Newly appointed WTA president Darren Walsh said registration numbers were “similar” to last year’s competition and explained the reduced fixtures as being the result of a end-of-season review.

“The numbers are still strong and look pretty similar to last year’s, but the feedback we got was that teams were finding it hard to field players after Christmas when other codes begin their pre-season,” Walsh said.

The upcoming season will open with a rematch of last year’s women’s decider as AKW Jets and Young Guns face off in round one.

Don Tuckwell’s Audio and Farmers Home Hotel are set to do battle in the other women’s fixture.

Meanwhile, defending premiers MJR Electrics will take on Quolls while the Cobras and Wizards are braced for an early date.

The Casuals have the bye.