The NSWRL last week gave the green light for competitions around the State to play from July 18. All had been in recess because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the news came as a surprise to Group Three. Earlier this month the group contacted clubs via e-mail to get thoughts on playing a competition this year, either as over two rounds or in an abbreviated form. It's understood six of the eight clubs were against playing football this year.

Port Macquarie Sharks president Dave Smith said his club won't be playing.

"Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see our players on the field. It'd help relieve a bit of stress if nothing else,'' he said.

However, he said it wouldn't be financially viable to run a competition starting in July.

"We couldn't play our players. We need money from our major sponsor and with the pubs shut that's now impossible. We won't be able to have crowds to our home games because of the restrictions so we couldn't run a bar or a canteen,'' he explained.

Mr Smith said the Sharks replied to an e-mail from Group Three earlier this month about the possibility of starting the competition this year. He said the club wasn't in favour.

"In good faith we then contacted all our sponsors and told them what's going on and that there wouldn't be any football this year,'' he said.

He admits he was surprised when the NSWRL released a statement last week indicating competitions around the State could resume on July 18.

"It costs us around $18,000 for insurance and registration and we can't pay that at the moment. Is the NSWRL going to step in and pay it for us?'' he asked

"And what's the comp going to look like? We're usually finished by mid-August, so would we play half a comp or go on into October or November.''

Wauchope coach Anthony Boyd said he can't see the competition starting.

"It's tough, but I think we'll have to postpone it until next year. That's the common sense thing to do,'' he said.

He said the costs involved with sponsorship and registration/insurance would be prohibitive, especially as the club's major sponsor has also been impacted.

"We don't want to ruin clubs financially,'' he said.

"I just can't see how we can play this year.''

Port City's Geoff Kelly said it would be impossible to play a competition this year.

As with the other clubs, he said finance would be the major stumbling block.

"Clubs would go broke,'' he said.

"If we didn't have to play players if might be different. But the reality is that we have to do that.''

He added that there could be problems with playing home games at the Port Macquarie Regional Stadium, particularly if the season went into October, as would happen if it was played over two rounds. The grand final for this year was originally scheduled for September 13.

"Council controls the regional stadium and if there's a prior booking for it then we wouldn't be able to play there,'' Mr Kelly pointed out.

"And if we were forced to play at a ground without a fence, then we wouldn't be able to charge a gate.

"There's just too many uncertainties about playing this year. I'd love to see football being played, but we're just going to have to wait until 2021''

Representatives from the four southern Group Three clubs, Forster-Tuncurry, Old Bar, Taree City and Wingham also had reservations about the season going ahead this year.

Group Three chairman Wayne Bridge also expressed misgivings, although he stressed the final decision would be up to the clubs.

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