Coach Nigel Ben-Gurion wants his charges to move away from the typically stodgy hockey many of his players are familiar with and back themselves more on attack.
He has picked a team fit for purpose and the players have embraced the new structure.
''We want to play attractive and attacking hockey,'' he said.
''That is why I've picked the team I have. I've picked them for ability and speed.''
Southern Hockey's decision to pull out of the National Hockey League this season has had repercussions for Otago, though.
''You've got to have something to strive for, and if the NHL team is not there, it does not give people something to reach for.
''Otago hockey was always going to put this team together, regardless of whether an NHL team was there or not.
''This is a stepping stone for the girls, so it is a good experience for them to go away and learn ... and hopefully progress to NHL.''
Stephanie Mann-O'Malley and Tory Dougherty will co-captain the Otago side. They are both classy midfielders and it is an area where the team is particularly strong.
Up front, Otago will look to Sarah Thomas and Finella Sweeney to pot the goals.
''They are both young, fast and very agile so we expect to get some goals out of those two.''
Annabel Girvan will marshall the defensive effort. Dougherty said one of the major challenges the side faces is switching back on when it is time to defend again.
''We are playing a different structure which is more attacking but we've got to switch from attack to defence a bit faster,'' she said.
Otago had a warm game against Canterbury in late July and held its own in the opening half. Canterbury stretched away to win the fixture comfortable.
''We got a bit confused on defence,'' she said, adding Otago had barely trained together by that stage, though.
The teams have drawn each other in the opening game so it will be a good measure of how far Otago has progressed.
Otago's two other pool matches are against Tasman and Waikato. A top placing in the pool would secure a better draw for the playoffs later in the week.
