In three weeks, Otago United will play its first national league match and new coach Richard Murray has galvanised his squad into action with intensive training at Forrester Park.
"The response from players has been superb, both in numbers and in the hard work being done by several age-groups, from under-15 to under-17 and the national league squad itself," Murray said.
"The senior squad was selected at the weekend and is now focusing on our first match, which is away to Wellington on October 23."
Other national league sides have already been training and playing pre-season matches, so once again Otago is playing catch-up.
However, now the squad has been selected, player contracts are being processed as required by Football New Zealand which has officially accepted Otago's entry.
The venue for matches in Dunedin is still being debated.
In previous seasons, several grounds have been used, including Carisbrook, the Caledonian Ground and Tahuna Park. A future possibility, if affordable, is Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Along with senior coach Murray, more coaches have become involved in what looks like an impressive group seeking to produce a production line of youth talent.
"We are aiming at a seamless progression through different age-groups towards national league," Murray said.
"Along the way there is an under-15 tour to Singapore, the under-17 Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland, the national youth league and the senior competition itself.
"As required by competition rules we have named five youth academy players among the 20 players selected at the weekend, and have a further five places available and up for grabs."
Some players returning from injuries have not been considered at this stage, but they will be when match fitness is regained.
All involved have been impressed with the turnout to the trials held over the past three weeks, and Murray is very pleased that so many players wanted to be considered.
Some came from as far as Christchurch, and there have been more than 35 players trialling and training.
Otago United
The squad
Goalkeeper: Callum Flaws (Caversham).
Defenders: Zac Rathbone (University), Jude Fitzpatrick (Miramar), Tom Connor (Roslyn), Matt Joy (Dunedin Technical), Tristan Prattley (Dunedin Technical), Craig Ferguson (Southland).
Midfield: Mike Cunningham (Roslyn), Darren Overton (Caversham), Seamus Ryder (Caversham), Harley Rodeka (Caversham), Sam Mepham (Roslyn), Morgan Day (Mosgiel).
Strikers: Ant Hancock (Caversham), Donnie McGregor (unattached).
Academy players: Matt Brook (Mosgiel), Andrew Ridden (Southland), Nick Hindson (Dunedin Tech), Jackson Mitchell (Grants Braes), Joel Stevens (APFA, Christchurch).
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