New Orange CYMS president Cam Jones has thrown his support behind a revamped Western Premiership, but he admits it'd be great if there was a clearer picture surrounding the concept heading into next year.
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A host of clubs across the Western Rams region have expressed concerns around the lack of transparency surrounding the new competition, which is designed to pit Group 10 and Group 11 clubs against each other throughout the season and then again come finals time to eventually crown a champion.
Those details - promised in June, then in July and then ultimately before the end of the year - are yet to be released, despite NSW Rugby League confirming the competition in March before a name, the Peter McDonald Premiership, was rubbed stamped in August.
Western Rams regional manager Evan Jones said at the time the community consultation period was a lengthy one and delays in the process pushed back the release of key details.
The delay has prompted Group 11 giants Nyngan to oppose the new Western premiership, with Tigers boss Glen Neill adding he was "a bit confused" as to what that competition would look like.
That uncertainty will be aired at a Group 11 meeting this weekend.
I'm passionate about the club.
- New Orange CYMS president Cam Jones
But with 2022 now just around the corner - some clubs will start training for next season in December - Jones is confident releasing a draw for the new competition will pave the way for clubs across the region to jump on board the concept.
"Bloody oath, I think it'll be a great thing. But once everyone knows 100 per cent what's happening I think we'll then know what we're in for," he said.
"Initially I thought it'd be a bit more inventive; it looks as though it'll be Group 10 and Group 11 as it normally is and there's the odd crossover. It's a bit unclear."
A long-time prop with the green and golds, Jones takes over the reins from another player in Dom Maley.
At 26, the CYMS junior would be one of the younger presidents anywhere in the NSWRL but he's confident he'll have enough old heads around him to help steer the ship in 2022.
"Dom, I'll talk to him; Mark Jasprizza, Mick Downey and Ray Trudgett, if I've got questions, and no doubt I will, I'll be hitting them up," Jones said.
"Being president was flagged with me about a month ago and I put a bit of thought into it and it's something I'm keen to do.
"I'm passionate about the club but I won't try and reinvent the wheel. I'll be hoping to maintain the success Dom has been able to achieve."
Jones said it was great to have captain-coach Dan Mortimer returning for 2022 but confirmed ex-NRL prop Jack Buchanan and the club's 2021 hooker Jack Nobes were both returning to Cowra for next season.
He said the club would look at its playing roster throughout the off-season and weigh up whether or not any gaps needing filling.
"Jack and Jack, they're two big holes to fill there, but we'll leave it to Dom and Dan. They've done that stuff for last couple of years," Jones added.
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