The under-14s tournament has taken on more significance this year with Western Zone selectors keeping a close eye on all performances during the next three days.

Six teams will contest this season's Shield with defending champions Macquarie Valley taking on the Lachlan Lions, Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee and a Dubbo under-13s side.

The Macquarie side will face a tough task this time around with all but one of the sides no longer in the age group and competition co-ordinator Trevor Thomas believes the Lions can be the side to beat.

"I think Lachlan have a very good side, when they were in the under-12s they dominated the inter-council competition so it will be interesting to see if they've improved more," he said.

While Thomas admitted he was disappointed not to see more teams involved this year he was keen to see the players push for Western Zone selection.

With the selection criteria changing this season, the Max Shepherd Shield will give more players the chance to impress selectors.

Macquarie Valley and Lachlan Council have merged to form The Valleys and that side will take on Mitchell Council in December in a match the Western side will be chosen from.

Thomas confirmed players involved in the next few days would get a headstart in the battle for Western spots.

"With the new system for picking the Western Zone squad this year it's made this more important and gives the kids a chance to put their name up in lights and a good showing could really propel them into a lot of representative cricket and Western Zone consideration," he said.

"The Max Shepherd Shield is important because it will get selectors looking at players who perform well and they'll keep an eye on them from there.

"It gives the kids an opportunity to get some cricket under their belt before the season really begins and it can springboard them into some rep cricket."

The competition begins today at the Lady Cutler Ovals with the final to be played on Thursday.