The Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC) issued an open invitation to a Zoom meeting two weeks ago to discuss their plans to create a national B-League.

Sixty-three clubs, including a handful from Northern NSW, took part in the meeting, where the AAFC asked for expressions of interest and a $4000 contribution towards a National Second Division (NSD) Partner Group by last week.

AAFC director Christo Patsan said Edgeworth had been the only Hunter club to make the contribution and join the NSD Partner Group. Patsan said the AAFC will work closely with those clubs "to get into the finer detail and design of what we believe is a financially viable second division".

He said while the contribution does not guarantee inclusion in the second division, "the clubs who have gone into it, it puts them into the limelight".

"The good thing is Edgeworth have stuck their hand up to be one of the leading clubs," Patsan said.

"These are clubs who are doing this partly for their own good, but also for the greater good, and they are being genuine leaders.

"They are putting up some money without any guarantees, for the greater good of the game, so I take my hat off to them. It's a show of faith and a show of leadership.

"Given the history of football in the Hunter, we'd love to have a local team in it."

He said 26 clubs, representing all states but Western Australia, had joined the NSD Partner Group. Other clubs will not be excluded from the future league.

Edgeworth administrator Warren Mills was excited for the Eagles to be involved in the second-division plan.

"It's a great opportunity for Edgeworth Eagles and I think any clubperson in the Hunter would agree the gap between NPL and A-League, especially around here, is just too big for our best young players," Mills said. "To be involved in the B-League, I think it's a major obligation to our own club but also Hunter football to bridge that gap.

"We are about to advertise for a permanent part-time employee [as administrator].

"In seven weeks' time, our long overdue $1 million amenities building and carpark is all starting, so it's an exciting time for the club.

"We are very fortunate to have gained in-principle support from two major sponsors, and one of those is a major Hunter and Australian company.

"We've had to think outside the square a little bit to make it all come together.

"The costs are quite intense, and while I'm not suggesting we can compete with the Marconis and South Melbournes, I certainly believe there's a lot of great youth in the Hunter and this is exciting for them."