Dubbo CYMS' success in the Challenge Cup put the western area on the map for many people in the city and the upcoming Presidents Cup offers the chance to boost that reputation further.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Both CYMS and the Western Rams will be in action in the tournament, taking on a number of high profile metropolitan clubs as well as the Maitland Pickers.
While the Pickers play in the highly-regarded Newcastle competition, the action in the western area doesn't always get as much recognition.
But NSW Rugby League's general manager of football, Barrie-Jon Mather, said the quality of the game in these parts shot to prominence when CYMS played in two successive Challenge Cup finals, beating Guildford in the first edition in 2018.
"There was always the danger of going too Sydney-centric," he said of the cup.
"Everyone knows the strength of the Newcastle and Illawarra competitions but maybe sometimes they would forget about other regions.
"But the Challenge Cup put CYMS in high regard.
"I think the Challenge Cup probably surprised a few people with the quality of the country teams ... but now they've got their eyes opened so there should be a good battle and contest."
The Presidents Cup was announced last week and has sparked plenty of excitement since.
Both the CYMS and Rams squads are starting to come together, with new faces to line up for both.
CYMS has already confirmed former Cronulla Shark and Fiji international Jayson Bukuya has joined the club while Fishies product Bayden Searle is also back for the cup, having played for the Newcastle Knights at the NRL Nines earlier in the year.
Tony Pellow is another who will be in green and white after the COVID-19 pandemic ruined his plans to play in France this year.
There will also be some high-profile players in the Pickers squad, with former NRL players Brock Lamb, Pat Mata'utia, Sam Mataora and Sam Anderson all set to take part.
The Pickers are likely to be one of the three sides to take on CYMS at Apex Oval.
Each club will play three of the six matches at home, with a draft draw currently being reviewed before it is locked in later this week.
In that draft draw, CYMS starts its campaign on the road against the North Sydney Bears but does play host to the Rams on the weekend of July 25 and 26, the Pickers on the weekend of August 8 and 9, and the Wentworthville Magpies on August 29 or 30.
The Rams will host the Hills Bulls (July 18/19), the Glebe-Burwood Wolves (August 22/23), and the Bears (August 29/30).
The three Rams home games will be shared around the region.
"There's really a buzz around and everyone is excited," Mather said.
"There's decent games in the regional areas so it's not all Sydney. It's going to be a decent competition.
"It [Rams games] will be spread around the division so everyone has the chance to watch and take part."
Pending restrictions in place, Mather hopes to see all matches in the city and country well supported.
And if that's the case, and all the teams taking part provide positive feedback, the cup could be here to stay in some format.
"I hope so," Mather said of keeping it post-COVID.
"I think it's a really good initiative with metropolitan and country teams and there's the appetite for that.
"If people see it and the fans are there then we'll take a look at it."
- DUBBO CYMS DRAFT FIXTURES: North Sydney Bears (away, July 18/19), bye, Western Rams (home, August 1/2), Maitland Pickers (home, August 8/9), Glebe-Burwood Wolves (away, August 15/16), Wentworthville Magpies (home, August 22/23), Hills Bulls (away, August 29/30)
- WESTERN RAMS DRAFT FIXTURES: Hills Bulls (home, July 18/19), Wentworthville Magpies (away, July 25/26), Dubbo CYMS (away, August 1/2), bye, Maitland Pickers (away, August 15/16), Glebe-Burwood Wolves (home, August 22/23), North Sydney Bears (home, August 29/30)