That was in addition to developing female participation in the sport, recruiting new faces in all age groups, promoting a better understanding and awareness of head knocks, and forging strong connections with other junior leagues and sponsors.

Part of the attraction was the acquisition of brand new playing strips - jumpers, shorts and socks - for every player. The total cost for the 300-plus playing strips would be in excess of $14,000.

"The players received new shorts and socks every year, but the jumpers are only replaced once every four to five years. It just so happened that we were due in 2020 and with the generous support of major sponsor Soldiers Point Bowling Club we placed our order with the manufacturer early in the year," Hill said.

"The jumpers arrived a fortnight ago and we are very happy with them ... the problem is we are not sure if we will get a start this season. They may have to be put away and relaunched next year.

"We were fortunate as a club that we had built our funds over many years to allow us to purchase the full outfits."

A board member of the Newcastle Rugby League, Hill says the decision on whether or not a Newcastle junior league competition would go ahead was in the hands of government and health authorities.

"The NSW Office of Sport and NSW Rugby League have provided us with a 'return to play' plan, flagging a return to training on July 1 and matches on July 18, but that could change.

"Of course there will be strict regulations around hygiene, physical distancing and crowd numbers which every club must adhere to. There has been no draw but if we get the green light we anticipate a nine week competition with a two-round final series."

Hill said facilities such as change rooms, toilets, showers and canteen would need to be cleaned and sanitised between each game, and there would be limits on how many matches a club could host at its home ground per day.

"There would be no shared drink bottles and it could mean we may have to split games over the weekend, hosting matches on Saturday and Sunday."

She hoped a decision would be made by the authorities in early June but in some more positive news for the Marlins club, a defibrillator unit has been installed at the club's Salamander sports complex function room.

"It was purchased for the club through a Port Stephens Council grant for which we are most grateful."

Longtime club sponsor Dan Ross has also donated a new 'Welcome to the Home of Nelson Bay Marlins' signs, which is expected to be unveiled for the club's first home game.