AS a two-time defending champion of both the Caldwell and Thomson Cups there's no denying Central West's status as a powerhouse of New South Wales Country rugby, but now there's another trophy on the hit list. Come 2022, the Blue Blues will be aiming for glory in the colts division of the annual Country Championships as well as attempting to pull off a three-peat with its senior men's and women's teams. In a sign of how serious CWRU is about forming a team, Shane Cantrill of Bathurst Bulldogs and Orange Emus' Stu Brisbane have already been named as coaches for the under 19 side. "This age group you always have trouble with," Brisbane said. "With any team sport, team culture is good for any kid, both female and male to get experience and having a common goal to work to and also it's just a bloody load of fun." Brisbane has worked with the Central West juniors for a few years now and has seen them grow both on and off the field. Asked why he would encourage players to get on board with the Blue Bulls this season, he said: "It just gives them an opportunity to go up against other teams with the blokes they play against every week, so they can go away as a single group now having that comradery. "It also tests themselves in a football sense as well, you're up against the best from other districts which is always nice to see." Sharing coaching duties won't be an issue for Brisbane either. "We just encourage people to be involved in rugby, so if a couple of people put their hands up, rather than just giving it to one, it's good to have people involved and not turn them away," he said. "Shane was interested to come back into the fold so rather than just say one is gonna get it, it's good to give both a go." Central West Rugby Union (CWRU) chief executive officer Matt Tink admitted it was embarrassing not to be represented in that division this year and is adamant there will be no more absences. The last time a colts side was fielded was in 2019. "We're very determined to get a side," Tink said. "We were probably a bit embarrassed and disappointed we didn't have one last year. We put it out there, but there wasn't the interest." The timing of the Country Championships on the June long weekend is a factor Tink knows they will have to combat to form a squad. They also opted not to have potential colts train last Sunday when the senior men and women did, acknowledging many candidates would still have school graduations and celebrations as a priority. However, Tink makes no secret of the fact he is serious about forming the best colts squad in NSW Country. "Look as far as we're concerned, the Country Championships is aspirational rugby, we are going to win, it's not participation rugby. We want really talented, committed kids in that group," he said. "All three squads will train together in February and we'll push really hard. We've details of the kids in that age group, we'll contact them directly and the blokes who want to play and show up - away we go." Aside from the lure of pulling on a Blue Bulls jumper, Tink pointed out attending the Country Championships is a big step on the path to Australian selection. That is another reason why he is calling on the best under 19s talents to trial. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: