Rugby players are cleaning last year's mud off their boots, netballers are strapping up their ankles and hockey players are putting new grips on their sticks.
But for a group of rugged young men, this winter holds special significance.
They are the players in the revived Dunedin premier rugby league competition, starting next week after a three-year hiatus.
Four teams will play regular Saturday games at the Kensington Oval.
A grand final is scheduled for June 18, after which the teams will play a combined competition with Southland clubs.
Steve Martin, the former Otago rugby coach who is now running league in the South, has been delighted at the enthusiasm shown for the re-emergence of league.
The four teams were all from traditional rugby league clubs - Kia Toa, University, South Pacific Raiders and the Harbour Seals - with long histories in the game, he said.
As a precursor to the start of the competition, a nine-a-side tournament will be held at the Oval tomorrow.
The first game kicks off at 12.30pm, with a final set down for 3.30pm.
