Dubbo CYMS reach 18th grand final in past 21 completed seasons

This Sunday, Dubbo CYMS will compete in its 18th grand final over the past 21 completed seasons. Extraordinarily, that’s a 90 per cent success rate.

And that includes 11 successive grand finals and ten premierships. No wonder Dubbo is known as the City of Smiles.

Rival rugby league clubs may dislike Dubbo CYMS, but everyone respects them.

Penrith’s Isaah Yeo, Canterbury’s Matt Burton and ex-Bulldog Andrew Ryan all played in the club’s famous green and white jumper, as did NRL players Charly Runicman and Kaide Ellis.

Ex-NSW and Australian forward Dean Pay has coached Dubbo CYMS.

And the club’s tradition and success will continue in Sunday’s Peter McDonald Premiership grand final against Mudgee at Apex Oval, Dubbo.

“I’m super stoked to see Dubbo CYMS do so well,” said Yeo.

“It‘s great to see how much success they’re having. That goes to show how good the people are at the club. They’ve taken it to the next level and stayed so consistent over the past few years.

“That was my junior club growing up. I used to train there Wednesday to Friday – my dad (Justin) was playing there.

“It would be great to see more Dubbo players reach the NRL in years to come. We’re fortunate enough to have had a couple of us reach NRL through myself and Matty Burton.

“The Panthers have a great relationship with Dubbo and the Central West and it only looks to be getting stronger. I was fortunate enough to play under 18s and first grade with them as well and I obviously have so many good friends still there.”

Dubbo CYMS president Nick Sykes outlined why and how his side maintains such lofty success each season.

“We keep an eye on other groups, and there are some other very successful country rugby league clubs, but it would be hard to match us – 18 out of 21 grand finals,” he said.

“The club has prided themselves on having good people involved and working hard on and off the field.

“The players are obviously out there week in, week out, training and playing hard on top of their full-time jobs and other commitments. They are why we are where we are today.

“I knew we’d been in a lot of grand finals but it was only when I did the research for this story that I sat back and realised how consistent we have been over the past 20 years.

“I don’t know what it is – maybe a combination of a strong junior league, an efficient committee and the fact that the players are well looked after, they’re given good role models and leaders.

“We are notorious for being the fittest team in the competition. That hard work and culture pays dividends. I’m so proud to be involved in the club, to be honest. To be president is even more special.”

The club’s remarkable record prompts professional jealousy from rival country clubs, not that Dubbo CYMS is concerned.

“Everyone hates us and everyone wants to beat us. That’s because we have been winning for a very long time,” Sykes said. “When you have our record, it seems everyone is coming to get you every week.

“A lot of them probably won’t admit it but there is a lot of respect for our success and how we play on the field.

“They don’t like us on or off the field but it’s nothing too sinister – it’s all in pretty good spirit. Basically, you’re either with us or against us.”

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CYMS will again rely heavily on their gun players Ben Martin, Billy Sing, Jarryn Powyer, Jyie Chapman and Alex Bonham in Sunday’s big game, the majority having played in the past ten grand finals.

The Peter McDonald Premiership - an amalgamation of groups 10 and 11 – comprises 12 teams. Geographically, it spans from Lithgow to Nyngan.

Aside from CYMS, Dubbo has another club, Dubbo Macquarie Raiders.

Originally published as Dubbo CYMS reach 18th grand final in past 21 completed seasons