Kangaroo Flat coach Janelle Hobbs will lead the open side, Jody Chant will coach the 17 and under team and Echuca District Netball Associations’ Betty McCoomb will coach the 15 and under side.

The North Central region encompasses 15 different leagues including, Bendigo, Maryborough and Echuca associations.

Last year’s the 15 and under North Central team crowned champions.

Netball Victoria North Central Region liaison officer Gill Davey said this year, coaches and players have high expectations about the tournament.

“Winning last year meant we had the best 15 and under netballers in Victoria playing right here in our region,” she said.

“Our Open team made the semi-finals so we have very high expectations for our players this year.”

The October tournament will attract more than 700 players from across Victoria. 

“It is a weekend tournament that pits all of the regions across Victoria against each other,” Davey said.

“Players play for a club or association, then they might get picked for an inter-league team then the next step up is to represent your region.

“To be selected to play for your region is an absolute honour.”

Davey said trials for coaches and umpires will begin next month.

“Last year we had 66 players trial for the 15 and under team, 44 trial for the 17 and under team and 14 trial for the Open team,” she said.

“We are very keen to attract the best players in the region and especially increase the amount of Open age players that trial.”

The first trial will be held on June 9 at 3pm at the Golden City Netball courts while the second round of try-outs will be held on June 17 at 6pm at the Rochester Netball Association on Reserve Street.

To be eligible to play, players must have played for an association/league in the North Central region between 2013 and 2014. 

The final teams will be announced at the end of July.

Davey also announced, Sandhurst Cleaning, has come on board as a sponsor of the North Central teams.

To complete the online application form visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/Statetitles2014

Applications must be submitted before midnight on May 28.