It was not too long ago when Ben Williams noticed a problem with the St John's and Dubbo CYMS clubs.
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It was a good problem, but a problem nonetheless.
St John's had close to 350 juniors registered last season, creating more than one side in the majority of the Dubbo and District Junior Rugby League competition.
If that trend was to continue Williams knew it would be an issue when multiple under 16s sides finished their time in junior footy and progressed to CYMS' under 18s outfit in the Group 11 competition.
So the idea for the CYMS Marlins was born.
A second CYMS under 18s side which would allow more players to enjoy more minutes on the field.
The plan was to play the Marlins in the Castlereagh League's Youth League competition but the coronavirus pandemic has put the push, like so many aspects of life, on hold.
"There's a botteneck with the amount of kids at St John's," Williams, who's been involved with the club for a number of years, said.
"The move from the 16s to 18s can be challenging and it can be harder to get a crack with a side.
"It's our job as a club, and CYMS included, to keep people in the game. If they keep playing through to when they've finished year 12 they're more likely to stay involved wherever they go and that's good for rugby league."
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But, should play go ahead this year, it's not a done deal.
The Castlereagh League is eager to have the Marlins in any competition this year but Group 11 president Bob Walsh confirmed a vote on the matter likely to decide the move at an upcoming meeting.
Williams admitted there were some "sceptics" and some have suggested the juniors finishing in the under 16s at St John's should move to other Group 11 clubs who often battle for junior numbers.
But it's not a simple as telling young players to go to another club, according to Williams.
"It's been spoken about openly and there's been an honest discussion in the club. Ninety-nine percent of the kids are from St John's and have played there most of their life," he said.
"St John's and CYMS have different executives and are different clubs but there's a natural progression there and it's where the kids want to go.
"They want to play with their mates and they go and watch CYMS and the see St John's kids like Matt Burton who've been lucky enough to go further. They see their uncles, brothers, and friends there, too.
"It's like South Dubbo Raiders going to Macquarie. The kids are comfortable and happy in that environment and that's what we want them to be. The kids need to be happy in the environment."
St John's and CYMS have been sure to create any major advantages for themselves in the proposal as well.
Not all players in the two 18s sides would be able to move and back and forth, with the Group 11 outfit seen as the top grade side of the pair.
There would be dual registrations meaning players could move between the side but there are restrictions which would be in place.
The registrations on game day in Group 11 mean no more than 25 players would sign on, as is the case for every other club.
Williams added, as an example, if there were 35 players who signed on to play at the start of the season the top 10 would only be allowed to play in Group 11.
They would be the Western Rams representatives or players who are already pushing to move up into the Fishies first grade outfit.
It would put an end to some kids getting what Williams referred to as "a few token minutes on the wing" each game, something which happened at CYMS last year.
"We don't want this to just be a one-year pop-gun approach," he said.
"My youngest is in the under eights and he can finish in the under 16s knowing he can play for the Marlins or if he's good enough he can make the under 18s side in Group 11.
"It's just all about giving kids more footy."
Many competitions around the state battle for numbers in the under 18s age group and Williams is adamant this not only helps those who are involved with St John's and CYMS, but all those in the Castlereagh League as well.
Of the nine clubs which were part of the Castlereagh League competition last year only four fielded junior sides.
"They're smaller population towns and there's only four or five Youth League sides and the kids there are keen because they were only getting a game once every few weeks because there were so many byes," he said.
"It's a good opportunity to develop these kids and keep them playing and giving these Castlereagh kids more footy."