MANY-TIME champions Jamalco will go up against Pembroke Hall ‘C’ as the 2016 Netball Jamaica (NJ)/Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Open League competition gets under way today at the Leila Robinson Courts, Independence Park Sports Complex, starting at 2:00 pm.

Defending champions Mico ‘B’, who clinched a close and exciting 32-31 win over former champions Jamalco in last year’s final, will not be in action today. The Jamalco and Pembroke Hall ‘C’ encounter is scheduled to begin this evening at 7:10.

The season will begin with an opening ceremony involving all 72 clubs with the usual dress parade where the top three will be chosen. Representatives from sponsors JNBS and the president of Netball Jamaica, Dr Paula Daley-Morris, will make their presentations.

Thirty-two matches are down to be played today as follows: Molynes United ‘B’ vs Duhaney Park Strikers ‘B’; Friendship vs Eden Strikers ‘A’; Alpha ‘A’ vs Ravens ‘A’; Fresh Approach vs Queens Park at 2:30 pm.

At 3:10 pm – Jobs Lane ‘B’ vs Jamaica Defence Force; SKIBO vs Rollington Town; Flying Angels vs Eden Strikers ‘B’; Wolmer’s ‘A’ vs Molynes United ‘A’; At 3:50 pm – Upper Camp vs Hagley Park; Tivoli Gardens vs Blades United ‘B’; Jetsetters vs SPEG ‘B’; Waterhouse Eagles vs Duhaney Park Strikers ‘A’.

At 4:30 pm – Westchester ‘B’ vs UTech Knights; Top Mountain Flames vs Pembroke Hall ‘B’; Global United vs Red Challenge; Ocho Rios Magics vs Duhaney Park Strikers ‘C’; At 5:10 pm – Drewsland vs Molynes United ‘C’; Wolmer’s ‘B’ vs Sports and Games ‘A’; Tryall Heights vs Police ‘A’; Progressive Strikers vs Blades United ‘A’.

At 5:50 pm – Jobs Lane ‘A’ vs University of the West Indies (UWI) Pelicans; Police ‘C’ vs New Kingston Raiders; Westchester ‘A’ vs SPEG ‘A’; Pembroke Hall ‘A’ vs EXED Saints. At 6:30 pm – Ebony Strikers vs Tantrum; Cablepro vs Police ‘B’; Southboro vs Sports and Games ‘B’; Blades United ‘C’ vs Alexander Strikers.

At 7:10 pm – Arnett Gardens vs Liguanea United; Payneland Steppers vs Waulgrovians ‘B”; Flying Angels ‘A’ vs Kens Wildflower.

Meanwhile, the teams are divided into eight groups with the winners advancing to the quarter-finals knockout, while the second-placed teams qualify for the quarter-finals of the ‘B’ Trophy.

Rose Town are the only new entrant to the competition and now an affiliate with Netball Jamaica, while Eden Strikers make their return to active competition.

Duration of the Open League matches are 40 minutes, with each half played for 20 minutes.