The NHRL has five divisions this season with A,B and C grade and southern and northern conferences.

NHRL administrator Dave Wild said grading was always a tough task but he hoped he achieved a balanced competition which would allow local derbies particularly at the conference level.

“Derbies are very important for the clubs as they are the biggest money earners for them,” he said.

“Obviously we had to grade on performances in the top three grades, but we’ve managed to reduce travel and increase derbies in the conferences.

Wild finalised the draw on Monday night and said every effort had been made to ensure club’s scheduling wishes were met.

The season kicks off on the weekend of April 28-29 and also features a two-tiered Ladies League Tag competition.

Maitland district clubs Maitland United, East Maitland, Morpeth and Woodberry have been graded in the southern conference, which also features Kotara, Wangi and Hexham Jets.

Hinton, Paterson River and Clarence Town are in the northern conference with Gloucester, Raymond Terrace, Karuah, Stroud and Tea Gardens.

Dungog and Kearsley are in B-grade with Stockton, Wallsend Maryland, University of Newcastle, West Wallsend, Mallabula and North Newcastle.

New team Aberglasslyn Ants are in C-grade with Abermain Hawks. The grade also includes Cardiff, Swansea, Glendale, Morriset, Windale and Awabakal.

Last year’s unbeaten premiers Aberglasslyn are in LLT A-grade along with Fingal Bay, Tea Gardens, Raymond Terrace, University of Newcastle, Dora Creek and Awabakal.

Maitland United are in LLT B-grade alongside Swansea, Wangi, Mallabula, Windale, West Wallsend and Stroud.

Wild said all grades except the southern conference and LLT A-grade, which had seven sides, featured eight teams.

He said finals would feature five teams over four weeks in each grade culminating in grand finals on September 15.

Newcastle RL teams including Maitland Pickers who ran teams in the NHRL have returned to the Newcastle RL after the open-age competition was reinstated.