When the Saints won the inaugural edition of the under 21s competition there were six participants, but for the 2022 competition 11 clubs from across the Western region will do battle.

They have been split into three pools to help minimise the burden of travel, which means the Saints will face familiar foes Orange CYMS, Orange Hawks and Bathurst Panthers.

But the chance for Medlyn's side to meet teams from different Groups as the competition progresses is something the coach sees as an important step in aiding the develop of the talents who have a professional career in mind.

"It's awesome to see that growth not just for the competition, but country rugby league in general. Last year when we spoke about playing footy, it was an opportunity for those young boys who do want to take it further to play against different footballers," he said.

"Anywhere you go in country rugby league, you're playing different styles of footballers. They are they same rules, but you play against teams that like to move the ball, you play against teams that dominate the ruck, there are lots of different styles of football and to play in the NRL, you've got to be able to adjust and mould your game around all that sort of footy.

"So this is the best thing for it, you play Forbes and they're different to Dubbo CYMS and they're different to Hawks and there are different types of coaching. That's the most exciting thing about it, not playing that one brand of footy."

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While the returning clubs - Pat's, Dubbo CYMS, Orange CYMS, Dubbo Macquarie and Forbes Magpies - will all have different-look squads this season, Medlyn says that having played last year should be an advantage.

But he is also a fan of having a plate final introduced this season to allow some of those sides that miss out on the cup semis to still play for a trophy.

"The six teams that were originally in it, we sort of got a taste test of how it was done last year so we're prepared for what's coming. But there are going to be a few clubs where it's all new to them," he said.

"So it is good that there is something there to reward the teams that didn't quite get as far as the top teams. It gives all the guys something to get out of bed for.

"We'll just keep working hard and they results will take care of themselves, if we're good enough to be there, we'll be there. We've just got to keep working hard - the recipe is there, we've just got to learn how to cook."

The under 21s competition commences on the weekend of February 12-13.

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