And he freely admits those 12 years have been tough - some campaigns it's been hard enough to score a try, let along jag a win as the stronger Sydney associations flexed their muscle.

But last week there was a buzz around Charlestown.

And Sutton says that noise coming out of the NSWPSSA under 11s championship was generated by his team.

In five pool games, Western enjoyed great results against South Coast (10-6) and Hunter (6-4) and had a 6-all draw with North Coast to qualify for the fifth-sixth play-off game, where Sutton's side lost 10-0 against MacKillip.

It was Western's best campaign in Sutton's decade-long association with the side and he couldn't have been prouder of the outfit, which this year included Molong Central School students Cody Peshka, Lachie Bohringer and Sam Foy as well as Orange Public School kids Sam Hill and Ravai Televu.

"We were pretty narrowly beaten by Sydney West and they went on to win the carnival," Sutton said looking at that 22-10 result against the eventual champions.

"To finish sixth, I think it's the best result in a number of years in under 11s. We were one game off the semis and finished as the best non-Sydney side.

"All the boys stood up and I'm so proud of them."

With kids from Lithgow to West Wyalong, Sutton ensured when the group got together for training it was worth the while, with some sessions lasting four hours.

He said that intensive exercise helped the team gel and combinations flourish.

A teacher at Glenroi Heights Public School, Sutton believes his side's preparation proved a difference-maker as they pushed towards a top four finish.

"We were from all over the shop but getting together for training was beneficial, the boys really bonded," he said.

"And the other thing was you see them at a trial and pick them in a position but get to training and see things differently, so moving a few of the boys around helped give us a lot of cohesion."

Sutton praised all 17 of this players: "In different games different players stood up," he added.