Shut down before a ball was kicked with hope because of the global pandemic, North Coast Football has released details of its plans for 2020 and will deliver a season with the usual number of competition matches, but in a shorter period.

The start of the season will be in the first week of July, and the competition conclude in mid-October.

Before the rude COVID-19 awakening, competitions were due to start in March, April and May and conclude in September.

North Coast Football general manager Andrew Woodward told the Guardian that a draw for the new season should be finalised by next Friday.

He said extensive consultation with the clubs and players had indicated a strong preference to go ahead in 2020 with as many games as possible.

The majority of this year's competitions will have 14, 15 or 16 rounds of matches followed by a two-week final series. Some competitions will have mid-week matches.

In 2020, well over 4000 players will take to the pitches between Scotts Head and Iluka in nearly 300 teams.

As expected, team and player numbers in 2020 are fewer than in 2019 due to the social and economic impacts of the pandemic. But North Coast Football has worked with clubs, councils and other sporting organisations on scheduling to ensure as many people as possible can play on the maximum number of days possible.

Season snapshot

"The amount of work put in by clubs and government to get us to the position of playing a regular-season has been enormous," Mr Woodward said.

"The players have been training now for a few weeks and are itching to go. Football on the pitch in 2020 will be mostly no different to any other year.

"Off the pitch, there will be some commonsense arrangements on social distancing and hygiene, which we're all used to now.

"Importantly, parents, other family members and friends can attend matches.

"If you've been thinking of playing but haven't signed up yet, clubs are still taking registrations."

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