No official announcement has yet been made but the Newcastle Herald understands an email was circulated recently indicating the Rebels are part of the 2023 tournament.

Knockout matches are slated for the month of March, prior to regular club competitions kicking off, with Newcastle likely up against neighbours Central Coast in round one.

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The Rebels last played a NSW Country Championships in 2017, going down in what was an under-23 final, and claimed the men's senior title in 2016.

Newcastle RL changed affiliation from Country RL to NSWRL before the 2019 merger of the state bodies.

They played friendlies against Ron Massey Cup outfits in 2018 and 2019. Daniel Abraham coached this year's Rebels program, a one-off game down in Canberra after Illawarra withdrew from the second.

* NEXT season's Newcastle RL competition structure still remains up in the air, but meetings planned with NSWRL officials after this weekend's decider may help finalise proceedings.

The Northern Hawks are in the mix to become the 11^th team in first grade, but a promotion bid hangs in the balance for a second straight year.

* THE Newcastle RL trophy won't be the only thing up for grabs this weekend, with the respective mayors of Maitland (Pickers) and Lake Macquarie (Scorpions) vowing to fly the flag of the 2022 premiers for a week after Sunday's grand final.

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