For the 2009 season it was decided by Northern New South Wales Football (the governing body) to downsize the league once again to 8 teams in order to improve the quality and give local players a chance to enter the A-league through the competition.

An independent body, chaired by former NSW gaming minister Richard Face, was assigned to make the decision.

[2] For the 2017 to 2019 seasons, the competition expanded to 11 teams with Lake Macquarie promoted from the Northern NSW State League Division 1.

For the 2022 season the competition expanded to 11 teams with the inclusion of Cooks Hill United, promoted from the HIT Northern League One.

[4] From the 2023 season onwards, the competition expanded to 12 teams with the inclusion of New Lambton, promoted from the HIT Northern League One.