But this year some of them still have another month to wait before their first trial match.

And while the competition proper doesn't start for another 10 weeks, Group 3 chief executive Mal Drury said there is no immediate plan to revisit an 18-round competition.

"Whether we have an 18-round competition is up to the clubs because we don't make decisions without consulting them first," he said.

"You try to find a balance that's good for them; we don't want clubs going by the wayside.

"We need a strong eight-team competition and if that's (a 14-round competition) the best way, that's the way we should be going."

Drury simply attributes a rare busy April schedule as the reason for a delayed start to the 2020 season.

"It's a combination of things," he said.

"Some players are playing somewhere every weekend in March; the under-16 Andrew Johns Cup and the under-18 Laurie Daley Cup are into their second week.

"Then the under-23 country championships are all going through March as well, so that was a major factor in starting late."

The later starting time has also bought Macleay Valley some time to finalise their plans for season 2020.

Drury was confident the competition would still feature eight clubs despite rumours swirling around the future of the Mustangs.

"We keep in consultation with Macleay Valley and they've got things on track and will have coaches and players; they're ready to go," he said.

Meanwhile, a meeting has been scheduled between North Coast delegates and the NSWRL in mid-March where a variety of items will be discussed.

One of those related to a way to address the dwindling interest in rugby league on the Mid-North Coast although Drury said it was a similar challenge facing a lot of other regions.

"We (the group) need something we can work with moving forward (and that) is trying to get a competition that's evenly spread," he said.

"It's hard to get a competition like what the NRL is trying to do with a salary cap which is clearly not happening; the strong clubs at the top will always be there and the teams down the bottom will always struggle.

"The same things will happen here while ever there is money involved; some clubs can't afford to throw it at players."

Drury felt a strong competition across the board would help with numbers through the gates.

"We'd like to see an eight-team competition (in Group 3) where everyone is competitive which would help clubs draw crowds," he said.

"It's human nature and the Australian way where if fans know their club is competitive each week they'll support them."

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