Orange takes on Goulburn and District in its campaign opener on Friday morning, before clashing with perennial heavyweights Newcastle later that day and Said explained a victory to kick off the tournament is paramount to his side’s chances of success.

“A lot of the time (these competitions) are just about who shows up on the day. But for us we really want to get away with a win first up,” he said.

“If you start with a loss or a draw you’re behind the eight ball from the word go, so a quick, winning start is pretty important for us.”

Outside Goulburn and District and Newcastle, Said’s troops have been matched with North West Sydney, Metro South West Sydney and Sydney East. Orange takes on all three in a massive day on Saturday, before the finals on Sunday.

Said explained strength in the metropolitan sides is inevitable, and went on to say his players will have a tough battle ahead of them if they are to match, or better, 2014’s bronze medal performance.

Despite that, combined with a disrupted preparation, Orange’s mentor is confident his side will finish in the top half of the top division, at least.

“(The preparation has) been as good as it can be,” Said lamented.

“It’s been a bit tough to get all the girls together at the one time with their work and that kind of thing.

“But we’ve worked well with what we’ve had. We’re going down pretty confident of doing well.”

Orange boasts a side full of experience, with Chloe Barrett and Graces Evans being relative Premier League Hockey veterans, and a number of other players who regularly play in the top tier competition.

“The calibre of players in the side is very high,” Said mused.

Orange heads to Broadmeadow tomorrow, with the championships being played at the Newcastle International Hockey Centre

ORANGE: Chloe Barrett, Sarah Barrett, Ally Thurn, Annabelle Tierney, Grace Evans, Anna Evans, Tiff Davis, Rachel Hinds, Dearne Geddes, Eva Reith-Snare, Sam Mills, Tori Mansfield, Zoe Press, Issy Smart, Katelyn Duck