Last Thursday, the NSW government gave the 'green light' to resume rugby training providing clubs adhere to the rules surrounding groups of 10 and all the guidelines within the public health order in NSW.

"Most clubs have re-booked their grounds and are preparing to start training once they've received council approval," MNC rugby Executive Officer, Bob Wilson, told the Argus.

"Councils have been positive and approachable and hopefully training's can be approved for all our clubs."

The return of restricted training is seen as a step towards the start of the 2020 Mid North Coast rugby competition but Wilson was realistic in his thoughts towards a return.

"When guidelines come through later and if clubs aren't allowed to have canteens or spectators, it'll be difficult to see us proceeding," he said.

Sign up here for a free weekly newsletter from the Macleay Argus.

"If they aren't allowed it will be hard to police and unfair on the clubs because they'll be unable to receive an income but we'll worry about that when the decision is made in the future."

Kempsey Cannonballs secretary, Brad Taylor, echoed the thoughts of Wilson in saying that clubs could be financially disadvantaged by a season restart, whilst parents may not be able to watch their children participate.

"There's so many questions in regards to legal issues, if you can't have a canteen or spectators, clubs are not going to make the money to sustain their running costs," he explained.

"Parents are going to be dropping their kids off, will they be able to watch from the stands, outside the fence or have to leave the ground completely?

Taylor added that recent tragedies in the Mid North Coast area will also play a role in whether some of their players can take to the field.

"We miss rugby terribly but we're just coming off the bush-fires and now COVID-19 so we're more concerned that our rugby community may struggle to have the ability to give up two nights for training and one full match day when they really need to be focusing on getting themselves back on their feet financially and work wise," he said.

"People want to play and be loyal to the club but they need to put themselves first, our priority is their physical and mental health."

Despite the concerns and issues, MNC rugby is preparing themselves for a season restart and will put plans in place if it goes ahead.

"We're waiting to go the next level when we can train as full teams in 15's and hopefully start the competition in July," Wilson said.

"If it goes ahead it'll be a low budget competition, with a recommendation that clubs cut costs where they can."