Howard said a number of issues needed to be resolved before clubs could commit to playing including the costs of competing and the limited opportunities to recoup those costs.

NHRU competitions had been scheduled to start on March 28, but this had been set back with all games and training postponed until May 2 because of the coronavirus epidemic.

General manager Andy Fairfull had been anticipating the delay due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, but remains hopeful of starting competitions on June 13, which would allow a full round to be completed.

"All the evidence suggested that the spread rates were going to be higher in early May then when it first shut down," Fairfull said. "From our perspective, we are drawing up a lot of different competition scenarios which get smaller and smaller as the delay goes on.

"Some of the coaches have said even if it got cut down to three or four weeks, it would be better to do something than nothing."

The ban includes training and if Rugby Australia gives the green light to start on June 1, clubs would have less than two weeks to prepare for round one.

Howard said due diligence to player safety would require at least two or three weeks of training to ensure players were conditioned for the rigours of the physical contact in playing rugby.

"There's all different scenarios being bandied around at the moment like some round-robin comps or some double-header weekends to try and get as much football as we can in.

"If we can get six to eight weeks of football in then it's probably doable, - a one-round competition but we need to look at our outgoings as well. If we've got to pay the same amount of costs then it is going to be hard if we haven't got the same amount of money coming in.

"We are a not for profit organisation and we live pretty much budgeted for games in, games out.

"Revenue in, revenue out and if there's not as much revenue in but the costs of actually playing footy are the same then its going to make it difficult.

"Hope to be consulted on all the different options and we've been in communication with them at the moment to make sure that happens rather than them just go 'this is how it is going to be'."

Howard said was minimising costs and continued to receive tremendous support from a number of sponsors.

We've been in contact with out sponsors just to say that obviously they are going through tough times themselves and we don't expect anything," he said.

"We've minimised our costs at Marcellin we're running on the smell of an oily rag at the moment but we do have some sponsors who are committing to their full sponsorship at the moment which is great.

"Sponsors like Titan and the Maitland Private Hospital, but other sponsors are obviously not in a position to make a contribution as they are closed like the Imperial Hotel. We are so grateful for their past support and will get behind them once they are able to re-open."

Howard said the club was stressing to all its members and players to stay in touch and support one another during the pandemic.

"The message is keep staying in touch with each other, look after each other and we'll just wait to hear from the powers to be on what we need to do," he said.

"There are great benefits from playing and being part of a team, but the mental health benefits are important as well. So as soon as we can get out and start running around together it is good for your mental health."