Defending champions Sliema have been drawn to face San Giljan in the opening match of the season on Friday 10 June. It will be followed immediately buy the clash between Sirens and Valletta. On the following day, Neptunes face Marsaxlokk while Marsascala will be playing against Exiles.

After the winter league had to be cancelled because of the refurbishment at the Tal-Qroqq national pool, the summer league will see ten teams in action, but it is already obvious that it will be hard fought between the usual four big guns, that is, Sliema, Neptunes, Sirens and Marsascala.

The other teams in the competition are Exiles, San Giljan, Marsaxlokk, Ta’ Xbiex and Otters of Gozo.

Ta’ Xbiex and Otters will not be taking part in the opening phase and will only compete in the Second Division proper.

The points gathered by the eight teams in the opening phase will be carried over to the second phase with Ta’ Xbiex and Otters starting on zero points.

The draws for the competition were made on Tuesday evening, when the president of the ASA, Robert Ebejer, also announced that the matches played on 23 July, that is Marsacala-Neptunes and Sliema-Sirens, besides being games in connection with the first round, will also be playing for the Ghaqda Kittieba Sport Trophy and for the President’s Cup respectively.

For the first time in several years, the ASA will be organising the league without the assistance of a main sponsor.