Woolnough and Kurt Hancock have returned as coaches of the Western Rams under 16s and under 18s sides respectively and the build-up to next season's Andrew Johns Cup and Laurie Daley Cup campaigns has already begun.

Extended Western squads were named this week following a successful cluster day involving a number of trial matches at Parkes on the weekend.

The cup competitions kick-off in February but preparations are well under way for the Rams, with a training day to be held at Wellington on Sunday before both teams go into camp at Lake Burrendong the following weekend.

"It is exciting," Woolnough said.

"I'm looking forward to it and there's a new bunch of kids coming through and after watching at Parkes on the weekend there's definitely some talent there."

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The under 16s squad is a completely new one for Woolnough as all of last season's team has moved on to the 18s.

That's part of the joy of the job for the experienced coach, as he gets to welcome new players to the Rams program and help mould them.

It's something Rams coach have done with great aplomb in recent years, with a host of former Western representatives now either playing in the NRL or plying their trade in the lower grades.

From last year's under 18s alone the likes of Braye Porter, Finnley Neilsen, Zac Williams, and Darcy Leadbitter are now taking part in pre-seasons with NRL clubs.

"There's a lot of kids who come in raw and if I can do a job and teach them a job about footy I'm happy, and if they go further than that it's great," Woolnough said.

"It's a great pathway, the Western Rams, and this is my fourth year and to see lots of kids down there is really good to see."

Five Dubbo-based players earned Western selection after the weekend at Parkes.

Cooper Ferrari was part of the under 18s squad last season and he's joined in the 2022 team by fellow Dubbo CYMS players Rory Madden and Josh Townsend while Tyrone Tattersall of the Macquarie Raiders also made the grade in the Laurie Daley Cup.

Jodan Porter of St John's - the younger brother of 2021 Laurie Daley Cup Player of the Year Braye Porter - was named in the under 16s team.

While still uncertain of exactly what he'll be working with come round one next year, Woolnough is excited by the potential of his squad.

"There's definitely some good footballers there. Some exceptional footballers, actually," he said.

Hopefully I can bring them together and we can work as a team and we can get deep into the semis and finals."

The Rams under 16s struggled during the 2021 campaign and missed out on a spot in the semis.

The season prior the competition couldn't be completed due to COVID-19 restrictions and the pandemic is still impacting things now, as the trial weekend went ahead later in the year than normal.

"It's very important," Woolnough said of the next two weekends.

"We've got a couple of trials in mid-January and due to COVID it's all crammed into a short period.

"We haven't got the time and luxury we've had in the last couple of years so it's a heavy schedule ahead of us."

The Rams start their campaigns at Wollongong on February 6 while they also play matches at Grenfell, Camden, Mudgee, and Gulgong.

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