GROUP 4 clubs will now have another month to prepare for the upcoming season after the season's start date was reverted back to May 4.
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The decision comes after Group 4 board members met on Monday to discuss the season's fixture and decided to begin the first grade competition on May 4, despite recently shifting the start to April 6.
A revised draw for the 2019 season has been ratified by the board and is expected to be sent out to clubs this week.
Group 4 chairman Ray McCoy said the season's draw had been a "work in progress".
"It hasn’t been easy with uneven numbers of teams and clubs across the four grades – first and second grade, under 18 and ladies league tag," McCoy said.
"It’s now gone to Peter Blom (public officer) for some Saturday, Sunday and Friday night venues to be added.
"But I'm more than happy with it."
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While the season's first grade competition will begin on May 4, second grade and the ladies league tag competitions will begin a week earlier on April 27.
As well as beginning a week earlier, both competitions will be shortened to help align lower grades with first grade throughout the season.
The earlier season start will see second grade and ladies league tag begin on the same weekend as as the Wests Tigers-Gold Coast Titans NRL match at Scully Park.
It is hoped some of the ladies league tag games could be played as curtain raisers to the match, pending approval from the NRL.
As it stands, Group 4 begins it season with a round of second grade games on April 27 and 28 including: Boggabri v South West Robins, Kootingal v Manilla, Gunnedah v Werris Creek and Barraba v North Tamworth.
The same weekend will also see ladies league tag games between: Boggabri v South West Robins, Dungowan v Narrabri, Kootingal v Manilla, Gunnedah v Werris Creek and Barraba v North Tamworth.
The first round of the season proper will see first grade games between Kootingal and Dungowan (for the Pepperell Shield), Werris Creek v North Tamworth and Narrabri v Boggabri.
The Gunnedah Bulldogs will have a bye in round one.
McCoy said the board was looking forward to an exciting season ahead.
"We’re all set and ready to go," he said.
