So, with the first day of the reinvigorated BOIDC's opening round looming, you won't find many happier people in Bathurst that the Redbacks' veteran.

Willis was the Redbacks skipper in the BOIDC's final season before the two associations split and he had a promising squad starting to make an impact in the combined competition.

He was disappointed to see it scrapped, even though his side did go on to become the Bathurst association's most-dominant side in the following decade or so.

"[The BOIDC] main reason John Rudge and I have come back," he said.

"Redbacks were just starting to become competitive at the back end of the BOIDC. We had quite a few years taking our turn down the bottom but then we made the grand final in the second last year of it then got knocked out in the grand final qualifier in the final year.

"We were just starting to hit our straps and we thought it was a little bit disappointing to come back to Bathurst. The time in Bathurst was still amazing but I think it's cool to have this back."

He views the reinvigorated competition as a massive positive for junior development too.

"There might be speed bumps we try and clean up for future seasons but I think it's the right time to try something different," he said.

"It's not just cricket, but local sport in general, where we're seeing numbers in decline so hopefully this competition will give kids something to aim for and keep them around a few years longer than what they might have done otherwise."

Redbacks weren't far away from the top prize last season and Willis believes it provides a great platform for the team to build from.

"Everyone had written us off with six decent cricketers setting away, and we didn't set the bar very high," he said.

"But we won the one-day comp and to come up one game short of being in the grand final showed what our young guys could do and we're hoping they step up again.

"A couple of us old blokes coming back will hopefully help with a bit of game experience and management. Rudgey and I have to do our jobs, go out there to score runs and lead well."

Redbacks take on Rugby Union in the first round while Centrals and Orange City clash at Wade Park. Kinross take on CYMS at Riawena Oval while Cavaliers travel to Bathurst to take on St Pat's Old Boys and Centennials play City Colts.

The opening days of all five games start at 1.30pm.