In 2016, all that pressure will be heaped on some very, very young shoulders.

Orange coach Em Callaway released the Thunder squad late last week, and she’s been forced to turn to the city’s supremely talented youth in the quest to score a 21st straight win, with seven of the 11-strong group under the age of 20.

Emily Brisbane, Beth Curtin, Erin Turner, Tara Nagle, Brooke Burcher, Brigette Jasprizza and Shannen Downer lead the young brigade, with the three latter players all incumbents from last year’s squad.

The supremely experienced Tegan Dray and Sheryll Selwood are the other two incumbents from 2015, while Kellie Watson has graduated from Orange’s B squad and Kristin Zinga is a new inclusion.

“It certainly is a young team,” Callaway said.

“Orange is going through a bit of a transition period, we knew it was going to happen, but I don’t think we anticipated it happening quite this soon.

“A lot of the girls from last year are unavailable due to different reasons, some are pregnant, some have just had kids and others just wanted to step back from the representative scene.

“So it’s a wonderful opportunity for these younger girls now, to show us what they’ve got. And obviously we still have the very experienced players like Tegan Dray and Shez Selwood.

“There is definitely pressure [to win a 21st consecutive title], but at the same time being so young some other teams might not take as us seriously, but we know the girls are more then capable. We’re in it to win it again.”

Callaway said the effectiveness of Orange’s new combinations will play a huge role in how they go in this year’s competition, particularly the brand new attacking-circle players.

“Beth Curtin, Tara Nagle and Kristin Zinga will be our main shooting combination, and it will be interesting to see how they go,” Callaway said.

“We’re confident of them doing well, Beth and Tara have played together forever.”

As a by-product of such a young top team, Orange’s division two side is also extremely youthful, but Callaway said she expects that team to perform with aplomb as well.

The 2016 Central West State League kicks off on Sunday, March 13.

ORANGE THUNDER: Emily Brisbane, Brooke Burcher, Beth Curtin, Shannen Downer, Tegan Dray, Brigette Jasprizza, Tara Nagle, Sheryll Selwood, Erin Turner, Kellie Watson, Kristin Zinga.

ORANGE B: Lucy Brisbane, Maddison Cole, Olivia Fitzpatrick, Holly Harris, Caitlin Harvey, Alice Maier, Anna Matthews, Cheynoah Merchant, Mariah Robertson, Neve Tufuga, TBA