Footballsouth has a testing opening assignment as the 10th national women's league season starts tomorrow.
The clash with Central, at Tahuna Park, will be a gauge of where the local team stands.
A boost to Footballsouth's chances is the inclusion of Mary Fraser and keeper Tessa Nicol, who narrowly missed out on the New Zealand under-20 and under-17 World Cup squads this year.
Thirteen players have been reselected for the squad that represented Footballsouth last year.
The team, under coach Nick Rzepecky, is looking to improve on last year's midtable performance in the Southern Conference.
Chelsea Martin returns to captain a side which includes the experienced Jordyn Walker, Chelsea Whittaker, Sam Muirhead, Tess Barker, Sara Stannard, Una Madden, Alice Foote, Caitlyn Bloxham, Shontelle Smith and Paige Aitcheson.
The players range in experience from a former Otago captain, the veteran Kushla Glover, to Lara Malcolm, who is representing Footballsouth for the first time after playing for Mainland last year.
The remainder of the squad includes some promising talent from the area - Alex McIntosh and Sammy Murrell (Invercargill); Pelatia Schwartfeger (Timaru); and Hannah English, Kate Guildford and Rhea Brisbane (Dunedin).
Juana Diesing, Claire Jones and Steph Upton will be making debuts at this level.
The team had "come together well and have benefited from a longer buildup that ensures everyone within the squad is ready," Rzepecky said.
"Although we have experienced a few niggling injuries, which preclude Una Madden and Paige Aitcheson, we are confident that we can compete well on Sunday and the following weeks.
"With our first game this weekend, at home in front of our supporters ... it is important for the squad to settle into their game plan early and make the most of all the goal-scoring opportunities that come their way.
"As the competition is only six league games, we cannot afford to take things lightly, and after the showing Footballsouth gave the last time, none of the other teams will be doing so."
Central's hopes are based on an impressive run by Palmerston North side Massey University in the ASB Women's Knockout Cup. No fewer than 12 players from the cup run will wear Central's colours in the league team led by Emma Boyack.
Defending champion Northern opens its season with a final rematch at home to Waikato-Bay of Plenty, which will immediately follow the Charity Cup clash between Waitakere United and Auckland City tomorrow afternoon.
The league is split into two divisions, a Northern and a Southern Conference of four teams that play each other twice. The top two teams in each conference progress to the semifinals.
Women's football
Tahuna Park, tomorrow, 12.30pm
Footballsouth: Tessa Nicol, Steph Upton, Alice Foote, Sara Stannard, Kushla Glover, Mary Fraser, Chelsea Martin, Shontelle Smith, Caitlyn Bloxham, Sam Muirhead, Jordyn Walker, Sammy Murrell, Chelsea Whittaker, Pelatia Schwartfeger, Hanna English, Lara Malcolm.
Central: Courtney Norman, Ruby Tufuga, Jane Barnett, Leah Gallie, Coral Seath, Hollie Cleaver, Chelsea Aim, Rhonda Bridges, Emma Boyack, Emma Rogers, Rosie Missen, Mikaela Boxall, Jessica Oulahgan, Siobhan Patterson, Catherine Pretty, Libby Boobyer.
