While all sanctioned grassroots soccer competitions and associated training are currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, the organisation are taking a "business as usual approach" and focusing on ensuring they are ready to hit the ground running when they are given the all clear to resume.

That is at this stage April 14 as advised by Football Federation Australia during the week.

The ever-changing nature of the crises means that could be subject to change but aside from affecting club's preparations, the impact of the suspension, as it presently stands, has been minimal compared to some of the other major winter codes.

While the Johnson Cup has had to be rescheduled for July 11 and the Tamworth SAP Gala Day scheduled for March 29 pushed back to a date to be advised, at the end of the season, the premier, and local senior and junior competitions weren't set to kick-off until May 2.

NIF general manager Julia Farina said the decision to hold back the competition until May was made last year, mindful of the impact of the drought on the local sporting fields and of giving council time to get the fields ready.

READ ALSO: OVA out of FFA Cup as focus turns to reclaiming local glory

The structure of the premier competition has been the subject of much conjecture with the NIF having to disband with it's plans to introduce North and South conferences when five of the Armidale-based clubs decided to abandoned the organisation in favour of a rebel competition run by UNE Life.

They were hoping to have the draw finalised in the coming weeks but as a result of the suspension, team nominations have been extended until April 5.

Farina said they recognise that it is going to be tough for everyone in the community but are "very keen" to get the season kicked-off.

"We're in uncharted waters, every sport is," she said.

"We're very hopeful we can get on the field."

"We are all keen to get going".

READ MORE:

She said they held a teleconference with clubs during the week to "reiterate that is its business as usual".

"The biggest thing at the moment is keeping everyone informed," Farina said.

"We will know more as time progresses but at this stage we're just trying to keep people as informed as possible."

She said sport "will be back" and they "have to keep going".

"We can't drop the ball. That's the focus at the moment, not dropping the ball," Farina said.

"We're using this time to plan, prepare, think outside the square and not dropping the ball."

Information and updates are available on the Northern Inland Football website.

At this stage the Gunnedah Phyllis Grant Memorial 6 a-side Carnival on June 7, Inverell Junior Carnival (June 21), Tamworth Nations Cup (June 21), NIAS National Primary Games (June 18/19), Narrabri Junior Carnival (August 9), Moree Junior Carnival (August 16) and Gunnedah Junior Carnival (August 23) remain on until further notice.

Have your say, send a letter to the editor.