Melton South is ready for the new challenge in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Roy Picone Shield.
The Royals, who won the Evans-Clark Shield last season, will play in the division 3 competition for the first time.
New president Blake Ivory the group was keen to get out there and test themselves at the next level.
“We don’t think there’s much difference in the standard to be honest,” he said. “We have a very seasoned group and we feel like we will be more than competitive going up to division 3.
“It’ll be nice to challenge ourselves against some new clubs and play on some new grounds.
“We’re confident heading into the season that we can give it a good crack.”
Ivory said they’ve had some really strong numbers at training and were continuing to build on what they’ve done the past few years.
He said there had been a number of new players joining the club.
“Everyone is really positive about the upcoming season,” he said. “We have been pretty strong in terms of our training culture the past few years, something worked really hard on.
“Our group has been very similar over the last few years and know each other very well, I think that helps
“People feel connected to the club and feel they want to be there.
“We’ve been able to add some new players, through word of mouth and reputation and that culture we want to build which is positive.”
While most of the first XI side has returned for another season, the Royals have lost Praveen De Silva.
De Silva won the division 4 competition best and fairest award last season.
Ivory said he would be a big loss.
Chameera Perera, who joins the club from Craigieburn, is the big signing for the Royals and would bring plenty of experience to the club.
“He’s friends with one of our guys and has jumped on board,” Ivory said.
“He is a left arm off spinner and a bat as well, middle order bat.
“He’s our main recruit at the moment, bit of batting and bowling throughout the year and hopefully he can give us something similar to Praveen did.”
Ivory steps into the presidency replacing Paul Davies, who steps back after a number of years in the role.
Ivory said he was excited for the new challenge taking over from Davies, who had done a lot of hard work for the club.
The Royals are set to kick off their season on Saturday against Point Cook Centrals.
