There will be senior rugby league played in the western area in 2020 but what, if any, part the Cowra Magpies take depends on a final format.
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Magpies president Marc McLeish said the club is yet to receive a lot of information regarding a proposed Western competition made up of Group 10, 11 and Woodbridge Cup teams.
"We haven't received a lot of information except that the competition could be split into a couple of pools," McLeish said.
The Magpies have committed to fielding an under 18 side this year and McLeish is confident the Magpies can field at least one senior side if the format of a competition is suitable to the players.
"We've had a good show of hands from players who are willing to play," he said.
"We will field a grade if something happens but it is hard to get a commitment from players without a concrete format."
The Magpies president said ideally Cowra would be pooled with Parkes, Forbes and Blayney if a competition goes ahead with the winner of the pool progressing to the finals.
"But we can't go out and say to blokes do you want to commit and then things change," he said
NSW Rugby League's Peter Clarke says an under 18s competition from July 18 is a near-certainty and is expected to involve 14 teams.
Clarke sent an email to all clubs this week asking for an expression of interest to take part in a Western League for this year.
Dubbo clubs CYMS and Macquarie are major drivers of the idea, but there will be no talk of possible structure until the end of next week at the earliest.
"Clubs have voiced support for it and they want football regardless," Clarke said.
Clubs have voiced support for it and they want football regardless
- Peter Clarke, NSW Rugby League
"Restrictions are starting to ease and the signs are positive that clubs can operate more freely but we still need to respect the guidelines and hygiene protocol.
"We're concentrating on the 18s because we've got enough interested to run a competition and we're giving senior clubs the opportunity."
The sporting landscape has changed plenty since both the Group 11 and Group 10 seasons were cancelled.
Senior sport has been given the green light to return from July 1, groups of up to 20 can now train together, and restrictions are starting to ease around members of the public at sporting events.
Any possible senior competition is reliant on updates continuing to trend in the right direction but Clarke and numerous clubs from around the region are optimistic.
Clubs across the region have until Friday, June 26, to reply to Clarke with their commitment.
