Veteran team co-coach Tony Frost said it was the first time in his 22 years' involvement with the sport that Warrnambool would field four sides in the country titles.

The change of veterans from 40 years to over 35 years has sparked the formation of a mature age Warrnambool team which will complement men's sides in B and C grades and a women's team.

Frost said the veterans team looked capable of mixing it with the defending champion Albury and the powerhouse Geelong combination.

"The boys are looking very good and showed plenty in a practice game against the Warrnambool senior men's side on Sunday," he said.

"We've got a versatile side. We're really happy with the way things have come together."

Frost said the team included centre-half Chris Radcliffe, backs Jason Salt, Stewart Purcell, Brendan O'Neill, half-backs Paul Wastell, Corey Beveridge, Chris Thompson, forwards Chris Wood, Jason Beveridge, Grant Smith, Tobi Wright and half-back/interchange Tomas Tait.

"There's a bit of talent in that line-up and three-quarters of the side is made up of last year's Warrnambool and District Hockey Association grand finalists Buccaneers and Pirates," he said.

"Those sides, combined with a few other talented players, should be hard to beat and that's what's led to us having a red-hot go in the older age group."

Frost said a number of experienced players had been involved in mentoring the B grade Warrnambool team in recent country titles but that side was now ready to go it alone.

"Our C grade side will be about gaining experience in a higher standard," he said.

Hockey has taken off in the city in the past few years with upgrades to the association's facilities, in particular the installation of an $800,000 state-of-the-art synthetic pitch in 2006 which has seen the standard of local matches - and players - rise dramatically.