After having only four teams in 2019 - CSU Mungoes, Lithgow Bears, Orange Barbarians and Portland Colts - the competition expanded with the inclusion of Cargo Blue Heelers (for 2020 only), Kandos Waratahs, Oberon Tigers and Orange United Warriors, however, Portland withdrew due to the pandemic for a total of seven teams.

Blackheath Blackcats were also hoping to participate this year, however, a lack of numbers due to the pandemic restricted them, while a push to revive Lithgow Shamrocks was knocked back.

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While he's only heard whispers and rumours of who might be interested in joining the Mid West ranks in 2021, Booth is keen to welcome more clubs into the fold.

"Obviously from a competition's point of view, more teams the better," he said.

"I haven't heard anything about teams withdrawing. As far as I know, the six leftover teams are ready to go and from my understanding, Portland are definitely keen to get a team again and hopefully we can do what we can to have Blackheath get one.

"There has been whispers of other teams. I know someone said something about Wallerawang firing up again. I don't know anything else apart from whispers. There's talks every year of Villages trying to put a side together but there's always talk this time of year.

"It's a bit early to have solid details but the one thing that is clear the more teams is better as far as we're concerned."

Both Villages United (a team that represented the small villages and communities around Bathurst) and Wallerawang Warriors have not participated in the Mid West Cup since 2017, the same year the latter won the grand final.

Numbers have also fluctuated in recent years, with nine in 2016, seven in 2017, six in 2018, four in 2019 and seven in 2020.

Booth said anywhere between eight to nine teams would be "outstanding" for the competition, but he would like teams to be more sustainable heading into the future.

"You get teams coming in and then dropping out," he said.

"You take Blackheath for example, they won the competition and then had to drop out.

"Second division tends to have that influx of players into the comp for a year or two and then they go back to Group 10 or retire but sustainability is something clubs need to look at."