Gnjidic said Ballarat needed to make it much tougher for visiting teams than last season

City’s predecessor Ballarat Red Devils won just five of their 14 homes games, with one of their eight losses at the venue being at the hands of the Gnjidic-coached Moreland Zebras.

Gnjidic said while rival clubs did not necessarily enjoy the drive down the freeway to Ballarat, they did look forward to playing at a great venue and with that lifted.

“It should be an advantage playing at home. We have to improve our focus on making it just that.”

The newly formed Ballarat City will get an early opportunity to do this, with six of its first nine games at home.

Ballarat opens its season away to Brunswick City on Sunday, February 5.

This will be one of only four Sunday fixtures (all away) for City, with all other matches on Saturdays.

Ballarat will also play all but two of its home games at 6pm.

Gnjidic said scheduling aimed to complement the under-age program, with senior matches at a time which allowed the whole club community to watch the marquee team in action.

The Ballarat senior squad resumes training  next Wednesday after a short Christmas-New Year break.

Gnjidic said he was pleased with the progress players have made in the first part of the pre-season.