Rugby League will be eligible to return to the bush on July 18

Group 10 has been given the go-ahead to return on July 18.

On Wednesday, New South Wales Rugby League established a game-plan to kick-off all competition on July 18, pending the status of the NSW Public Health Order that's currently preventing winter sports from kicking off.

The order will be revised on June 29 and while there's a chance it could be extended into July, the feeling is that sports like rugby league will soon have the freedom to work their way back towards normality with the commencement of training and games.

Group 10 president Linore Zamparini said although the competition has plenty to take care of between now and July 18, the goal for him is to have clubs like the Mudgee Dragons back on the paddock as soon as they're allowed to be.

"We'll certainly be doing our best," Zamparini said.

"We're all here for rugby league and it'll be great to say we're kicking off on July 18. Everyone's been screaming out for it.

"But, being realistic, we've got to look at the finances of each club and how they'd operate moving forward."

The tough financial positions several clubs are currently in is due to the ongoing sponsorship problems as many major partners have had to cancel their commitments due their venues (pubs, clubs, cafes) closing down.

"A lot of these sponsors have been shut down for the last five weeks and there's no plan for them to open up any time soon. The clubs can't do it without sponsors," Zamparini said.

"We'll stay hopeful and take it to the meeting and take it to make a full decision."

Zamparini plans to put the proposed date to clubs this week so they can mull it over before an official meeting next week.

While there's hurdles to overcome for Group 10 and each club, the fact remains that rugby league has been given the go-ahead to resume. Hallelujah.