New coach Mandy Buchanan said since a handful of players kicked off their pre-season with the Surf ’T’ Surf earlier this month, it had been hard to get everyone together for training sessions.

“Because of school holidays, people have been away and then there was the Albury Cup (last week),” she said.

“This is really going to be the start for us.”

The Mermaids squad will be spread across a couple of teams at the Seaside Carnival, with younger players such as Annie Blackburn and Olivia Krygger contesting B grade in an under 18 side, while the more seasoned players will compete in the top women’s grade.

Players in the Mermaids’ top grade side this weekend who were involved in last year’s Big V division one championship include Buchanan, Holly Greene, Kate Sewell and Darcy Saunders.

Joining them will be Portland teenager Tiarna Rolph, who is a Mermaids recruit this year, while the defending champions have also picked up Nicola Handreck, who is in contention for the under 18 Victorian Country state team.

Saunders will attend university in Melbourne this year but Buchanan said she would feature in the Mermaids’ away games.

The coach was looking forward to returning to the court this weekend with some of her championship teammates.

“It’s really just a bit of fun and it’s also to get that fitness base back,” she said.

“We’re going to have potentially seven games — five games and then maybe a semi-final and a final.

“It will be good to get back into it.”

The Mermaids played their first game of the tournament last night, while today they have three matches.

This weekend marks the 40th Seaside Carnival, welcoming more than 60 teams.

Matches are at the Arc and Brauer College.