In a Facebook post, the Gunnedah Netball Association described the decision to abandon the season as "harrowing" and one which was "not made lightly".

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The GNA's executive committee said that while this was not "an ideal outcome", the sport needed to be "mindful of the fact" that breaching the Public Health Act involved fines of up to $55,000.

It said: "There were many, many meetings and discussions as well as a lengthy consultation process involving numerous stakeholders and whilst it was a difficult decision, we believe it is the right one."

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The committee said the decision to pull the pin "centred around the guidelines, systems and protocols that need to be in place to ensure everyone's safety, health and well being is maintained".

The executive committee said it "fully supported and endorsed" the COVID-19 guidelines and protocols.

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"The issue in itself[,] though, is our ability to implement them as a small association, as well as police and monitor those guidelines at this time, and we simply don't have the resources to do that on a number of levels," it said.

It added: "This obviously raises questions about registrations and refunds and what this means moving forward. We again ask for people's patience in this regard."

The committee said it was working through the process with Netball NSW "as we speak".

"We don't have a definitive answer just yet but we have been assured this won't be an issue but the final details have not yet been sorted.

"Rest assured that we are moving through this process as quickly as possible but we can only move as fast as the information and direction from Netball NSW allows us.

"There is also the issue of the kids sports vouchers that need to be clarified also."

The GNA hopes to stage a summer twilight competition.