More than 6000 junior rugby league players from across Newcastle and the Hunter Valley will need to wait another week before starting their 2020 seasons with round one not going ahead.
The decision was made by Newcastle Junior Rugby League, Maitland District Junior Rugby, Group 21 Junior Rugby League and Hunter Valley Combined Competitions on Friday ahead of this weekend's long-awaited kick-off.
NSW Rugby League operations manager Bert Lowrie confirmed the move and it comes as the state government tightened restrictions amid the coronavirus crisis.
"They have made the decision to suspend the recommencement of their competitions for one week," Lowrie said.
Lowrie said NSWRL hadn't made a blanket call across the state, prefering to allow individual associations to make judgements based on their own circumstances.
"We respect the decisions made by all leagues and associations," he said.
NSW Health had recommended that only one parent or caregiver could attend games.
Earlier on Friday, NSWRL officials released a statement urging spectators to stay home and only essential personnel attend fixtures this weekend.
"It is really important that everyone in the rugby league family takes the advice of NSW Health on board and works with us to minimise the number of spectators at games and training," NSWRL boss Dave Trodden said.
"We are all very excited about the opportunity to returning to play this weekend but if we don't follow the advice of government and health officials we are putting the entire community at risk. I urge everyone to be patient and only attend if you have to."
Newcastle Rugby League chief executive officer Matt Harris said, in addition to previous COVID-19 protocols, this weekend's senior matches would likely be ticketed at the gate to help count the amount of people at each venue.
