Fresh from a successful rebirth of Mid North Coast Premier League hockey in 2017, local associations will continue to fine tune the product to improve the sport at "A-grade level" in 2019.
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This year, Port Macquarie, Taree and Camden Haven clubs will play for Mid North Coast bragging rights.
It comes after Port Macquarie-Hastings and Manning Hockey Associations made the decision to combine their top division competitions.
This season will see a regional champion crowned as Port Macquarie Thunder and Camden Haven Venom send male and female representative teams to play against Taree's best.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Hockey Association president Simon Thresher said top level teams will face off and a grand final could be held in either town depending on finals teams.
"Manning Valley have invited us to submit teams to their competition and will be kicking off on April 6 under their rules," he said.
"It's great for high level elite sports because we are trying to give kids and adults a chance to play locally at a top level instead of going elsewhere."
Thresher said a Mid North Coast Premier League concept had operated in the area in the past.
Last year, Port Macquarie sent a team to compete in the Manning league with varying levels of success.
Manning Hockey Association president Debbie Monck said the trial would begin from season start on April 6 and be reviewed at the end of the season.
"There will be an inter-association division one with Port teams registering through their association into the competition," she said.
"Hockey has been strong for ages but it goes through ebbs and flows.
"Manning has four teams in division one playing but it can be boring playing the same teams each week.
"Port is growing again and they have good players but not the amount within themselves, so it made sense to join them together."
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