Dubbo CYMS president Kevin Walkom says it’s only natural for a club like his to set the bar a little higher each season.
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The Group 11 grand finals are still more than a week away but already the Fishies have three sides through to respective deciders.
The first grade side, after winning the past two premierships, capped off an unbeaten regular season with a convincing major semi-final win over Nyngan on Sunday, while the reserve grade side and Ladies League Tag outfit also won at that stage.
CYMS featuring in multiple grand finals each year has become the norm in recent times but Walkom said it’s more about each season rather than continual ongoing success.
“It’s very pleasing but we take it each season at a time,” he said.
“There’s no long term plan and at the start of each year the slate is wiped clean and new goals are set.
“It’s only natural that anyone for who appreciates a challenge, when you achieve success it’s only natural to look at your goals and that bar and set it a bit higher to see how far you can go.”
One of the most pleasing aspects for Walkom this year is the development of the League Tag side.
This year was marked the first time in the club’s history that there was a League Tag side and the Shane Madden and Gerry ‘Chicka’ Merritt outfit took the competition by storm and won the minor premiership.
“It’s great and we’ve got a good mix of ages in there and they all gelled well,” Walkom said.
“It’s a credit to Shane and ‘Chicka’ to bring them together and teach the skills and basic fundamentals and develop them to where they are now. It’s a very proud moment for the club.
“It’s a great achievement to have three of the four grades in and that reflects on the commitment of the playing groups, the coaches and their support staff.”
It marks the third time in the past four seasons CYMS will have three sides in action on grand final day but they are yet to record a historic trifecta. 2013 saw the club win under-18s and first grade but lose first to CYMS, while in 2014 it was the opposite with a first grade premiership sitting alongside grand final losses in the two lower grades.
“It (three titles) certainly would be (a proud moment) but we don’t count our chickens before they hatch,” Walkom said.
“The season is a ladder and each game is one rung at a time and now there’s only one rung left and it’s up to the players now to take it that next step and be premiers.”
The Fishies’ opponents will be decided on Sunday with the preliminary finals being played at Parkes.