COVID-19 had a major impact on last year and almost all competitions in the region were cancelled or modified.

We're hoping everyone can get out and safely enjoy playing or spectating this year and to get you excited for that, here's 21 big questions as we enter of 2021.

1. Can anyone stop RSL-Colts in the RSL-Whitney Cup?

"When it comes together it's going to be scary."

That's Colts captain Marty Jeffrey firing a warning to the rest of the RSL-Whitney Cup. The first grade leaders have only lost once this season but haven't yet played their best cricket. Also, Brad Cox barely played before Christmas due to harvest time on the farm. Colts' lineup was already looking imposing without him.

Macquarie's beaten Colts once this season and defending premiers CYMS can also reach another level but it's going to take something special to knock off the men in red.

2. Will Macquarie's signing spree result in a premiership?

The Macquarie Raiders' recruitment drive is a massive one leading into 2021. The new forward pack alone must surely strike some fear into opposition players and fans. There's captain-coach Alex Ronayne, Jack Kavanagh, Nick Harvey, Oliver Gordon, Rob Mafi, Clayton Couley, Richard Peckham, and more.

But it takes more than talent alone to win titles. Finding the best combinations and keeping everyone happy will be a real test for Ronayne in his first season as captain-coach and plenty of other Group 11 sides have made some handy additions as well.

3. Can the west produce a Country Championships winner?

There's been some great stories to come from the Western Racing Association Qualifier in the past (think Stoneyrise) and Dar Lunn's Not For Expert caused a shock when running third in one final but never has a horse entered the $500,000 Country Championships Final at Randwick as a real contender.

Could that change in 2021? We sure hope so. Many eyes will again be on Kody Nestor after he trained the quinella in last year's qualifier and he's got some very handy horses in his stables again heading into the 2021 series. Keep an eye on Cardiff, a highly regarded galloper that arrived in Dubbo last year but is yet to have a first start for Nestor.

4. Will Dubbo sides again dominate the Western Premier League?

The return of the Western Premier League was a real highlight of 2020 and the all-Dubbo final was a real spectacle.

Premiers Dubbo FC and minor premiers Macquarie United were the best two sides in the competition and there's no reason why they can't be there again this year. Orana Spurs had high hopes but missed the finals so will really be aiming up in 2021. There's a chance new sides could enter the competition and the Dubbo sides firmly have a target on their back. How they handle that will be one of the most intriguing parts of the 2021 season.

5. What progress will there be at the Dubbo sporting hub?

It was 2018 when a new sporting hub at Dubbo was first announced and high-profile dignitaries from a whole host of sports were in attendance raving about how good it was going to be.

There's been some issues since but things seem to be back on track and it was only recently when Premise, a company with a footprint in the Dubbo region, was appointed as the hub's designer.

It might not immediately look like what was originally promised but the sooner there's progress the better for athletes around the Dubbo region.

6. Can a strong crowd secure more NRL for Dubbo?

This is a big one. The South Sydney Rabbitohs are bringing their round 11 match against the Penrith Panthers to Apex Oval on May 23.

Souths has already said it's open to extending its deal with Dubbo beyond the initial two-year agreement but a lot does depend on the support the match gets.

So, it's up to us. This will be the first NRL match to be played in Dubbo and there's real hope the crowd can eclipse the 9627 who attended the 2014 City-Country Origin fixture at Apex.

7. Can the Dubbo Rhinos get back to winning ways?

Few teams in Dubbo have done it as tough as the Rhinos in recent times.

The Rhinos haven't won a Central West Rugby Union match since 2018 but there's plenty of hope heading into a new year.

The respected Doug Sandry is taking over as coach and he's keeping it simple.

"It's just about winning the next game of rugby," Sandry said after being appointed.

"That's why I'm doing it."

8. Can anyone stop Fusion Heat?

One of the very best sides in the region across any sport. Fusion Heat was tested in a big way this year but still managed to win a fourth successive Rawson Homes Premiership A Grade title.

There's always plenty of change each season with players heading off to university, swapping teams, or any other plethora of reason but Heat have been lucky to keep a strong core group on the court each year.

Other teams will be getting more determined and more desperate to defeat the powerhouse of Dubbo netball but regardless of how the side looks it's not going to come easy.

9. Can the Astley Cup make a successful return?

One of the biggest things about the Astley Cup being cancelled this year is there will be far less students who have experienced the tri-school competition taking part in 2021.

Will they have the same passion for the tournament and make it as special as we all know it can be? It's a bit of an ask but there's no doubt teachers in Dubbo, Orange, and Bathurst will be drumming into their students the importance of one of the most prestigious sporting competitions in our region.

10. Is this the year the Dubbo Demons men claim a premiership?

Every year there's so much belief and optimism within the Demons camp. They've known every season for the last few years there's been a team good enough to win the ADL Central West crown.

But each time they've fallen short and haven't even been able to reach the decider. There's real hope more players will be at the club this year and allow the Demons to field a side in the second tier competition as well.

That would be a huge boost for depth and create competition for spots, something that could help drive the Demons to new heights.

11. Will the region's best players represent the Western Rams?

Rep footy is returning to open age this year. It's great news for bush footy and means those who are over the age of 23 can still pull on a Group 11 or Western Rams jersey.

Western could potentially field an outstanding lineup. It would feature NRL experience as well as the best of a hugely talented group of players from around the region. A loaded Western side would surely give the likes of powerful Monaro and Illawarra a decent run for their money. It might be too much to think everyone would be fit and available but there's a real chance to further boost Western's standing in 2021.

12. Can LillyAnn Mason-Spice represent her country?

This might be a big ask but it's just exciting to think someone could go from playing club footy in Dubbo to the green and gold in 2021. And it's not out of the question.

A rising star in rugby, the Dubbo Kangaroos' Mason-Spice was already involved in a Wallaroos training camp late last year and that camp was designed to be the starting point for Australia's journey to the 2021 World Cup.

Mason-Spice doesn't have as much experience in the 15s format as she does in Sevens but she's getting there and being around camps like that are only going to help her get better. The electric outside back is really one to watch this year.

13. Will we see more features races contested in Dubbo?

This is something those involved in racing, pacing, and chasing have wanted for some time. But it could start to happen this year.

Dubbo Turf Club has already been in touch with Racing NSW plenty about bigger races here. Possibly even an Everest-style event where local businesses win slots in the race? There's a thought. Maybe something else for two-year-olds as well.

Those at Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club are also hoping for good news this year. There's the potential to have a meeting the same weekend as the NRL is in town in May and a marquee race could do a lot to attract the huge amount of people coming to town then to the track.

14. Will Dubbo Cycle Club riders push towards their Olympic dreams?

Dubbo can lay claim to the best cycling club in the country. That's a huge deal.

The likes of Megan Dunn and Andrew Taylor have ridden for their country in the past and there's a new wave approaching the senior grades now. Think Kurt Eather, Danny Barber, or Haylee Fuller. There's plenty more as well.

Barber said only recently the Olympics is his goal and there's no reason why he and others can't achieve it.

2021 in Tokyo might come a little soon but be sure to follow the results of these young riders in the next 12 months.

15. What impact will Jake Grace make in his return for Forbes?

You can't help but love Jake Grace. One of the real good blokes of bush footy.

After time away to focus on family and work and then the impact of COVID-19 we're left without seeing the inspirational Forbes back-rower on the park since 2018. He led the Magpies to the Group 11 premiership that year, like he did in 2016.

He's going to be back in 2021 in a huge boost for Forbes. It's Cameron Greenhalgh's last year as coach as well and you can bet the Magpies will want to send him out on a high. It's just one of the many storylines to look forward to in Group 11 this year.

16. What impact will Beau Robinson's departure have on the Roos?

Beau Robinson returned home to Dubbo with a huge amount of fanfare but he leaves the Dubbo Kangaroos having failed to win a senior premiership in his three years as director of coaching.

His experience and knowledge can't be argued against but the word from within the Roos was the mood around the club wasn't always as great as it could have been. Will the Roos again battle to make a grand final without the former Wallaby's backing or will we see some freedom and new ideas help return the Dubbo club to the summit in 2021?

17. How will Isaah Yeo handle going from the hunter to hunted?

Isaah Yeo's progress was one of the great moments for Dubbo in 2021. It gave the community a real buzz to see a local junior starring for a fantastic brilliant NRL side, getting named the NRL's Dally M Lock of the Year, and then representing NSW in State of Origin. It doesn't get much better.

But for the unassuming Yeo it all changes now. He's going to be regarded by everyone as one of the very best players in one of the very best teams in the competition. There's every chance he could be captain as well following the departure of James Tamou.

Everyone who has spoken to Yeo knows he's got a mature and sensible head on his shoulders but there's going to be a lot for the former St John's junior to deal with this year.

18. Can a Dubbo golfer perform well at the NSW Open?

Get around Lachy Jones in 2021. He and Dubbo Gold Club professional Craig Mears were both due to play in the NSW Regional Open Series event at their home course last year but it was cancelled because of COVID-19.

The series is now scheduled for early 2021 and the Dubbo leg is set to be played out in February.

The series will attract some of the state's best players, with top three in each of the regional events earning passage through to the NSW Open.

Young gun Jones has played at the NSW Open before but earning a ticket through at his home club, one which developed plenty and achieved a lot in recent times, would be a real highlight.

19. Will a new-look No. 1 Oval attract marquee cricket matches?

The hope was when No. 1 Oval was developed and the cricket field was improved there could be big matches coming our way.

There's been no news yet but it is only early days and COVID has made everything tricky.

But imagine a Women's Big Bash League played at No. 1. Maybe the Sixers with Dubbo's own Emma Hughes in the lineup. Or even a Big Bash League pre-season game or a NSW Premier Cricket first grade match from Sydney. Why can't we get the NSW Blues for a Sheffield Shield or one-day game?

There's plenty of options that can be looked at this year.

20. Will a combined western region competition be approved?

One of the biggest questions to be answered this year. If Group 11 and Group 10 merge it would be one of the biggest moments in rugby league in this region in decades.

Clubs from both competition are in favour of investigating it and there's currently a working committee looking into it and providing clubs with all the information they want and need. Expect there to be a vote in Group 11 and Group 10 in the middle or latter part of the year.

21. Will fans be allowed to see everything go ahead?

An obvious one. Things seemed so positive only a few weeks ago but cases stemming from the recent Sydney cluster continue to pop up and are a cause for concern.

Sport's not the biggest issue when it comes to public health and welfare but let's hope everyone does the right thing in the coming weeks and months and we can get back to some kind of normality.

Whether it's watching your son or daughter at the busy Lady Cutler soccer fields, or travelling around the region to take on a fierce rival or cheer on a horse you've had a little flutter on, let's hope everyone can safely and happily either participate in or watch on at sporting events around our region this year.