The Haymes Red Devils take on the A-League side’s youngsters in rounds 10 and 22, with venues yet to be confirmed.

Heart’s A-League contracted players will not play for the club in state league matches.

“Personally I see this as a great opportunity for our club to take on Melbourne Heart in a real match,” Ballarat president Jamie Winton said.

“We look forward to playing them as this will be some of the best 18 and 19-year-old players in Victoria playing against, to be honest, our young team. We have lost a few of our older players from last season so these matches will be a real test for the players.”

Ballarat will start its league season on April 6 against La Trobe University followed a week later by a match against relegated outfit Whittlesea Ranges.

The team will have a pre-season hit-out away to Melton today, before a home clash with Moreland Zebras on February 24. The Reds’ final pre-season match will be away to Geelong on March 28.

RED DEVILS FIXTURE

Round 1: April 6 v La Trobe University (h), round 2: April 13 v Whittlesea Ranges (a), round 3: April 20 v Preston Lions (h), round 4: April 27 v Altona East Phoenix (a), round 5: May 11 v Moreland City (h), round 6: May 18 v Brunswick City (a), round 7: May 25 v Keilor Park (h), round 8: June 1 v Fitzroy City (a), round 9: June 15 v Avondale Heights (h), round 10: June 19 v Melbourne Heart Youth (h), round 11: June 29 v Westgate (h), round 12: July 6 v La Trobe University (a), round 13: July 13 v Whittlesea Ranges (h), round 14: July 21 v Preston Lions (a), round 15: July 27 v Altona East (h), round 16: August 3 v Moreland City (a), round 17: August 10 v Brunswick City (h), round 18: August 17 v Keilor Park (a), round 19: August 24 v Fitzroy City (h), round 20: August 31 v Avondale Heights (a), round 21: September 14 v Sydenham Park (h), round 22: September 21 v Westgate (a).