Jersey will have a junior side playing in the Under-16 championship for the first time with the J United side travelling alongside the Senior team.
Both teams meet Suffolk and Leicestershire at Kettering on Saturday and then Kenilworth the following day.
The Seniors expect both matches to be tough – the Jersey girls beat Suffolk by just two goals last year and there is a history of niggle between the two sides.
There are several new caps and a whole new defence with the established pair of the past two years missing – Sharon West retired from representative games and Mary Blampied WHO IS travelling.
But youngsters from the U18 squad have stepped up.
Lauren Devine and Georgia Hickey have been promoted and they are joined by new-to-the-Island Calli Bushell, sister of Seniors regular Jenny Meredith, and Serena Guthrie who has been brought in following her performances with Youth Super League side Team Bath.
Said netball development officer and Island coach Linda Andrews: ‘These youngsters will be starting the games and the stiffer competition can only do them good.
‘It’s an exciting and confident squad and they’re looking forward to the challenges of the ECL competition this year.’ Lauren Devine, Georgia Hickey, Calli BushelL, Serena Guthrie, Sophie Holmes, Abbie Hazley, Jenna Meredith, Laura Beeston, Rena Nelson, Carol McKeon and Laura King.
The J United squad is undertaking this new venture following their success last season when they were unbeaten in the South West Clubs League.
There are some new names in the nine-strong squad, including Emma Carré, who has been promoted from the U14s.
The squad is: Lynsey Pitman, Sophie Hickey, Amy Cox, Jacy Brown, Harriet Simon, Kathryn Miller, Josie Le Masurier, Danielle Strickley and Carré.
Said Andrews: ‘The squad is always changing due to age and they’ve all worked hard in training.
We’re all looking forward to the weekend.’
