Former NRL players Brock Lamb, Pat Mata'utia, Sam Mataora and Sam Anderson are on board for Maitland's venture into the new President's Cup competition.
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The quartet will be joined by Pickers recruits such as Alex Langbridge and Chad O'Donnell while Knights lower graders Matt Soper-Lawler, Cooper Jenkins and Cal Burgess, who have all worn the black and white uniform previously, are also committed.
Maitland enter alongisde fellow regional outfits Dubbo CYMS and the Western NSW Rams while North Sydney Bears, Wentworthville Magpies, Glebe-Burwood Wolves and Hills District Bulls represent the state capital.
The seven-round competition, formed in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic, will be run by governing body NSW Rugby League with a grand final set for the weekend of September 26-27.
It comes with the Sydney-based Ron Massey Cup cancelled for 2020. Earlier this month Newcastle Rugby League announced there would be no top-tier premiership but amateur-only open grades.
Pickers coach Matt Lantry, who first expressed an interest in potentially playing Ron Massey Cup in May, described it as a "one-off" opportunity to "challenge" themselves and said players would take a pay cut.
Maitland president Frank Lawler said the club would still field sides in all of the alternate Newcastle RL competitions, including ladies league tag and under 19s.
