That's the message from two of the Rams region's best young outfits following the debut season of the Western under 21s competition, one run in the pre-season before reaching a crescendo at Pride Park last Thursday night with a grand final between Bathurst St Pat's and Dubbo CYMS.

Six teams entered - St Pat's and Orange CYMS from Group 10, a combined Woodbridge Cup outfit plus Group 11 trio Dubbo CYMS, Forbes Magpies and Dubbo Macquarie.

In the end it was the Saints who finished on top, beating the Fishies 20-16 in the grand final.

St Pat's coach Tyson Medlyn felt the competition helped to showcase the sort of talent within in region and fulfilled the goal of getting players involved.

"With our Pat's boys I knew we had the talent out there somewhere, I knew we had a few boys who hadn't played in a while there. It was just all about us getting together, getting the players back and getting them keen again," he said.

"We did that, we are thankful we got to do it and we are thankful that all the other clubs got to get their boys together too. I'd love to see it continue."

Dubbo CYMS mentor Paul Yeo not only wants to see the 21s competition return, but he is hopeful more clubs from across the region will sign up.

"I think it will grow from here, we had six teams this time around but it will probably go to eight I reckon," he said.

"There are a couple of nibbles there from two other teams that want to have a run, so they'll probably push on now they've seen how much enjoyment the young fellas get out of it.

"That's the other thing too, this is keeping them in the sport."

Just as those two coaches gave the concept the thumbs up, so too did St Pat's captain and halfback Cooper Neilsen.

He was impressed by the quality of football produced by all the teams that competed.

"We had the tough loss against Forbes and Forbes are the same as Dubbo CYMS, they stay in the arm wrestle the whole time, they are gritty and they are a tough side and even Woodbridge Cup, hats off to them for putting a team together, they were unreal," he said.

"Orange CYMS as you could see in round one, they were a really tough side and even Dubbo Macquarie, we only beat them by four points in both games so that just goes to show the quality of footy for boys who are 21 and under, it's just going to carry on."

"It's a great concept," he said.

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