With Rugby League NSW hopeful to see football return this season following evidence the coronavirus curve is flattening, competitions such as Group 20 are eagerly awaiting to see how they too could move forward.

The Hawks, like all other sporting organisations, have been benched for the time being, with Preston encouraging his players to still keep their general fitness up by running.

"It's hard without gyms being open ... all we can really suggest to them is going for a road run," Preston said.

There still is no certainty on if or when a Group 20 competition will take place this season.

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As a player, Preston said he'd love to take the field, but as a coach he said the health and safety of his players was paramount.

"If we were able to go ahead with some sort of format this year, I wouldn't be putting my players on the field without at least four weeks of training up their sleeve," he said.

"It's a duty of care thing.

"You wouldn't be able to just go straight back into playing. That's how injuries would happen."

COVID-19 and its restrictions did mean the Hawks had to send one of their recruits away with the season postponed.

The player, originally from New Zealand, is now staying with a relative in Brisbane and will be hoping to join up with the side once it is safe to do so.

The other issue Preston said needs addressing before a competition can go ahead is whether or not it will be to the detriment of clubs.

"Obviously with pubs and clubs being closed, they are big sponsors of footy clubs, so where will sponsorship be coming from?" Preston said.

"We don't want to see footy clubs struggling.

"I think you're going to also have to have spectators at the ground if we are going to be playing (when it's safe).

"That's how clubs survive by having those spectators there, coming through the gate, the canteen. All of that.

"I don't think you could have a competition without spectators. There's a lot to consider."