From early September to late October, both men and women will play the Shield competition.
After Labour Weekend, when many students are unavailable, the President’s Cup will be played until late February, when the Shield competition resumes, finishing before Easter.
The men begin on Saturday, with seven teams of four, while the women, who play on Tuesday evenings indoors, have seven teams of two.
Because the women’s section has more students, the remainder will play in the men’s 2 grade after Labour Weekend.
The men’s competition has expanded with the addition North Otago — interclub in the region is played on grass courts after Labour Weekend during the week, so North Otago has been welcomed to Saturday competition in Dunedin.
Robin Jamieson, Josh and Nick Dalziel, Glen Claridge and Jeremy Ferguson are all North Otago representatives and should be competitive, especially in the lower order.
McGlashan, led by old boy Carlos Reid and supported by present pupils, has re-emerged after the previously strong squad, which came in the top four in the country, was distributed around clubs last season to ensure a more even contest.
Taieri, last season’s winner, has been weakened by the transfer of Reid and has lost Graeme Clarke. Phil Williams will be unavailable early on.
The experienced Darryl Paterson will be joined by a student and backed by promoted players.
St Clair has retained Otago Open champion Mitchell Sizemore and regained Jeff Elliotte, a former member and strong doubles player.
Balmacewen is led by Paddy Ou and Nelson student Henry Neas but has more depth this season, with coach Shaun Paringatai returning to join fellow coach Matt McCutcheon and Campbell Hodgson returning to tennis.
On paper, the tertiary team of Aaron Hicks, Hamish Low, Chris Duncan and Laurie Evans is strong but all are final-year students and replacements will need to be found for the second round.
Eastern Harbour has named Ryan Eggers and newcomer Patrick Read and has gained Kobus Faber and Gavin Mockford from Cosy Dell while retaining Henry Hailes.
Balmacewen has entered three teams in the women’s section, Amelia King and Annabelle Alloo, Ilana Goossens and Bianka Shibuyu, and Rileigh Fields and Bridget Thomas.
University has two teams. The stronger-looking one has former Auckland and North Harbour junior representatives Charlotte Booth and Claudia Maddren.
Cantabrian Zoe Berryman is joined by Zenani Moore, while Mornington Roslyn has Heike Cebulla-Elder and student Stacey Hopwood.
Taieri has named Eliza Booth and Deanne Edwards.
