After a club-wide meeting to discuss whether to contest a shortened SIRU season, a compromise was made.

While there won't be first or second grade side teams, the Steamers will field a third grade side to provide experience for the teenagers transitioning into open age rugby.

President Mick Raynes said it gives the club an opportunity to salvage something from the season.

"There's no guarantee the competition is going ahead, we're training with limited numbers and there's a lot of guesswork, so we just wanted to make a decision," he said.

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"We sat down to discuss what's the best thing we can get out of this year and we think the best we can do is foster the 16, 17 and 18-year-olds.

"There's a few restrictions on having them play second and first grade, but third grade tends to play under a slightly different set of rules.

"We'll have a few seasoned footballers running around beside them and the best we can hope for is having 10 kids who next year are good to play grade rugby.

"We've let SIRU know that's what we'll be doing and if other clubs get on board, so be it, if they don't, it's neither here nor there."

Raynes admitted added pressure on volunteers to ensure the club is following strict protocols to train and play was another factor.

The Steamers will also field a women's team, while a decision is yet to be made on a junior season.