One of those is dynamic defender Sait Guler who has signed with English division 2 side Torquay United.

Another is Rashid Mahazi who will head to South America in the coming weeks after catching the eye of scouts for Argentinian giants River Plate over the summer.

Over the past two years, under the guidance of senior coach Tom O'Halloran, the club has focused its energies on developing youth rather than staying in the costly and increasingly unsustainable race to sign established players.

Last year, it fielded the youngest side in the club's 30-year history and was unlucky to be demoted from division 1, largely on a technicality, after taking it up to some of the best teams in the league.

Many of those young players have now been scouted by international and higher ranked domestic clubs such as Premier League reigning champions Dandenong Thunder, which has signed Chachi Elmazi and Peter Mangiapane for this season.

O'Halloran says he is not concerned about losing players to higher leagues and that he and his new assistant, former Pines champion John Cullen, have a stable of new players ready to step up to the line.

While the club has lost its crown as the highest ranked club in the region, it is fast becoming the area's nursery for youngsters with promise. No less than seven of its current squad were part of the championship-winning summer representative side, the Southern Blue Tongues, who cruised to victory in this year's under-18s competition.

Pines drew 2-2 at the weekend with Doveton in a practice match and will meet Casey Comets in the first round of competition at Monterey Reserve on April 10.