Five of the state's major sporting bodies have come to an agreement to ensure maximum participation across the remainder of winter and summer months.
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Sport was brought to its knees in March when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and winter codes are only now starting to get back on their feet.
Some competitions - like Group 10 rugby league - won't be going ahead in 2020 but many others will be completed in modified fashion.
Cricket NSW, NSW Rugby League, Football NSW, NSW Rugby Union and AFL NSW/ACT have agreed a clear split between the summer sport of cricket and the winter football codes for shared grounds and facilities.
It will also ensure those who are back into winter sports now will have the chance to play cricket in the summer.
The agreement seeks for all winter sporting competitions, those which would normally run from April until September, to completed by no later than October 11 this year.
The state's cricket seasons will then be completed prior to April 5 next year to ensure a smooth return to normal winter competitions next year.
The Central West AFL season is expected to finish on the last weekend of September, well before junior cricket matches would be played at George Park, while the format of any Central West Rugby Union seasons played this season are yet to be confirmed.
However, both CSU and Bathurst Bulldogs play on grounds which do not double as cricket venues in the summer.
Traditional changeover structures will return as the 2021 winter season rolls around.
The heads of the respective State Sporting Organisations (SSO), Lee Germon from Cricket NSW, Dave Trodden from NSW Rugby League, Paul Doorn from NSW Rugby Union, Stuart Hodge from Football NSW and Tiffany Robertson from AFL NSW/ACT welcomed the agreement.
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"This show of unity and collaboration comes during a period of dramatic impact for sport in our state," they said in a joint statement.
"In NSW, bush fires, smoke, heat and floods all contributed to a significant loss of cricket matches before COVID-19 forced the cancellation of most finals.
"Likewise, COVID-19 has cost the football codes up to half their seasons.
"We all know how important it is to our communities to be able to play sport at all ages and all levels. The intent of this agreement is that we want to provide the opportunity for girls and boys, women and men, to play the sport they love this season, whilst supporting the many volunteers who give so much to our respective community sporting clubs and associations.
"This agreement clearly puts community sport as the central focus of all the sporting codes.
"We collectively thank local councils, the sporting community and our incredible volunteers for their patience and ongoing support. We are committed to providing a safe and carefully managed environment - now let's all get back on the field and enjoy our sport."
