New competition arrangements have meant the introduction of Premier League as the competition’s top grade for the 2014-15 season.

Six clubs – Oak Flats, Lake Illawarra, Kookas, Albion Park, Kiama and Shellharbour – will contest the inaugural Premier League title with one-day matches for the first six weeks, before moving to two-day fixtures late in November. 

The one-day final has been set down for December 20, while the season will  close on March 21-22 with the two-day final. 

Reigning two-day premiers Albion Park, who were crowned champions after last year’s final against Oak Flats was washed out, will open their season against Kiama at Keith Grey Oval.

Park captain Adam Coughlan said there is a good feeling within the club. 

“We’ve been training pretty good and we’ve got good numbers,’’ Coughlan said.  

Kiama skipper Matt O’Brien is expecting the Premier League to be a tough competition. 

“It’s going to be  competitive with a good quality of cricket; playing the top sides week in and out will make it pretty tough,” O’Brien said. 

At Geoff Shaw Oval, it’s a rematch of last year’s one-day final as Oak Flats host the side that beat them in the final last year, Lake Illawarra. 

Oak Flats president Jeff Bennett said the club was hoping for a big season for the club’s 40th anniversary year. 

“I imagine we’ll be pretty competitive again,’’ Bennett said.

The Lakers have  lost a number of players from last year’s first grade team, but captain-coach Brendan White is still hopeful of a strong year. 

“Last year was a good year, so hopefully we can emulate that; if we can get a spot in the semi-finals anything can happen really,” White said. 

The Kookas will open their season when they travel to Tom Willoughby Oval to take on Shellharbour. 

Gerringong and Jamberoo have ended their merger, and  with The Rail will compete in first grade.