In a friendly-social competition, five teams have expressed an interest fielding a C Reserve team at the latest association meeting.

Association's 2020 president Amy Hurley said clubs across the league were "enthusiastic" about the prospect.

"The idea was floated at a meeting last season by some of the clubs," she said.

"They found they had a lot of players for their C Grade team.

"This year will be run just as a trial with scoring but with no ladders, finals or votes.

"Other clubs who haven't got the capacity to fill a side for the season are fully supporting the trial and are hoping to be able to secure the players to field a side in the future."

READ MORE: Wimmera Netball Association introduces C Reserve for 2020 season

Great Western, Moyston-Willaura, Penshurst, Ararat and Carmut will all field teams in the new grade. Hurley said the new grade offered the option of playing netball to a wider group of players.

"We can look at the players who are nearing retirement but just aren't quite there yet," she said.

"C Reserve gives those players an option to be able to continue playing the game and being part of a club, as a player, for longer.

"It can appeal to shift workers as well. There isn't the need to take every weekend off as there isn't as much pressure to strive for finals.

"It's a fantastic step up for junior players to get some experience playing senior netball."

Hurley said in an ideal world junior players would step straight into an A or B grade side.

"Sometimes, there isn't room for them in a side or players need some more experience before they take the step up," she said.

"C Reserve will allow more pathways within the sport and make it easier to develop players as required."

Hurley said she was advised at the association meeting all clubs would be fielding all senior sides this season.

"This is really exciting and it's really promising across the association," she said.

"There are three clubs who are struggling to field some junior age groups so as an association we are encouraging any players who are out there considering wanting to play to get in touch with their local club."

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