The Tigers will feature in a seven-team competition alongside Thirroul, Collegians, Dapto, Wests, Corrimal and newcomers Cronulla-Caringbah.

There are hopes an eighth club will be added before the 2022 season commences.

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Club president Dodge Cobb said the plan was always to return to the top flight next year, having weathered to COVID storm.

Helensburgh sat top of this year's first division table when the competition was abandoned and Cobb is confident they can translate that form to the top flight.

"The longer you're out, the harder it is to get back in," Cobb said.

"We had always only hoped to be out of it for one year. This was always our plan, we're just fulfilling our plan.

"The long-term plan was to be back in the top level, playing against our rivals in the Illawarra.

"Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and hope if you build it, they will come. I think we're going to be pretty healthy going into next season."

NSW Rugby League and Illawarra Rugby League have been working on plans to reinvigorate the first grade competition for much of the past two years.

The focus shifted to 2022 during the winter when it became clear the 2021 season would not resume after the COVID shutdown.

Illawarra Rugby League chairman Gerry Murphy has been working alongside NRL regional development manager Matt O'Brien to ensure the competition could grow from a period of hardship.

With two new clubs already locked in for next year, Murphy is optimistic the entire region will benefit from a competitive Illawarra Cup.

"It's going to throw more interest back in the area," Murphy said. "It's going to go from strength to strength now.

"It died off a little bit, the district was struggling with interest in the competition. This will create more interest, especially with Cronulla-Caringbah coming down.

"They haven't been involved with Illawarra at the senior level before. It'll test the waters for all the clubs."

So often divided, the Illawarra clubs have worked together to facilitate the return of Helensburgh and inclusion of Cronulla-Caringbah.

The Tigers will receive additional support from the NSWRL to ensure their long-term competitiveness.

Jason Raper and Chris Coleman have signed on to coach the side and all at the club are eager for the start of a new rivalry with their northern neighbours.

"We didn't pull the trigger lightly," Cobb said. "We had lots of in-depth talks, especially with NSWRL.

"They've come up with a support package that's helped us make our decision. They're going to support us any way they can.

"We're also really happy that Cronulla are coming into the competition. That's one of the things we were vocal about and was crucial for us coming back."

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