Central West Premier League Hockey women's premiership is an open affair

With the April 30 season openers drawing close, Riley is excited about the prospect of a competition which highlights the best hockey talents from across the Central West.

While Ex-Services have withdrawn from the women's competition and defending champions Orange CYMS have a very different-look playing roster for 2022, Riley is still eagerly anticipating what will be "a really open" title race.

"Pat's have a pretty strong 11 with some new girls coming in, two of them are playing at the under 18s state champs, so there's definitely some good talent coming through," she said.

"Bathurst City are getting better every year, they've been through a stage of rebuilding and I wouldn't be surprised if they are a lot closer than they have been the last couple of years.

"CYMS have lost of players and have got quite a young team, but they'll still be strong, United I think should not be underestimated at all, they seem to have a really good base now.

"Panthers, they'll be back with a vengeance as well, so it will be a really good year I reckon."

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In the men's competition defending premiers Lithgow Storm again shapes as the side to beat, Riley admitting "I think they'd be favourites".

They will compete alongside St Pat's, Orange Wanderers and Parkes, with a format change seeing only the top three advance to the final series.

Though the hopes of forming a Barbarians outfit with talents from across the Central West not currently associated with a Premier League Club, to join the men's draw did not come to fruition, Riley said they are not giving up on the concept.

"We've had a lot of interest in it, but not enough to form a team for this season. It is something that we'll look at from a development point of view, we'll keep working on it and hopefully maybe next season we'll have enough," she said.

"It's just to try and boost the numbers in men's hockey because we're losing players to other sports. There are a couple of guys from Kelso who are really keen to put a team together, so if we can assist them in doing that, we'll absolutely do what we can."

CWPLH has been working hard on increasing the profile of the league and attracted new sponsors Ben Hagney Electrical (women's league) and Group One Site Services (men's league).

"We're really trying to push that Central West element, we want to take a bit more pride in the players who are from out here," Riley said.

"We've got so many that play in Sydney on a Sunday, we've got a lot of representative players, to have so much talent in the Central West, that's something that's worth putting out there.

"I'm really excited actually, excited about the new branding we're going through."

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