Similarly to their Creighton Cup side, the under 18s side has been unveiled earlier than years past, to allow the teams to train together prior to the start of their campaign against teams from Illawarra, South Coast and the Highlands.

This year's side will be coached by Berry-Shoalhaven Heads' Chris McCarron, who is looking forward to working with the region's brightest young talents.

"I put my hand up to coach because it's an amazing opportunity to work with some quality cricketers and great kids," McCarron said.

"I have been lucky to be involved with some of these lads since they were very young, so the opportunity to coach them again and at this level is great for me as a coach.

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"The under 18s is an age group where they are now young men, they know what their strengths and weaknesses are and I am looking forward to working with them all.

"Hopefully we learn a lot and have fun along the way, as I know how prestigious of a competition has been over the years."

As McCarron alludes to, his side features numerous players he's coached at younger levels such as Berry's Alex Dobson, Max Carr-McCarron, Cooper Bramley, Mitch Downey and Joshua Weakley, as well as North Nowra-Cambewarra's Lachlan Almond.

Rounding out the 13-man squad are Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemens' Luke Jones, Jack Lonesborough and Lachlan Davis, Norths' Hyeon Parsons and Jack Walsh and Berry's Tom Fletcher and Jackson Ingram.

"We have a really well-balanced side, thanks to some real quality in our senior players," coach McCarron said.

"Our batting will have great depth with guys like Hyeon Parsons, Jack Walsh and Alex Dobson, who we will be able to build our innings around and lots of guys who like to hit the ball hard.

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"They are all great athletes, so I am expecting our fielding to be a real shining light.

"Our bowling attack is very exciting having a really strong and fiery pace quartet lead by Luke Jones, who is going to be great to watch.

"Even though it has great quality, it's a very young side - I think 10 will be eligible again next season."

Between now and the competition's first round on Sunday, November 14, McCarron and his squad will be working hard, as they have one goal in mind for the 2021-22 season.

"You go into every competition wanting to win and this is no different," he said.

"Obviously Illawarra will be strong and it will be a good chance for the boys to test themselves.

"The 50 over and 20 over formats suit our style of cricket, so I am confident we can be very competitive and I know the boys are too.

"I hope we can learn a little bit about and from each other, improve over the season, play hard, tough cricket and the boys can represent the Shoalhaven to the best of their ability."

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McCarron also emphasised how important having a strong pathway from the junior to senior representative ranks was in the Shoalhaven.

"The pathways are super important and Cricket NSW has done a wonderful job recently in the roll-out of the zone and regional academies," he said.

"The more age-group cricket these guys get the better.

"It's really important to enjoy it for some of the boys, as this may be the last time they play age-group cricket - hopefully they make the most of it.

"Also there is that cherry on top if they perform, being able to represent Greater Illawarra at a colts carnival and then who knows where their career might take them."

Following their round one fixture, Shoalhaven will play two more 50-over matches on November 21 and December 5 before the grand final on December 12.

They will also play two Twenty20 games on Sunday, February 6, prior to the decider on Sunday, February 13.