This follows news this week that the NSWRL is aiming for a July 18 kickoff for senior and junior competitions across the State. All have been in recess due to the NSW Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020. This prevents sport from being conducted. It expires at midnight on June 29 2020 (unless further extended).

The Group Three season was initially to start on Saturday May 2 and conclude on Sunday September 13.

However, like all sport around the world, the coronavirus pandemic put paid to those plans.

Group Three executive Mal Drury has contacted the eight clubs via e-mail to get their thoughts on whether it is practical to start a competition this year.

"Everyone was of the same opinion, forget about 2020 and let's look to 2021,'' Group Three chairman Wayne Bridge said.

However, the decision by the NSWRL could change that, Mr Bridge added.

"At least we have a date in place for a possible start,'' he said.

Mr Bridge said the clubs were previously against playing an abbreviated competition. All sporting fields in the MidCoast area are also closed until the end of June, meaning Taree City, Wingham, Old Bar and Forster-Tuncurry would only have a fortnight to resume training before the start of the season.

He said there are financial factors to consider. Registration and insurance fees would cost each club $15,000.

"Unless the NSWRL was prepared to subsidise the costs, that would be a major problem for clubs,'' Mr Bridge pointed out.

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"All our clubs with the exception of Macleay have clubs or pubs as their major sponsors and I'd say those businesses would be among the last to open. Many other businesses that are minor sponsors of our clubs would also have been closed or had their revenue streams cut back, so they wouldn't be in a position to support a football club.''

However, he added, the final decision on the 2020 season would be made by the clubs.