There will be 10 teams vying for honours at the two-day tournament which has attracted several Australian junior squad members.

Tournament director and Bendigo’s team manager, Simon Brooks said more than 100 bowlers would be in action at the Hargreaves Street venue.

Centres represented will be Albury, Ballarat, Bendigo, Colac, Geelong, Latrobe Valley, Mildura, Shepparton, Warrnambool, and Wodonga.

“This is the 15th year of the Victorian Junior Country Cup, and the first time it’s being played in Bendigo,” Brooks said.

“We believe home-lane advantage will be a plus across the weekend,” he said when asked about Bendigo’s prospects.

The Bendigo line-up of Georgia Fahy, Carinya Hibbert, Zoe Willis, Adam and Abbas Brooks, and Flynt Aquino has put in many hours practising.

“Playing in their own environment will be an advantage.”

Brooks said today’s technology meant the speed of lanes did not vary from centre to centre.

There will be 18 matches played across the weekend.

In tomorrow’s first round, Bendigo will take on Sunraysia at 10am.

“It will be a tough start to the weekend,” Brooks said.

“The Sunraysia team includes Jessica Garrioch, an Australian junior team bowler who is ranked at number three in the country.”

Bowlers to watch include Latrobe Valley’s Matt Curnow, Geelong’s Dwayne Vivian, and reigning Victorian junior masters champion, Chase Wilkins.

The Bendigo players have achieved great results this year.

Carinya Hibbert is the Victorian Country girls’ champion, Adam Brooks is ranked in the state’s top 16, and Georgia Fahy was runner-up in the graded girls’ championship.

The tournament for under-18 players will be officially opened by Mayor Kevin Gibbins at 9.30am tomorrow.

Presentations will be on from 3pm on Sunday and it’s free entry for spectators across both days.