The NSW Rugby League have announced the postponement for the planned July 18 start of community football competitions in south-western Sydney due to the current COVID-19 outbreak in the area.

The Group 6 competition in which several Highlands teams participate will now be delayed.

Read: The Group 6 Rugby League competition has been delayed until August 1

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Southern Highland Storm's president, Matthew Burke said it's a feeling of deja vu.

"Obviously it's quite disappointing," Burke said.

"We would have loved to be playing again. It's the same situation as last time where basically a week before we had our first hit out we had the pin pulled.

"At the end of the day, everyone's health and well-being is far more important than footy."

The Storm will be debuting this season, but with delays and restrictions placed before their first game, many new teams would have lost momentum.

Not for the Storm.

"As disappointing as this is, we're here for the long run," Burke said.

"If it takes us till August to be playing footy, so be it. Until then, training will be held as normal and we'll be preparing the team for August, so business as usual until then.

"Hopefully there's no more spikes in COVID cases and we'll be all good to go.

"The committee, the kids, the parents, we're all keen as to get out there and play.

"We've had such great camaraderie and interest within the club that it's renewed a spark in Rugby League in the Highlands.

"Everyone is keen as mustard to get us on the field this season, and if it's not, it will be next year. Any delay is making us more hungry. We're here for the long haul."

A bright spark for Highlands footy is the possibility of the mighty Robertson Spuddies having the opportunity to lace them up on July 18.

President for the Robertson Spuddies, Doug Tilley is in talks to try and get his club a game.

"At this stage we're finding out if we're playing this weekend," Tilley said.

"Because we are affiliated with Group 6, we're going through the protocols as we speak to see if we can come down the mountain and play at Jamberoo this Saturday (July 18).

"At this stage Robertson Spuddies are in the hunt to play this weekend. It's still wide open, but we're hoping we're on."

The Spuddies aren't getting down about the situation. Just being in a situation to play the game they love is good enough for the club right now.

"The delays are fine, we understand," Tilley said.

"We're just going along with what is instructed and listening. We didn't think there would be a season! It's all a bit hoping for the best at the moment. If we're put off again, it's out of our hands.

"We have 25 guys ready to play. We had a few players go on to do other things, but the boys are pretty easy going and they'll be happy if they just get to play some footy.

"So at this stage we're playing, but there are meetings being held to see if the games go ahead."

Mittagong Lions president, Matthew Aiken believes that safety is the highest of priorities right now.

"I've said it before, first and foremost is the well being and safety of our Lion's family and that sentiment extends to the wider community," Aiken said.

"We hold closely in our hearts anyone affected by this pandemic, so that said the season being delayed again really is just a bump in the road.

"We will turn it into a positive by resetting, hopefully get some footy in, have fun, but the bottom line is we will use this year as a platform to work off for next season.

"We're a resilient bunch here we aren't called the Lions for nothing."

Like all the clubs affected, committee members are putting in a lot of work right now and these delays can he disheartening, but being a Lion is in the blood and chore is not a word in their vocabulary.

"The committee knows I appreciate all the hard work they've put in and continue to put in," Aiken said.

"We all just love the joint so they'll be ok. Looking around we haven't got the most exciting lives so the footy club's a blessing.

"Hope they don't mind me saying that (laughs)."

Training is still being held and a good opportunity to keep skills sharp in case any updates come between now and August. No team is taking this as time off.

"There will be training as usual tonight so we just push on," Aiken said.

"I'm sure the delay flattens the vibe somewhat, but that's my job to lift spirits, and to get around the joint and remind them, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

"It will be 'down to the wire' with us. We won't buckle just yet, it ain't in our DNA."

NSWRL Chief Executive, David Trodden said the health and safety of participants, officials, spectators and the wider community remained the primary concern.

"The competitions for under 6s to A-grade in these areas are now delayed until August 1," Trodden said.

"The competitions affected are within the Wests Tigers Macarthur and Canterbury Districts and Group 6 Region.

"We have always maintained through this pandemic that we would remain flexible in our approach and fall in line with the most up-to-date information from the Government and health experts at that time."

The matches missed will be registered as a draw for both teams.

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