The most powerful soccer official in the region, Budde yesterday revealed he was banking on the Wagga City Wanderers upstaging their unsuspecting rivals when they debut in the State League in Wagga in March.

"Most of the (State League) clubs have no idea about football in Wagga," Budde said yesterday.

"We're the new kids on the block, and hopefully this can work in our favour."

Speaking to The Daily Advertiser yesterday, Budde revealed the Wanderers had yet to make a major impact on the State League landscape.

"I was in Sydney last week for Football NSW meeting with the State League clubs," Budde said.

"Apart from a couple of them, the rest were really in the dark about Wagga."

For Budde, the relative anonymity of the Wanderers will be a significant help when the team plays its first State League game at Gissing Oval on March 28.

"They (rivals) might come down here thinking 'this'll easy'," he said.

"Obviously we want to make sure it's not."

In a huge boost for the Wanderers, Budde last week convinced Football NSW to give the fledgling team a "home game" to open its State League campaign.

After months of planning, Wagga City will play its first game of the State League at Gissing Oval, a venue set to undergo a significant transformation.

Budde said the playing surface at Gissing Oval would under a major "upgrade", while infrastructure at the venue would be enhanced.

"Things like fencing, the canteen and dressing rooms will be given a make over," he said.

For Budde, the initial success of the Wanderers "Business Partnership Program" with sponsors was a step in the right direction for the new team.

The Football Wagga president announced $35,000 had been pledged in support of the team, with the aim to reach $130,000.

"We are in discussions with three or four prospective major sponsors," he said.

"The talks have been fairly wide-ranging.

"Ideally we'd like to have something in place by the end of January."

Transport and clothing remain the "biggest key items" for the Wanderers in their first season, according to Budde.

He said a deal with a bus company is in the wind, while a "local business" is set to supply the playing kit for the team.

Under the schedule for the State League, the Wanderers will play one of the other 10 teams on a weekly home and away basis.

"Originally there were to be 12 teams in the competition, but one has pulled out," Budde said.

"This means the team will get two byes for the season, which won't be a bad thing."

Although the Football Wagga draw is yet to be released, the Pascoe Cup first grade competition will start on March 29, finishing in September.