"The Board of Football NSW agreed to a recommendation put forward by representatives of the NSW Premier League Standing Committee to align the league season to the spring/summer period," said the NSW federation in a press statement today.

It's believed that the federation received unanimous backing by all but one club in the league but some clubs are still anxious that they will lose players to the NYL and even the A-League.

As for the players, it means a year to wait until they play again. How that will affect them remains unclear but it's known that some players are not impressed with this one-year hiatus.

Some may be able to play in the NSW super league - which now becomes the elite state competition in winter - or some may choose to head interstate to play in the much stronger VPL.

This could provide a boon for the Victorian competition which is already considered as strong as NSW's premier league.

However, by playing in the same part of the year as the A-League, this historic decision might ruffle a few feathers at FFA HQ. And if A-League clubs need short-term players, how would the NSW clubs feel losing key players at various times of the season?

The NSW statement added: "In reaching the decision the Board took into account the two principle objectives articulated by the representations made from the NSW Premier League Standing Committee. Those objectives being;

1. To position and consolidate the NSW Premier League as the underpinning competition to the A-League and;

2. To ensure as best as possible the economic sustainability of the clubs participating in the NSW Premier League.

Both First Grade and Grade 20's will compete during the spring/summer period whilst the junior arm of NSW Premier League clubs (U13's, U14's, U15's, U16's and U18's) will operate during the traditional period.

There were several key principles that are attached to the alignment of the NSW Premier League move to the spring/summer period. They are;

1. The tradition of promotion and relegation between the NSW Premier League and NSW Super League is to be preserved.

2. There is to be no overlapping of the Competition match roster between the NSW Premier and NSW Super League.

3. NSW Premier League clubs will be required to participate in the McDonald's Cup competition and its successor competition.

4. There will be a need to review player regulations to ensure to integrity of the NSW Super League competition is maintained.

5. The club relegated from the NSW Premier League will be required to participate in the NSW Super League season which immediately follows the conclusion of the NSW Premier League season."