We've seen underdogs come up tops, come from behind wins and so many debutants that it's hard to keep count.

But rugby is about more than results on the field.

This week we decided to shake things up a bit, and have a sit down with Orange City's new club president Chris Whittaker to see how he has been coping with the top job and how he would like to see rugby in the Central West grow.

"I've got a huge amount of respect for Steve Stone because I now realise just how big the task is," Whittaker said of the man he replaced.

"I feel the comradery is alive and well in the Central West rugby comp because all the other presidents and clubs we've dealt with are happy to help you. It's been overwhelmingly positive and the people at Orange City have been great and jumped in."

And that is exactly what you want to hear isn't it? Rivals helping rivals. Well that was no more true than when one of City's junior sides had a match against Cowra.

"We were really struggling for numbers in our U16s and Emus had a bye on the weekend we played Cowra," Whittaker added.

"So Emus loaned us half a dozen boys that did a great job and worked in really well with the boys in our team. I think they might be mates and go to school together.

"Several guys down at Emus - Lee Cornish and Pete Roberts in particular - couldn't have done enough to help.

"That support piece is really strong and I think we'll continue to work well with each other and although we're rivals on the field, that's where it ends."

But while that is a heart-warming story of clubs coming together for the greater good, it does open up a can of worms, which is why is there this lack of participation at the youth level?

Whittaker, although new to the president role, knows what it is like to run a club and the challenges that come with that. But despite that, he believes that out here is exactly where the game should be growing.

"I think by and large it's really quite strong," he said of Central West rugby.

"You come over the mountains and see the Walla Gala Days and so forth and know that rugby is alive and well.

"There's probably a bit more work to do at those upper levels, the Super Rugby and ARU levels, but you hope with some new leadership in those spaces that in time some of that stuff will be ironed out."

That top level support has been in the spotlight these past few weeks as well. But not for rugby union, rather rugby league is grabbing the headlines in the Central West.

The Penrith Panthers have been coming out to play in Bathurst for so long now that a year without them seems an oddity.

But it's not just the one club any more.

Just the other week, the Sea Eagles and Titans took to Mudgee's Glen Willow Regional Sporting Complex for what ended in a thrashing, but was a good spectacle nonetheless.

So the question must be asked, if the NRL is not only willing, but shows a genuine interest in coming out to regional communities, where is Super Rugby?

"I think that bridging that gap between grassroots, representative and senior rugby is really important," Whittaker added.

"Maybe over the recent years that disconnect has grown and I think it's maybe one of the reasons why people at the moment are feeling more connected with the Shute Shield competition because it feels like it's more in our realm, where maybe some of the Super Rugby has seemed quite distant.

"There are some really great venues in Mudgee and Dubbo where I feel they could more than adequately host Super Rugby.

"I think that maybe that's something they need to look at, because there is a really big base out here. Central West rugby is one of the strongest zones outside metropolitan Sydney and I think they really need to foster that."

And who loses out in this scenario if the NSW Waratahs bring a squad out to Orange, or Dubbo, Bathurst or Mudgee?

Those who went to the PCYC to watch Giants Netball take on the Adelaide Thunderbirds earlier this year know just how passionate this community can be and I'm confident Super Rugby would get the same reception.

"One of our goals was increased player participation," Whittaker said of taking on his new role at the club.

"I suppose that starts first and foremost with the people at our club but also more broadly with the people in the rugby community. Making sure that rugby is alive and strong for kids and making sure young blokes can strive to one day play at a high level.

"You hear a lot about pathways with sport these days and I think kids playing at a junior level need to see how they could progress to a senior level and what that might mean.

"You'd hope with some new blood in the governance in Australian Rugby Union that they are working through these problems. I think they are certainly listening to the overwhelming message of that disconnect."

There are plenty of top prospects to come out of the Central West.

We have Orange's Daniel Donato who has shone brightly for Eastern Suburbs in the Shute Shield these past few years.

Stannies graduates Hunter Ward and Yool Yool were also given the chance to trial for the Australian 7s Olympic team just this year.

Andrew Romano is currently plying his trade with the QLD Reds academy.

The type of talent that can come from the Central West is undeniable.

From school visits, to shopping centre autograph signings, it is clear Super Rugby clubs are willing to do these things for the next generation...as long as that generation doesn't grow up too far from the city.

While a column in a newspaper might not amount to much, it should at least act as a point of notice for those at the top of the sport. Come out to the Central West, you won't regret it.

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