The Northern Country Women’s League will kick off its new season under lights on Friday night, with both senior matches starting at 7pm.
Reigning premier Nathalia will commence its title defence against Tatura at Nathalia Showgrounds, while Shepparton United and Echuca clash at Deakin Reserve.
The youth girls are also gearing up for their curtain raiser; Shepparton Swans and Shepparton United will clash in the derby at Deakin Reserve at 5.30pm, while Moama and Echuca go head-to-head at Moama.
Shepparton United will field its first senior women’s outfit in the NCWL this year, running out after the United youth girls at Deakin in a United double-header.
Demons coach Grant Searle, who will steer both the senior and youth sides this weekend, said the stage was set for a scintillating season opener.
“Everyone is fired up and ready to go for the first game in pink and blue,” he said.
“It’s a very exciting time for the club, fielding our first women’s team, there’ll be a few girls lining up for them who have come through the ranks.”
After a busy cricket season on Deakin’s hallowed turf, a number of girls will run out as a full squad for the first time on the big stage on Friday night.
“We’re very excited the council gave the go-ahead for the Friday night double-header under lights, we’re hoping it generates a lot of interest and people will come down and have a look,” Searle said.
Two extra NCWL games will be played this year, with the league ensuring the senior women’s competition and the youth girls play the same number of games, after the youth girls played 14 games as opposed to the women’s 10 last season.