THE 2015 Netball Jamaica/Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL)-sponsored Major and Minor League netball competitions get under way today at the Leila Robinson Courts, starting at 2:00 pm.

Matches have been scheduled for the Leila Robinson Courts, which were ordered closed recently due to electrical issues, as well as slippery underfoot conditions on the courts after rainfall.

Prior to the start of the SVL Major and Minor League matches, there will be an opening and parade ceremony of the participating clubs to be held inside the National Arena, beginning at 1:00 pm.

Fourteen teams will participate in the Major League, while 36 teams are in the Minor League which has been divided into four zones of nine teams each. There will be new champions to be crowned in both leagues, as last year’s Major League champions University of the West Indies (UWI) Pelicans have not entered, while Pembroke Hall, winners of the Minor League last year, have been promoted to the Intermediate League.

The Major League competition promises to be very competitive this season as the semi-professional league, which is in its second year, will take away a majority of the top players from the respective clubs.

However, the Winston Nevers-coached Jamalco, who lost in last year’s final to the Conrad Parkes-coached UWI Pelicans 48-38, should be the hot favourites to claim the crown, but will have the Janet Guy-coached Mico ‘B’, winners of the JNBS Open League, as their biggest opponent.

Some of the other teams to watch are Waulgrovians ‘A’, Waulgrovians ‘B’, Mico ‘A’, Cablepro, Molynes United ‘A’, Friendship and Alpha ‘A’.

Several other teams should not be left out of the challenge as they too are capable of qualifying for the quarter-finals or the semi-finals.

The Minor League should be much harder to select the teams who will likely be in the quarter-finals as they are evenly balanced in terms of playing standard.

Matches scheduled this afternoon in the Minor League are as follows: Tantrum vs Boulevard Baptist ‘B’; Top Mountain Flames vs Rollington Town ‘A’; Waterhouse Flames vs Maxfield Park ‘B’; Department of Correctional Services vs Global United ‘A’ at 2:00 pm.

Genesis vs Sports and Games ‘B’; Fresh Approach vs Tivoli ‘B’; Global United ‘B’ vs Molynes United ‘C’; Greenwich Town vs Jobs Lane ‘B’ at 3:00 pm.

Wolmer’s vs Alexander Strikers ‘B’; Drewsland vs Rollington Town ‘B’; EXED Saints vs Queen’s Park; Jetsetters ‘C’ vs Liguanea United ‘A’ at 4:00 pm.

At 5:00 pm, Police ‘C’ vs Arnett Gardens ‘B’; Spanish Town vs Ocho Rios Magics; Upper Camp vs Jetsetters ‘B’; Alpha ‘B’ vs De La Vega.

Major League matches scheduled for today at 6:00 pm, Police ‘A’ vs Alpha ‘A’; Waulgrovians ‘A’ vs Mico ‘B’; Cablepro vs Jetsetters ‘A’. At 7:30 pm, Waulgrovians ‘B’ vs Mico ‘A’; Blades United ‘A’ vs Liguanea United ‘A’; Friendship vs Jamalco.

Meanwhile, the 14 teams competing in the Major League competition to be played for one hour are Jamalco last year’s beaten finalist Mico ‘A’, Mico ‘B’, Police ‘A’, Waulgrovians ‘A’, Molynes United ‘A’, Blades United ‘A’, Cablepro, Alpha ‘A’, Tivoli ‘A’, Jetsetters ‘A’ and Liguanea United ‘A’.