Both the men's and women's division one competitions will have just three teams. This follows the withdrawal of Port Thunder in the men and Camden Haven in the women. Tigers women have also pulled out of division one. Chatham, Tigers and Sharks will now contest division one men with Sharks, Chatham and Town in division one women.

Cougars had earlier pulled out of division three men and women while Tigers have also dropped out of division two men.

Manning Hockey president Debbie Monck said the loss of the teams is disappointing although not unexpected, given the late start to the season due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

"It's a bit unusual for Tigers to be losing teams because they're usually one of our stronger clubs,'' Ms Monck said.

Ms Monck added there's no suggestion of combining the men's division one and two competitions as there's too big a gulf in the standard. However, at the time of going to press the association's match committee was determining whether to merge the women's division one and two. Ms Monck assured the season would go ahead and will run until grand final day on Saturday September 26.

"We're trying to get a bit of normality back into life and give our members a game of hockey,'' she said.

"It's been such a rotten start to the year, so hopefully we can give people a bit of enjoyment. We think we can still run a viable competition.''

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On a positive note Ms Monck said the junior registrations have gone 'gangbusters.' There were concerns about team numbers for the under 15s, however, four sides have nominated. Under 13s, 11s, nines and sevens will also be played. The popular minkey program, for juniors aged five and under will also go ahead on Saturday mornings. While this year will be difficult Ms Monck is confident the game can bounce back.

"Next year we have the State men's masters here in June and the women's half State masters at the end of July. That's something for us to work towards,'' she said.