Leeton remain confident of having enough players to return to the Southern Inland first grade compeition in 2024. Picture supplied

Leeton president Stuart Stout is confident the club will have two men's sides taking to the field for season 2024.

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At the annual general meeting last year, the Phantoms revealed they were looking to return to first grade.

The goal was to have first and second grade men's sides competing as well as the return of their women's team and Stout believes this will be the case.

Solid numbers have been turning up for pre-season training under coach Marika Vunibaka, with some players even turning out three times a week for the sessions.

"We've currently been training Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday," Stout said.

"We have some on night shift, so that is what the Saturday session is for, but we're getting good numbers to each of them.

"We are pretty confident we will have two competitive men's grades back this season, which is really good as it is our 50th anniversary."

Pre-season training has focused on fitness, but also getting players back into the game mindset.

"The main one is fitness, but also ball handling skills, as well as team work," Stout said.

"It's a really positive environment at the moment. Everyone seems to be enjoying what they are doing.

"Marika is doing a great job in pulling all the players back together and making training really worthwhile."

The Dianas have also started their pre-season training, which is once a week on a Thursday at the moment, but it will likely be stepped up to two weekly sessions soon.

Confidence is not as high surrounding a return to the women's competition after withdrawing last year just ebfore the start of the season.

In 2024 the women's side is being coached by Ginger Longford and Amanda Rourke.

However after withdrawing weeks out from last year's season, numbers remain a concern.

"It's early days for the Dianas at the moment as we build up at training, numbers are still a little bit low," Stout said.

"I think as we get into the proper training runs we will get more players and we're confident we will have the team in the comp this year.

"I think having Amanda and Ginger as coaches this year will be fantastic as well.

"They are fantastic leaders."

Southern Inland have asked clubs to finalise their team commitments ahead of a meeting on Monday with the hope of being able to determine the structure of their season then.