SOVEREIGNS are mindful that this city - and the region - is watching closely how they fare.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The club hosts undefeated and experienced campaigner City West Falcons in their first Victorian Netball League home game on Saturday night.
While the Falcons offer a stark contrast to the young and developing Sovereigns in championship division, they offer an indication of what the Sovereigns are working to build.
ACU Sovereigns championship division assistant coach Kate McMahon said players were focused on showing the region how they go about their business.
Sovereigns want to do the region proud.
"In a perfect world, we would love to have Sovereigns win their first home game," McMahon said.
"...We believe we can do well.
"Playing at this level takes heart and it has been a brutal introduction, now we're coming up against a top team of seasoned players."
The VNL has scheduled its first five rounds within a fortnight to help shorten the length of the season for this year's netball world cup.
McMahon said this was a tough ask for any team, even for players that have been together a long time.
Sovereigns are sporting about five players in their debut VNL championship division season.
Captain Cynna Kydd, a former Australian goaler, has returned to VNL after a four season hiatus.
McMahon said it took time to gel and understand how each other and the league operated - Sovereigns have had limited training sessions since the season opener - but Sovereigns had been competitive against every championship division team.
Centre-courter Tessa Burton made her first team training session this week, travelling down from Swan Hill and sparking an exciting feed to Kydd.
Sovereigns remained hopeful injured circle defenders Erin Riley and Sanonu Robertson could be cleared for the home game but would err on the side of caution.
McMahon said all teams were carrying injuries from the tight schedule, only Sovereigns' lack of experienced depth risked being exposed.
Sovereigns must nullify Falcons' goaler Kath Knott, a former Melbourne Vixen, and ensure they cut her feed.
A talented Sovereigns' 19/under squad and highly competitive division one team is also ready to prove there is plenty to like about this city's new netball outfit.
VICTORIAN NETBALL LEAGUE
SOVEREIGNS v CITY WEST FALCONS
at Wendouree Sports and Events Centre, Saturday night
Championship division: 8pm
Division one: 6.30pm
19/under: 5pm
SOVEREIGNS SQUADS
Championship division - GOALERS: Jordyn Bibby (Ballarat), Carla Dziwoki (Melbourne Vixens), Laura McDonald (Clayton), Cynna Kydd (Ballarat).MID-COURT: Lauren Atkinson (Ballarat), Kelly Conroy (Ballan), Jane Costello (Ballarat), Ashlea Melnikas (North Melbourne), Tessa Burton (Bendigo).DEFENDERS: AShley Bradley (Lockington), Erin Riley (Box Hill), Sanonu Robertson (Ballarat).COACH: Natasha Chokljat. Assistant coaches: Mark Melnikas, Kate McMahon.
Division one - GOALERS: Hayley Fidler (Colac), Jess Parry (Navarre), Amy Starzer (Avondale Heights).MID-COURT: Danni Davidson (Sunbury), Lee Chicas (Ballarat), Amy Conroy (Ballarat), Sidonie Moore (Ballarat), Samantha Karakinos (Wheelers Hill).DEFENDERS: Rhiannon Banner (Melton), Elenoa Costello (Ballarat), Katie Lindkvist (Buninyong), Sarah Milton (Narre Warren).COACH: Kim Bailey. Assistant coach: Jordan O'Keefe.
19/unders - GOALERS: Lauren Jew (Ballarat), Sasha McDonald (Edenhope), Zoe Ottavbi (Cambrian Hill), Abbey Ryan (Bendigo).MID-COURT: Kathryn O'Dwyer (Ballarat), Emily Ktona (Essendon), Bridget Murray (Bendigo), Ashley Ryan (Bendigo).DEFENDERS: Emilly Atkinson (Moama), Zoe Davies (Bendigo), Claudia Masek (Jan Juc), Bridget Smith (Warrnambool).COACH: Kerry Lightfoot. Assistant coach: Garry Cooke.