There will be a little extra spice to the Group 11 league tag derby next year after coach Kaitlyn Mason and a number of players made the switch from CYMS to Macquarie.
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Mason has been confirmed as co-coach of the Raidettes' team for next season alongside the returning Thomas Wilson.
Mason had been involved with CYMS for the past six years as a player and coach, winning premierships along the way, but she does have some history with Macquarie.
During the COVID-cancelled 2021 season the Group 10 under 18s league tag competition still went ahead and the Raidettes decided to nominate a team.
Mason coached that side and now she'll be back with the club for an entire season.
"I'm very excited. I'm looking forward to a great season a bit of a change," she said.
"With the juniors coming through the ranks there's a solid base to work from. Their development is good and I had a few of them when I helped out with the 18s last year so I'm looking forward getting them for more than a three-week pre-season."
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While Mason says she has "a lot of respect" for CYMS she's aware there will be plenty of hype around the derby next year as she's not alone in making the move from green and white side of the city to the blue half.
Tiffany Stanley, Kimberlee Gordon, Cassie Toomey, and Jinnara Tyson will also be making the switch to the Raidettes and will provide a welcome shot of experience.
While the Raidettes caught the eye at times during the 2021 season - one in which was ultimately cancelled due to COVID-19 - the side was a predominately younger one.
While they have lost a couple of players ahead of 2021 for reasons like moving to university, the CYMS quartet will compliment the next batch of juniors coming through.
"It will be really good," Wilson said.
"I don't know much about the girls coming across but it should be good and I'm looking forward to it. I was happy with the side we had already but some of these girls will be pretty good so we should be pretty competitive."
Last year was Wilson's first with the Macquarie side and he worked closely with Brian Furner in the top job.
The Raidettes were third behind CYMS and Parkes when the season was cancelled
"It was a really good team and I enjoyed it," Wilson added.
"There was some good players in a good environment and they had fun. They were willing to learn, which is the best bit."
Wilson is also keen to work with Mason, who has been replaced at CYMS by club stalwart Nick Wilson.
Mason admitted she wasn't on the market for long, as Macquarie came calling quickly.
"They were straight on to it," she laughed.
"They had been chasing me for a couple years and it's been a comfortable transition and we're straight back into it. Everyone has been welcoming so I'm excited to get stuck in and get started."
The league tag competition will remain in its existing Group 11 boundaries next season while Macquarie's first grade side and under 18s team compete in the western-wide Peter McDonald Premiership.
The Raidettes have, however, discussed trial-type matches against Group 10 teams during their bye weeks.
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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.
