RUGBY League competitions across the region could resume in July, in line with the beginning of Term 3 of the school year.
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NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) announced on Wednesday competitions could start on July 18, under the state government's public health order, introduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, NSWRL said the decision would be further reviewed on June 1.
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"In line with most NSW winter sports, the NSWRL board has agreed to kick-off community football competitions from July 18, coinciding with the end of the next school holiday period and start of Term 3, while allowing a return to training on July 1," the statement read.
"The decision to kick-off a shortened community rugby league season and to re-start other abbreviated senior competitions will be further reviewed and confirmed by June 1 subject to the existing government advice available at the time."
The rugby league season was slated to begin on April 4, but the restrictions will mean every competition will have a shortened fixture.
"Competition formats and the length of the season will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis accordingly to the particular circumstances of each competition," the statement read.
"All clubs and leagues are encouraged to continue to take registrations beyond the traditional June 30 registration cut-off date."
Earlier this week, Group 4 floated the possibility of a "Top Eight Showdown" as the formatting of this season's competition.
The proposed format would pit each first-grade club against each other once, followed by an eight-team finals series.
NSWRL also announced no winners would be named for major representative competitions such as; the Canterbury Cup, Harold Matthews Cup, Andrew Johns Cup and Laurie Daley Cup.
NSWRL is expected to provide a formal update of the season's start date on June 1.
