After leading the Hunter Hurricanes to back to back titles, Ant Limn will be taking a well earned break from captaincy duties, as he hands over to Michael Jones as the Canes’ look to make it three in a row in 2024. Jones is a man whose commitment to the Hurricances is well known (you won’t go more than a few days without seeing him in the franchise’s famous blue and silver shirt), and with Limn lending support as vice-captain there are not many who would bet against seeing the experienced all-rounder holding aloft the trophy come September.

The Elite Eagles have been runners-up to the Canes’ in the last two seasons, and they will be hoping that consistency is the key in 2024 as Daniel Tyler continues as captain and franchise owner, and Rob Mack is confirmed as vice-captain. Mack has made more Whack appearances than any other member, and will hope to see his side’s name being engraved on the cup for the first time this summer.

Another side sticking with their 2023 captain is the Govani Maestros. Jordan Tolan did an excellent job last term, leading his sociable side to Finals Day, and he will be hoping to match or even better that over the coming months. Supporting Tolan will be Paul Burley, a man who knows all about every franchise in the competition as he played for them all in 2023!!

After two disastrous campaigns, the Apple Finance Firebirds have gone for a radical change of approach, bringing in Max Carter-Miller in a rather boaty combination with Jamie Green as vice-captain. Carter-Miller is a long term friend of franchise owner Kevin Heazle, and Heazle will be hoping the enthusiastic all-rounder can bring back past glories for his side.

It’s all change for the Mullis Monarchs as well after they finished rock bottom under Craig Grote last summer. James Burchell takes over as captain and will bring in some fresh ideas, and he will be supported by Scott Simmons as vice-captain. Simmons took the Kushoom Bugh Tigers to Finals Day in 2022, and this combination appears to be a shrewd one which will surely see the Monarchs improve on last summer’s showing.

Anything could happen when the Tigers are in town this season, as Alex Ward becomes their captain. The Whack is made for the big hitting Ward and he will be supported by youngster Rob Healey who enjoyed an excellent first season at the club in 2023.

In the women’s edition, the Mullis Magic have made some slight alterations with Holly Minney taking over as captain. The Magic, like the Canes’ in the men’s event, are also trying to make it three wins in a row in 2024, and the captain from those two triumphs, Charlotte Peck, will be lending Minney a hand as vice-skipper.

Two sides going with stability in 2024 are the Burley Bandits and the Tolan T-Birds. The Bandits, runners-up last summer, stick with Karen Burley as captain alongside Kathryn Crick as vice-skipper, while the T-Birds will once again be led by Natasha Munn with Lauren Tolan assisting as vice-captain.

Apple Finance have made changes to their women’s franchise in the same way as they have with their men’s side. Lois Gable comes in as captain of the Phoenix, and she will be assisted by the experienced Karen Smith. And Jami Armes will lead the Avengers for the 2024 season, with previous captain Angela Green moving aside to become vice-captain.

Plans for Draft Nights for both competitions, and fixture details for the summer, will be announced during February.