The 2026 season will see the reintroduction of the Black Diamond Men’s Shield competition following a short hiatus.
During the Hunter Central Coast 2026 Planning Day held late last year, clubs unanimously voted in favour of reinstating a three-tier Men’s competition structure. The decision reflects a strong commitment across the region to strengthening participation pathways and overall competition depth.
The return of the Shield competition provides clubs with an important platform to introduce new players to the game, while also supporting retention by offering an appropriate and competitive environment for developing footballers.
The reintroduction marks another positive step forward for football across the Hunter Central Coast as the region continues to grow and evolve.
Port Stephens Power Coach Ben Frith said “it’s an important step in our development as a young club. While they showed competitiveness in the 2025 Plate competition, being able to play in a more even competition will do wonders for his side” Ben added “The shield competition will allow us to build consistency, develop our systems, and grow our player confidence.
The Men’s Sheild fixture is its final stages of consultation and is set to be released in the coming weeks.
The 2026 Black Diamond Sheild will commence April 11th.