The decision was made at a Newcastle RL board meeting on Thursday night.

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It comes after officials had held on recently hoping to resume competition with a condensed finals series, culminating in a decider at McDonald Jones Stadium on October 2.

However, the campaign is now officially over with no guarantee current public health orders for regional NSW won't be extended beyond September 10 and uncertainty about whether COVID-19 restrictions would ease enough for teams to take part in any more matches or even train together.

Player welfare was a major consideration, having no game time since at least August 1, along with financial impacts and health risks during the global pandemic.

The board voted unanimously to call off the rest of the season. This was supported by the majority of clubs.

Newcastle RL released a statement on Friday.

"Player welfare is paramount in our decision making and the risk of injury after such a long lay off is too high," Newcastle RL chairman John Crooks said.

"The possibility of restrictions being lifted to a level that would allow teams to have enough preparation time to play in the next few weeks is very low and with the highly contagious Delta variant the risk of transmission of the disease between players in close contact is also one we cannot take.

"This season has been one of the best in recent times and I want to congratulate all clubs and players on their performance, under the circumstances the efforts of all those involved in managing a club and team have been outstanding.

"Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League is proud of the efforts of all and look forward to next season which already looks extremely promising."

Maitland claimed the minor premiership this year with Cessnock, Central, Macquarie and Wests making up the top five.

But in terms of the main prize, without any play-offs going ahead the Newcastle RL honour roll will remain blank for 2021.

Newcastle RL run first grade, reserves and under 19s.

NSW Rugby League released a statement about Newcastle RL on Friday afternoon with head of football Robert Lowrie saying: "I thank all stakeholders for their tireless efforts in trying to get the Denton Engineering Cup back on the field but unfortunately it was no longer feasible".

Five community competitions were cancelled last month - Newcastle Hunter seniors as well as Newcastle, Maitland, Hunter Valley and Group 21 juniors.

Group 21 seniors have yet to make a final call as they await next week's update from the NSW government. Scone, Singleton, Aberdeen and Denman remain in contention for the major title.

Meanwhile, former South Sydney player Neville Hannah has died aged 84. He was part of the Newcastle representative team that defeated Great Britain in 1962.

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