The Otago Volts assembled on Monday and the week features some fitness testing, community events and sponsorship commitments.
The preparation gets serious quickly, though.
There are two training camps planned for Alexandra and another in Queenstown before the team opens its season with a first-class game starting in Dunedin on October 21.
Opening batsman Hamish Rutherford is the only absentee.
He is still in the United Kingdom where he is playing for Worcestershire.
He arrives back later this month.
Coach Rob Walter was able to report good news on the injury front. The bicep injury which kept fast bowler Michael Rae sidelined all last season has healed.
''He has fully recovered from that injury,'' Walter said.
''He was actually back bowling soon after the season finished, so he has been training for a fair while.''
Former Black Caps spinner Mark Craig's troublesome back is under control. The off-spinner is bowling up to 60 overs a week.
New recruits Dean Foxcroft and Nick Kelly ''are fitting in great''.
''We've had them down throughout the winter, so they have already integrated into the group really nicely. They are good additions and have brought some really cool energy to the group.''
Walter said he was leaving it to the pair to decide what club side they would play for.
''We have some input but it is not our decision to make.''
Left-arm wrist spinner Michael Rippon played in the Canadian Global T20 tournament for the Vancouver Knights during the off season.
The Knights line-up featured the likes of internationals Andre Russell, Shoaib Malik and Rassie van der Dussen.
His side made the final but lost to the Winnipeg Hawks in a one-over eliminator.
