Ask Group 11 chairman Bob Walsh what he was expecting from the Group 11 2020 a year ago and it's unlikely he would have come anywhere close to predicting the truth.
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The threat of COVID-19 barrelled down on the competition and forced all but a few junior clubs and Dubbo CYMS to buckle down and go into hibernation mode.
Now, heading into the summer months, things are looking a little brighter with the announcement that a hopefully returning Group 11 season next year will be bolstered by the presence of two NRL teams.
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"It will be a big boost for us, the trial games and the country-city games have all been very well supported," Walsh said.
"It'll be a great boost for Rugby League in Group 11 and the neighbouring towns will all come to support it, to get a great, grass-roots club like Souths and have them so keen and eager to come is great for us here in Group 11."
Walsh also said he was optimistic that the pathways with NSWRL for young and developing players would continue to widen through the region as the competition continues to develop in the coming years.
"That's our aim at the moment and one of our aims with the goal of making the Ron Massey cup a statewide competition, Dubbo CYMS is very keen to play in that after their taste of the football in the President's Cup this year."
"That's what it's all about, we want to spread as much love as we can across the region and give our players in the bush the opportunity to play with the players in the city as much as possible."
