HUNTER Wildfires are among 13 clubs invited to compete in the Sydney Shute Shield but must satisfy a number of criteria around player strength, budget and COVID-19 protocols for inclusion in the elite competition.
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The Wildfires and Penrith are in line to join the 11 existing clubs, who also must meet participation requirements, for the abbreviated competition set to start on July 25.
Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union (NHRU) will hold a zoom conference meeting with local club presidents on Thursday.
Discussing a return to rugby in the Hunter this season will be a priority, but the board is also keen to gauge support for the Shute Shield proposal.
NHRU general manager Andy Fairfull said the board - and clubs - would have to be satisfied that a return to the Sydney competition would improve the standard in the region, increase participation and be cost neutral.
The Wildfires would be an extension of the representative program, with players aligned to NHRU clubs. Wildfires coach Scott Coleman, who would stand down from his role at Hamilton, said interest from local players had had been strong and he was confident outsiders would be attracted to the region.
Under the Shute Shield participation agreement, clubs have to field teams in the top two grades and colts, which appears the biggest hurdle for the Wildfires.
The NHRU may request to supply first grade and colts this season, with a view to adding second grade from 2021 if, as expected, there is an influx of players to the area.
"It's one more team than we understood," Fairfull said. "That is one of the major issues we have to work through with the clubs. Is there a player drain or is there a net increase in players coming to the zone for a crack? The other factor is how much does it cost and how do we afford it? Budgets are between $40,000 and $60,000. The Hawthorne Club has pledged financial support and the feedback from potential sponsors has been positive."
Fairfull said framework would be designed, most likely in the form of a draft, to align new players to the region with a club to ensure an even spread.
"Another issue might be if clubs have spent money to bring players out, what happens if they get selected for Wildfires. If they are unavailable for their club for most of the season, does the Wildfires entity reimburse the club? We would need agreements around those type of things," he said.
Participation submission are due in June. Most Sydney clubs have back to training plans and are working in groups of up to 10 from this week.
Fairfull anticipated the major discussion point on the restart of the local competition would surround the viability of clubs if crowds are not permitted at games.
