the Hastings.

Defending premiers Town, grand finalists Chatham, Tigers and Sharks will be the Manning teams in division one women, with representation expected from Port Macquarie.

Team nominations close this week.

Manning Hockey's new season will start on April 6.

Related:

Hopes Hastings teams will return

Ms Monck said division one games will be played in Port Macquarie and Taree, however, this year the Hastings players will register with the Hastings association instead of Manning, as was the case in 2018. This will enable them to play representative hockey for the Hastings.

Ms Monck said it appears the nominations across all grades will be on par with last year.

"We have good numbers in the juniors and that's pleasing,'' she said.

Mrs Monck said at this stage the division one grand finals will be played in Taree in September. She added this was a contentious issue in negotiations between the Hastings and Manning associations.

"It was decided that as we have the better facilities here, with our clubhouse and turf fields, that the grand finals will be played in Taree,'' she said.

However, Ms Monck said should two Hastings men's sides qualify for the grand final, she would expect the match would switch to Port Macquarie.

"We'd ask the teams where they wanted to play and I guess they'd say Port,'' she said.

"And it's commonsense to play the game there if it involves two Hastings sides.''