For the first time clubs within the Western Rams Rugby League boundaries have been offered the chance to contest a pre-season under 21s competition.

Amongst the contenders are Dubbo Macquarie and Dubbo CYMS, as well as the Forbes Magpies, a combined Woodbridge side and the Orange CYMS and Bathurst St Pat's Group 10 teams.

"We were pretty happy with it. We opened up nominations in late November and had three or four teams locked in after the first couple of weeks and then we were able to extend that to six teams by the time we closed off noms on the 15^th of January," Dallas Reeves, Western's league and club support coordinator, said.

"I would have liked a few more, but six is probably a good starting block with the time frame we've got for the comp and allows us to build it up and see where we can grow it."

READ ALSO:

The competition will be played over five rounds before a one versus four, two versus three semi-finals day on March 27. The grand final will follow at a date yet to be determined.

"What we've been able to do is give every team two home games out of five and there'll be four double headers - there's one this weekend in Dubbo, there's one in round two in Dubbo, another one in Forbes and another one in Orange," Reeves said.

"We're just trying to do little things like that to make it a little bit more interesting."

Give its short-sharp format - games will be play on consecutive weekends - the new 21s competition is a good way for players who may not get to see time in first grade pre-season trials to prepare for their respective Group 10, Group 11 or Woodbridge Cup seasons.

For many who play it will be their first football in a year given COVID-19 forced the cancellation of senior Group 10, Group 11 and Woodbridge Cup competitions in 2021.

Reeves sees it as a way to encourage more players stay involved with the sport.

"We are basically using this as base for clubs, to try and help clubs strengthen predominantly their reserve grade teams for the 2021 season," Reeves explained.

"The aim is a few of those guys will stick on that would otherwise be lost to the game, guys that have come out of under 18s stick on and hopefully play some reggies and some will be looking at first grade as well.

"The clubs have been really receptive.

"It should be a good competition, it's something a bit different anyway so we'll just test the waters and see how it goes."

The season starts with the Saints' opener against Orange CYMS, which will kick-off at 6.45pm on Friday night at Jack Arrow Oval.

That will be followed by a Saturday double-header at Dubbo's Apex Oval with Dubbo Macquarie playing Woodbridge Cup at 4.45pm before Dubbo CYMS and Forbes Magpies do battle from 6.15pm.

Want to keep up to date with Dubbo sport? Sign up to our daily newsletter and breaking news alerts here: