"It is only delaying the inevitable," Northern Hawks club manager Andrew Chapman said.

"It's not a matter of if they will promote us, it's a matter of when. This decision only means that we'll be able to put even more infrastructure in place for the club and be even stronger by 2023."

With former NRL professional Brad Tighe back as head coach and ex-Newcastle Knights and Super Rugby League player Tyler Randell on board to play with the Hawks next year, even with its teams to remain in the Real NRL's lower grade competitions, there is a lot of excitement for the 2022 season.

Randell, who played for Kurri Kurri in 2021, said NSWRL's decision did not change his mind in joining the Hawks.

"It's not about winning games. The Northern Hawks are developing their own first graders and I want to be a part of that," he said.

"The Hunter area is screaming out for more rugby league development, especially in creating opportunities for talented players to develop in their own region, without having to move away, and pathways to playing professionally.

"This is what the Hawks are doing. They're developing the next generation of first graders right here in Port Stephens and creating opportunities for young men, many of them Indigenous, to take the next step towards playing in the NRL."

Tighe said Randell's rugby league experience and leadership would play an important role on the Hawks reserve grade team and club next season.

The Port Stephens Sharks and Newcastle Hawks, an inclusive club formed to promote playing opportunities in the Aboriginal community, merged at the start of 2021 to create the Northern Hawks.

In its first year, the Northern Hawks enjoyed a lot of success.

Its reserve grade team were minor premiers, even without playing any pre-season games.

The side was set to move into first grade next season but this was quashed when NSWRL announced in October that it would be conducting a review of competitions and pathways in the Newcastle, Hunter and the Central Coast regions.

The Hawks under-19 side was also not shy of a win last season but Chapman said the real success was the development of its young players.

"The successful side was built on youth, with 20 players under the age of 22 receiving berths during the course of the season. The Hawks' under-19 team also made the semi-finals, which were subsequently cancelled due to COVID restrictions," he said.

The Hawks also fielded an open A-Grade team in the community competition, which was "extremely competitive at the back end of the season".

Next season the Hawks will continue to play their home games at Tomaree's No. 1 sportsground but training will move to Lakeside in Raymond Terrace to provide a "more central location" for players.

The club is also exploring the possibility of adding a ladies tackle team to its ranks in 2022.

Expressions of interest are also sought for players, coaching and support staff for the ladies tackle team. Contact the Northern Hawks Rugby League Club on Facebook.

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