Sargent is optimistic, however, that Wairarapa College will make another bold showing too.
They have gained the services of talented defender Evie Langlands, who played for Maidstone in the Hutt Valley premier grade last year, and will also have three of last season's best performers in captain Kahu Brown, Shyanne Aporo and Danielle McKay.
Joining them will be a group of promising youngsters including Taylor Carson-Butler and Lara Pritchard.
Sargent has had the Wairarapa College team in training for a couple of months now and says the emphasis has mainly been on enhancing the basic aspects of their play such as passing, catching and footwork.
"They are coming along nicely but there is still plenty of scope for improvement, hopefully they'll keep getting better as the season goes on," she said.
The change in format, which sees this season's premier one championship contested by eight teams and played over two full rounds followed by a semifinal and final, pleases Sargent, who says results will be important right from the word go.
"The pressure will be on all the way through and that makes it more interesting for everybody."
