Cam Jones is set to lead CYMS into the Western under 21s pre-season competition as the green and golds will be the only Orange contingent to play in the six-team tournament.
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Also making up the numbers will be Dubbo Macquarie, Dubbo CYMS, Bathurst St Pat's, Forbes Magpies and Woodbridge.
After coaching the under the under 18s in the Group 10/11 winter competition in 2020, Jones will be at the helm again but might have to coach without the help of sensational forward Cody Kelso who's status remains up in the air.
Competition organiser Dallas Reeves expects the bracket to get underway on Saturday February 20 and was quick to confirm the primary objective of the competition.
"We want to retain players and encourage participation in senior footy," Reeves said.
"The drop off after under 18s is reasonably significant and that's because it's a big challenge to step from 18s to seniors... it's a lot more physical.
"It can be a bit daunting so for us, we're hoping we can make that transition a bit easier."
We're hoping we can make the transition a bit easier.
- Dallas Reeves.
The thoughts echoed those of Scott Campbell's as the Manildra veteran said the same thing in the wake of confirmation that'll lead the Woodbridge side into action.
The competition is set to run for five weeks and is unlikely to clash with any of the winter schedules.
"We're looking to play the grand final on Easter weekend or potentially leave it until the weekend after," he said.
"The only potential clash could be the Woodbridge competition which starts a bit earlier but we're hoping to avoid that."
Jones would still be ruing CYMS' early exit out of last year's under 18s competition as the green and golds bowed out in the finals against a red hot Dubbo side.
On the senior front, Daniel Mortimer kicked off training on Monday night as he looks to build on last year's knockout win.
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