Otago coach Lauren Piebenga has named her first squad and believes she has the talent to defend the title the province won last season under previous coach Deb Tasi-Cordtz.
The core of the side remains intact, with Steel back-up shooters Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Kate Shearer and goal attack Olivia Bates returning.
Midcourt trio Gina Crampton, Shannon Francois and Miaana Walden will link up again, while talented defender and New Zealand under-21 captain Storm Purvis will spearhead the defensive effort and will lead the Otago side as well.
There is no Demelza McCloud. The experienced goal keep has returned to Australia and plays for the Firebirds in the ANZ Championship.
Steel back-up midcourter Stacey Peeters is unavailable, while defenders Zoe Walker (Canterbury) and Greir Campbell (Southland) have transferred to other provinces.
There are five newcomers. Defenders Renaye Flockton, Rebecca Purvis and Celina Ledgard will get their first opportunity at this level, as will midcourter Sophie Napper and shooter Bridget Thayer.
Most of Otago's experience is in the midcourt and shooting circle and the team will have to work hard on defence if it is going to defend its title.
But Piebenga is thrilled with her squad, which was revealed at a function at the OUSA Aquatic Centre last night.
''I'm very pleased. We've got some exciting new talent coming through,'' Piebenga said.
''And many of the players from that champion 2012 team are back again which is a real strength for us.
''We've got Shannon Francois who has been in the Silver Ferns and is in the New Zealand accelerant squad along with Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
''We've got Storm Purvis anchoring the back ... and we've got some strong combinations that we've worked with for the past three season that are really starting to mature.''
The national championships will be held in Dunedin from September 30 to October 4. They were scheduled for Invercargill but had to be transferred to Dunedin because of delays in the rebuild of Stadium Southland.
''Being at home and having the support of friends and family should add another dimension to our game. We want to stand up and show them what we can do and being at home allows us to be able to do that.''
In past seasons, some of the round-robin games have been played before tournament week. But the format has changed this year and all of the games are being played during tournament week.
That means there will be days when teams are required to play twice. Piebenga is confident Otago has the depth to cope with the challenges of back-to-back games and playing day after day.
''For sure, we've got the depth. We've got players who can change up our game plan and really own the position. We've certainly selected with that in mind and will be looking to push each other for starting positions.''
The squad will have its first training session tonight and will begin a full training programme from next week.
A pre-season game against Canterbury is scheduled the week before the nationals.
It is the only warm-up game which has been organised at this stage.
Otago netball
2013 squad
Olivia Bates, Gina Crampton, Renaye Flockton, Shannon Francois, Celina Ledgard, Sophie Napper, Storm Purvis, Rebecca Purvis, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Kate Shearer, Bridget Thayer, Miaana Walden.
