The competition is technically Hunter Central Coast's division of the New South Wales Australian Football League.

Visits from AFL executives to both the Newcastle and Central Coast took place during the 1999 season where they addressed meetings of delegates to look at alternatives to their contemporary competitions.

As there was no follow-up by the AFL both boards issued invitations to senior officials of all clubs to discuss the options for the future.

A meeting was held at Mt Penang, Kariong in October 1999 where it was decided to merge both leagues to create a stronger more balanced competition.

Further clubs have joined the league in recent years, including Muswellbrook Cats and The Entrance Bateau Bay both entering senior sides 2014.

Originally intending to start on April 4, the pandemic prevented football from going ahead in the region until July 18.

Although informal senior matches between Hunter-based clubs and Hunter-based junior competitions were able to continue, the uncertainty of the coronavirus outbreak across the Hunter region in early August eventually saw all Hunter community senior and junior competitions ceased for 2021.

However, a third men's competition was reintroduced in 2020, the Black Diamond Shield, which consists of the reserves sides of every club except Terrigal-Avoca, Newcastle City, Nelson Bay, Muswellbrook, The Entrance Bateau Bay, Lake Macquarie, Wallsend-West Newcastle and Port Stephens, who currently only field a senior women's team.

Singleton also had a Reserve Grade side competing in the 2021 Black Diamond Shield, but eventually pulled out of the competition after Round 3 after forfeiting their first two games for the year.

Due to coronavirus concerns in the Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook withdrew their women's and men's team after Round 5.

The NCCUA trains at the following locations, starting at 5:30 pm: Tuesdays – Lisarow Sports Ground, Lisarow Wednesdays – Tulkaba Park, Teralba The Newcastle Central Coast Umpires Association is led by president Jake Lowe, treasurer Ashley Borg, secretary, Tomas Steward and a committee of several umpires.