THE Western Rams against the might of the North Sydney Bears? You better believe it.
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There might be no Group 10 to play but Bathurst Panthers and St Pat's leading talents will have the chance to represent the Rams in a competition unlike any other seen in the state this year.
The Western Rams senior side, featuring the best from Group 10 and Group 11, will join Dubbo CYMS in the new Presidents Cup.
The cup features those clubs, from both the city and country, who remain keen to play despite their own competitions being cancelled for 2020.
Just who plays for the Rams remains to be seen, but the two Bathurst clubs have had representation in the past.
Last October when the Rams faced France, the line up included Casey Burgess (Mudgee Dragons) while Todd Munn (Mudgee Dragons) and Brad James (Gulgong Terriers) played in 2017.
The Rams will be taking on the Bears and their fellow Sydney clubs the Wentworthville Magpies, Glebe Burwood Bears, the Hills Bulls, plus CYMS and the Maitland Pickers.
Western Region area manager Peter Clarke welcomed the addition of both the Rams and Dubbo CYMS into the Presidents Cup competition.
"The Presidents Cup will help unify the state through rugby league in what has been a tough year for everyone connected with the game," Clarke said.
"It's great to see our players will get some game time in over this nine-week period rather playing no footy at all in 2020.
"Teams from our region have been part of the NSW Challenge Cup in previous years and have enjoyed the challenge so I'm sure the Presidents Cup will be no different."
It's all come around quickly for CYMS, with their spot in the competition only confirmed on Monday night.
"This might never happen again, this opportunity," CYMS president Mick Fraser said.
"It's just good for country rugby league. It's giving people some football and that's what it's all about."
"That's what really got it over the line I think you'll find, giving these players from the bush the opportunity to play against some different competition."
The Fishies campaign is expected to start against the Bears on the weekend of July 18 before the unique experience of taking on the Western Rams in round two.
Clubs will play each other once and have one bye before a four-week finals series with a gala grand final weekend on 26-27 September at a venue yet to be determined.
"The Presidents Cup is a new concept and promises plenty of excitement with teams from across NSW signalling their interest and intention to be part of it," NSWRL's general manager of football Barrie-Jon Mather said.
