Exciting times are ahead on the courts in the North Gippsland Netball League competition, with premiership titles on the line, star recruitments, player milestones and new coaches at the helm.

The WorkSafe Game of the Month will come to Woodside on Sunday 27 April, with the Wildcats to take centre stage against Sale City. While there will be celebrations a plenty at Heyfield with numerous junior players set to chalk up the 100 game milestone during the season.

WOODSIDE NETBALL CLUB

The Woodside Wildcats are looking forward to a bigger and better 2014, with strong numbers at preseason training providing coaches with a luxury of riches.

A new look A grade team will take to the court, with a number of familiar faces returning and an injection of youth set to benefit the line-up. Stepping up from the Under 17 competition Hannah Buys was a proven performer in last year's finals series and will be joined by new recruit Rachel Harasimiuk and Abby Pettitt. Previous premiership players Andrea Elliot, Stacee Staley and Carly Foat return after a year's absence. These new players combined with returning players from last season Rachael Loechel and Emma McAllister will make Woodside one to watch.

Raylene Kee will take to the helm of B grade and is excited about the new look side which includes Megan Garlick and the re-uniting of the Galt girls - the first time they have played together since winning a premiership. Kee is looking forward to a dominating year on and off the court.

Andrea Walpole returns as C Grade coach and is looking to better the performance of 2013. Five of last year's players remain, with the injection of Emma Foat from Under 17, Anna Best, Georgie Patterson and Monique Johnson.

The D Grade has a large list and is expecting an improvement from last season. They welcome the return of club stalwart and President Jenny Foat who brings vast experience.

Previous B Grade player Lisa Fuller has taken charge of the Under 17 while Kristy Lucas moves onto a new look Under 15 side. Lucas is looking forward to the development of the clubs youngest Wildcats.

SALE CITY NETBALL CLUB

The Bulldogs have been working hard on the court since January and are confident that they will once again challenge the competition with a number of new recruits across all grades set to bolster numbers.

Last season the experienced Debbie Fox made a return to the coaching capper and swept the pool coaching the B Grade side from fifth position to a premiership. Fox will be at the helm of the reigning premier and will be aiming to take her side to back to back titles.

Fox will be one of six individual coaches at the kennel with Jan Temaru aiming to return the Dogs A grade side to the lofty heights of success they once enjoyed. Senior netballer Sam Cooke will again be courtside taking to the helm of C grade. The experienced trio will be by the side of new coaches Jane Anderson, D Grade, and premiership player Paige Robinson who will develop the Under 15 squad.

A highly successful development program at the junior level will see the Dogs boast impressive line-ups in the Under 15 and 17 competitions who are tipped to perform well. With many underage players on the list, the club will further lay the foundations for continued success with the players skill set defying their age. Tasting premiership success with her Under 17 squad, Jae Schuback will want more of the same from her talented list who will aim for back to back titles.

HEYFIELD NETBALL CLUB

Reigning A grade premiers Heyfield have retained close to the same team as last year, and will be further strengthened by talented juniors Phoebe Escreet and Chloe Riseley who represented North Gippsland in the Regional State League competition over summer.

Returning as A grade coach, Kara Wheeler achieved the ultimate dream in 2013, guiding her side to a breath taking win. The girls are primed to achieve back to back titles.

With only two teams missing out on finals action last season, the Kangaroos coaching outfit is keen to make a clean sweep of finals action and are primed for the challenge. Experienced coach Fiona Jago has taken to the helm of B grade who welcome the return of Gemma Pilbeam to the side.

Kerri Chivers will lead C grade ably assisted by Traci Grogan who is taking a step back this year for career enhancements. B Grade player Britteny Neille is keen to develop the enthusiasm and determination of D grade while Joan Foat and premiership player Sarah Schellen will continue to develop the clubs younger players as the Under 17 and 15's coaches, with both expecting their talented sides to make finals.

This year three of the clubs young up and coming players Phoebe Escreet (Open), Chloe Riseley and Maddison Sellings (Under 17's) represented North Gippsland Netball in the Regional State League competition over the Summer, with the Under 17's team contesting finals.

Heyfield welcomes back Gemma Pilbeam, Emily Johnson, Mikayla Burton and a number of new players including Ash Woodman, Zoe Hanley, Laureen Pollock along with numerous new junior players to the club.

ROSEDALE NETBALL CLUB

2014 can be best described by the Blues as the year of redemption as they aim to improve on previous efforts and finish off the season strong.

Like many clubs Rosedale will welcome the return of experienced campaigners Lorelle Lowe and Carly Johnston following a year's break and will benefit from the impact recruits from Melbourne including Ella Bertacchini from Victoria University, Western Lightening Victorian Netball League side. Ella will be joined by fellow uni students Sarah Alexander and Amy Harrison.

On the coaching front there to have been changes with Linley Bertacchini switching from playing to coaching the clubs senior sides A and B grade. With both sides competitive in last year's finals series, Bertacchini has plenty to work with particularly with the driven B grade outfit who are holding strong aiming to go one better than a preliminary final.

Laying strong foundations Bridget Kase will be at the helm of C grade and Under 17's, while Erin Felsbourg is taking charge of D grade. This season Rosedale will enter an Under 15's side in the competition with Nadine Johnston from Traralgon helping form a junior side.

TTU NETBALL CLUB

The Bombers youth policy continues to pay dividends with the club set to blood several juniors through the senior ranks during the 2014 season.

The depth in the junior ranks is the envy of many opposition sides, with a large number of the last year's champions and premiers in the Under 15 squad eligible to play in the same age group as they aim to make it two on the run,while the Under 17 squad will aim to take it one step further having finished runners up.

In the senior grades, Euni Thorburn will remain as head coach looking after A, B and the junior teams, whilst Kerrie O'Bryan will take charge of the C and D grade teams. Kerrie returns to the coaching caper after a few years off and bringing a wealth of netball knowledge.

Claiming the D grade title a number of these premiership stars, along with many talented juniors will have opportunities to play in higher grades as the Bombers continue to transition the A grade side and develop as a playing group.

Such is the depth at the club a number of their talented list represented the North Gippsland Netball League at the Eastern Region State League competition including A grade players and Under 17 stars including Alesha Rogers, Danielle Rodgers, Kaytlan Shorter, Rebecca Fromberg and Kirsty Hodgson.

By Lauren Carey