Like anyone involved in Dubbo CYMS, Paul Yeo is well aware there's a culture of success around the club.
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It's something everyone who wears the green and white is hugely proud of but Yeo is also aware the upcoming western-wide under 21s competition is about more than winning.
The 21s competition is a new initiative and will run as a pre-season program with the main goal of keeping players who may often leave the sport after the 18s involved.
CYMS recently started their pre-season training and Yeo has been pleased by the early signs, with roughly 20 players involved already.
"We'd love to win and that's the club culture but, and it can be a cliche, it's about giving everyone a go," Yeo said.
"And it's about giving everyone a crack and giving first grade coach Shawn Townsend a chance to have a look at them."
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Townsend has taken on the top job at the Fishies this season and has already indicated he won't be afraid to use the club's younger players in first grade.
Yeo is keen to see his players take their opportunity and has no doubt plenty can catch the eye of the first grade mentor ahead of the Group 11 season.
"If they improve in the next two or three months you couldn't rule out just about any of those 20 in first grade," he said.
The 21s season is expected to start in late February and will involve six clubs.
CYMS will be joined in the tournament by Dubbo rivals Macquarie, fellow Group 11 side Forbes, Group 10 duo Orange CYMS and Bathurst Panthers, and Woodbridge.
"It's a different crew because you've got some who are 17 and 18 then the 20 and 21-year-olds," Yeo said.
"I've never coached a (junior) side with such a range of ages but it's good because it gives those older ones the chance to show what they've got in the leadership department.
"The players who are around that 21 they have matured differently and they'll be a help."
Tom Stimpson is one of the older players in the squad who has already impressed Yeo while Jed McIntosh is another who is set to provide some leadership and experience.
Both have been around senior footy with CYMS in the past and have already been key in encouraging others to get involved with the 21s concept and get along to training.
Yeo has taken on the top job having been manager for CYMS junior sides in recent years and after being hugely impressed by the Western Youth League last year he's already impressed by the 21s concept.
"I just really hope it continues on," he said.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
