Four Ballarat Futsal Centre-based players feature in the squad – captain Matt Jamieson, Jackson McIver, goalkeeper Gerry Verde and Thomas Wylie-O’Brien.

With Ballarat only in its first year of operation, coach Corey Smith has bolstered the 12-strong team with players from outside the city to increase its competitiveness.

Ballarat has had only two weeks to prepare, with the squad all late call-ups for the tournament.

Smith believes the team can cause some damage.

“I think it will be quite a steep learning experience because we come in as the underdogs out of the eight teams, but that suits us perfectly,” he said.

“It will be a chance to introduce our own brand of futsal and prove how far the sport has come into the country areas.”

Ballarat will line up against the Vic Vipers, Pascoe Vale, Hume, Fremantle Muitacalma, Adelaide Fusion, Sydney Magic and the Parramatta 

Blues.

Full squad: Ryan Timmi, Gerry Verde, Matt Jamieson, Jackson McIver, Jusuf Avdic, Gianni Romano, Tom Wylie-O’Brien, Andres Cardenas, Gustavo Candilo, Ivan Zilic, Adam Husseini, Dino Redzepovic, Alija Redzepovic, Tom Grigic

Ballarat will play three games today, with finals tomorrow.

Ballarat’s draw:

10am: v Vic Vipers

3pm: v Fremantle

6pm: v Parramatta Blues