The Bulls replace Port Stephens in an eight-team 2019-20 first grade competition which starts on October 12.

Cricket NSW Hunter cricket manager Gary Fisher said the first round of the competition could be deemed "Rival Round" with neighbouring clubs playing each other in a two-day fixture.

The pick of these fixtures looks to be the clash between traditional rivals City United and Northern Suburbs, with newcomers Tenambit Morpeth taking on cross town rivals Eastern Suburbs at their home ground Morpeth Oval.

Grand finalist Kurri Weston take on Western Suburbs at Coronation Oval and Raymond Terrace host Thornton in the other round one games.

It will be round seven, a two-day fixture from December 14, before last year's grand final combatants play each other.

The other draws will be released in the coming weeks but second grade will now be all one-day fixtures with 50 overs per innings. This will be a nine-team competition with the eight clubs from first grade contesting along with Port Stephens. The remaining grades will be all eight-team competitions.

Fisher said junior Cricket in the 16s Division 1 will start on October 12 and all remaining age groups will start on October 19.

"The 16s Division 1 competition this year will be a mixture of two-day cricket played across consecutive Saturdays with 50 overs per innings and T20 cricket played on a Friday evening with pink cricket balls which will add some spectacle and variety for players and spectators," Fisher said.

In the junior representative ranks, Maitland will host the under-13s Regional Sixers Conference from October 8-10.

Fisher said early indications in the junior club registration number indicated an increase on last year but it was not too late to register by either contacting your local club via Facebook or go to www.playcricket.com.au

"Clubs are still looking for players in particular in the five-nine years age bracket for their Junior Blasters and Master Blasters entry level programs," he said. "These programs are tailored to develop young players to acquire all the skills in all the key disciplines and modified games in a shortened time frame to ready them for junior cricket in the future."