WaiBOP United head coach Peter Smith says recruitment will be key ahead of another competitive season in the ASB Premiership.
The aim for the 2015/16 season is simple for WaiBOP United - build a side that can make the playoffs after finishing one place and four points out of the top four last season.
WaiBOP United's home matches this season include five in Hamilton, one in Mt Maunganui and one in Taupo. The draw is yet to be finalised for the ASB Premiership but the season will likely kick off in October.
Smith said this season had the potential to be the league's most competitive yet.
"Everyone has a bit more money to spend so it will be interesting to see how that influences player recruitment, as well as movement between the teams," Smith said.
"It's a challenge for franchises such as ourselves, but knowing the standard is going to be better is something that drives me to try to get WaiBOP United to be better as well."
WaiBOP United could have quite a different look to the squad this summer.
"We know we don't have the largest budget in the league and, given our relative success last summer, I'm fully aware that some of our players will be on the shopping lists of the premiership's big hitters," Smith said.
"That's life. My job is to build the best playing squad I can, with the resources available, and then create a culture within that squad that gets the players to work hard for each other. That gives us the best chance of picking up results."
Smith said he was optimistic of building the squad he needed.
"What I do know is that only a maximum of 14 players can make it on to the field for each team each weekend," he said. "With one team less involved in this season's ASB Premiership, that means there are 14 less spots available [for players].
"While we can't offer fat signing on bonuses, we can offer opportunities for good players to play, along with the chance to play at some first class venues within this region."
WaiBOP United have made some progress on the field during their first two seasons. The franchise was in the playoff mix at the business end of last season and aims to crack the top four during the coming summer.