Matt Roberts is the current coach of the club's A grade side in the Orange and District Football Association competition and said the time was right to make the step up.

"Since we came together with this group two years ago, it was all about rebuilding the club," he said.

"As soon as WPL said it was coming back, the club said that was a goal, but we didn't put a time frame on it.

"To be honest, even after last year we could've bit the bullet, but I made the call to not go. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I kind of wish we had gone, as results show we're maybe a little beyond where we're playing now."

Roberts' A grade side is currently undefeated in the ODFA, having scored 48 goals and conceded just seven.

With a young side, the coach didn't want to push too hard too early.

"I just thought we weren't quite ready depth wise as a club this year, because I didn't want us to go WPL and then have nothing left in the club for the local comp," he added."

"We're trying to get CYMS back to where it was when we were powerhouses in the 90s."

One of those players currently tearing it up in A grade is Joe Kay.

He said the side it excited for the new challenge.

"It's been good playing locally but I think we're ready for a step up and a renewed challenge next year," he said.

"It's really good for the region and there's still a lot of quality in the local comp as well which is always important.

"Now it will be a real goal for a lot of juniors to make that step up and get towards it as they work towards the top grades."

Orange already has two WPL sides - Barnstoneworth and Waratahs - and Roberts has been impressed by what he has seen.

"We definitely don't expect to set the world on fire next year. We have a lot of work to do, but I know that these boys have it in them to go to that next level," he said.

"Orange really should be up there with our population and how good our juniors are."

And it's those junior players for which Roberts says need to be the priority.

"The bigger clubs in Orange need to make sure they keep looking after the next generation. You don't just want this to be a two year thing for a couple of the clubs going to WPL and that's it and it fades out," he said.

"We're keeping a really good eye on the senior junior players. It's hard not to get too excited and look too far ahead, but the club and the boys are pretty keen."

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