Association president Ian Doherty said that there was much to look forward to for both juniors and seniors, despite the current pandemic restrictions across the state.

"Planning for the 2021-22 season has been well under way for some time and we are pleased to say that we have had a really positive response to our junior competition since we opened up registrations in the first week of August," he said.

"In fact, already we have had more than 50 teams registered, which is a tremendous number and indicates to us that people are ready to get into outdoor exercise."

Doherty said that as an extra incentive this season, all junior players would be receiving a reversible playing singlet.

"This is a new initiative for our juniors and a great addition to young players in Nelson Bay."

Doherty said that senior competition registrations would open this week and that the association had already been receiving inquiries in the lead-up to the competition commencement.

The men's competition will be played on Thursday nights, ladies on Wednesday nights, mixed on Friday nights and juniors are on Wednesday afternoons.

"We are still scheduled to host the senior Hornets championships in the first week of November but once again that will depend on the NSW public health orders at the time. Originally, this tournament was set to be held on the weekend of September 18 and 19, but has been pushed back to November because of the lockdown."

Doherty said that things would be very different this year with regard to game/training days and ensuring all players and officials abide by the association's COVID-safe plan.

"Any new team or new player must udo so by using the player registration form on the club's website. To view fixtures and results use touchfootball.com.au/competitions when the competition has started."

Doherty said that work on the new clubhouse at Tomaree Sporting Complex was moving along very quickly.

"We are hoping for it to be completed for the Peter Wilson memorial tournament scheduled to be conducted in the first weekend of February, 2022."

A Port Stephens Council spokesperson said that the internal and external walls of the multi-purpose amenities building would be completed within the next fortnight, followed by structural steel including the roof frame.

"We expect construction to be complete in early 2022. COVID-19 has delayed supply of roof sheeting from Queensland."

We want to find the people in the Port's sporting community who deserve the spotlight. Whether it's a star athlete, a quiet achiever, a dedicated volunteer, we want to know who they are. In an email titled 'Sport Nomination', send the details including name, sport/club, a bit about the person you're nominating and a photo to portstephens@austcommunitymedia.com.au.