Seven SCAFL teams will be joined by the Orbost Snowy Rovers and Canberra division one side, the Gungahlin Jets. 

 “The addition of both Orbost and Gunghalin to this years lightning premiership is extremely exiting for the competition, with clubs being able to measure themselves against a really good opponent,” football operations coordinator Jarrod Moore said. 

Both local clubs, the Bega Bombers and Tathra Sea Eagles, said they are boasting youthful new look sides and are excited for the competition launch. 

Sea Eagles veteran Luke Taylor and Bombers veteran Matt Fleet both said the clubs would take the opportunity to utilise young new players. 

“Its more about getting a bit of game time and some experience for the younger guys before the season starts,” Taylor said. 

“Reggie [Ryan O’Loghlin] is going great in the coaching and the young guys are really keen to get out and have a crack.”

Meanwhile, Fleet echoed the sentiment.

“We’ll have a much younger side led by Chris [Dwyer] and he has been doing a fantastic job,” Fleet said. 

“He is looking forward to showing everyone his new game plan and what is in store.

“We don’t want to just show up and make the numbers: we’ll have a fairly strong side on Sunday.”

With the lightning premiership being most teams’ first hit out for the season, players will be ready for the 

first bounce with teams playing in a modified AFL Nines format.

“The Nines format allows for clubs to have a great pre-season run with the matches being of a fast pace with plenty of action throughout the day, which is fantastic viewing for the spectators in attendance,”  Moore said. 

2014’s Lightning premiership was one to remember with the Pambula Panthers defeating the Bermagui Breakers on the final siren. 

The Panthers then went on to an undefeated senior season and Moore believes the SCAFL teams will be out to beat the Panthers in 2015.

“With Pambula going undefeated last year in the pre-season and regular season, the other six SCAFL teams will be out to break their streak, not only in the regular season but also on Sunday,” he said.  

Taylor joked that the senior members of the Sea Eagles needed to “time their runs”, but the team would definitely be out to get back on top. 

“The pressure is off and we can just concentrate on coming in and doing as well as we can,” Taylor said. 

“If we can continue to bring the young guys through I think it will be a great year and very enjoyable.”

It is a similar scenario for the Bombers and Fleet said the club was excited by numbers at training. 

“We’ve got all the regular guns; Scotty Hay, Adam Blacka, Aaron Wheatley, Cody Hazelgrove-Danvers and Nathan Carpenter,” Fleet said. 

“But numbers are really strong at training and there are a lot of new young blokes down there.

“I think the key will just be being competitive and that is what Chris is after. 

“You’ll see a much fitter side this year, but that is probably due to the change in coaches,” he said with a laugh. 

The Lightning Premiership launches at the Eden Football Ground on Sunday from 9.30am. 

Entry is free with round robin matches to be held across the day and a final at 3.20pm. 

Full canteen services will be available on the day thanks to the Eden Whalers FC.

“The Whalers have been great with their organisation of the Lightning Premiership and the day is shaping to be a fantastic day with clubs bringing marquees to create a carnival like atmosphere,” Moore said. 

The Sea Eagles and Bombers are urging their supporters to attend. 

“We always encourage the supporters and for the new recruits they will come across with the idea of support for the club,” Taylor said. 

Meanwhile Fleet said the Bombers described Bega fans as “amazingly supportive”. 

“With Chris at the helm we’ll see how we go, we just want to see the fans getting around the club as they do here in Bega,” Fleet said. 

“We are all Bega, whether we be Bombers, Devils or Roosters.”