Group Three juniors prepare for July 18 kickoff

This follows an announcement last week from the NSW Rugby League that senior and junior competitions around the State were able to start kicking off in July.

"At this stage, we'll be playing a 10 round competition before the start of the semi-finals,'' Blissett explained.

This will take the competition into October when summer sports traditionally begin.

Mr Blissett said the group would play all semi-finals on Sundays to avoid a clash, which would be a first for the group.

Mr Blissett can't see this being a problem providing there's adequate notice given to clubs and parents.

He'll also be seeking a meeting with the Manning and Hastings junior cricket associations and Football Mid North Coast.

"We don't want to impact on other sports. They have a right to conduct their competitions,'' he said.

"We'll all work together to make this achievable.''

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However, he is against playing a first-past-the-post style competition for this season only, with no semi-finals.

"This would award the premiership to the side leading the point score at the end of the competition-proper," Blissett said.

"Anecdotally we've heard that parents are keen to pay money for new football boots and other gear just to play X amount of games.

"So we're going to do the best we can to give them a proper season, even if we are starting later than usual.''

At this stage, clubs will be given the green light to start training on June 30, allowing them a fortnight to make any preparations.

Blisset is more concerned with keeping young players keen and fit during the COVID-19 panic though.

"We need to give the kids something to do and get them off their backsides,'' he said.

"That's the important thing.''

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