The competitions affected include NSW Cup, NSW women's premiership, Jersey Flegg, Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield, which were all suspended at the start of July.

This decision impacts numerous Group Seven talents such as Albion Park-Oak Flats's Josh Coric and Dylan Lucas, Kiama's Luke Chalker, Milton-Ulladulla's Sam McCann, former Mount Warrigal Koori Treigh Stewart (all NSW Cup), Warilla-Lake South's Sam Hooper, Callum Gromek and Blake Dowell - as well as Milton's Olivia Patterson, Meg Buchanan and Keele Browne, Stingrays of Shellharbour's Teagan Berry and Riley Scott, Park's Brittany Constable and Kaarla Cowan and Berry-Shoalhaven Heads' Josie Strong, who all play in the women's premiership.

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The NSW government last month extended the lockdown for the Greater Sydney Region, including Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour, to try and combat the rising COVID-19 outbreak.

"With the current public health order in force until at least August 28, and there understandably being no current NSW government-sanctioned roadmap out of the lockdown for sport, the board was left with little option but to cancel our major competitions," NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said.

"In reaching their decision, the board considered its obligation to provide participants with a safe environment to play sport.

"The NSW government's health advice, particularly the state of infection rates and vaccination rates, made it difficult to provide that environment in the immediate future.

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"The NSWRL thanks our participants, officials and volunteers for their contribution to our major competitions this season.

"We urge them to remain safe, adhere to the COVID-19 safe guidelines and we look forward to their return in 2022."

The NSWRL continues to work with the Office of Sport, NSW Health and other winter codes to form a position on community sport, with a decision expected on Monday, August 16.