Brighton and Hove City have put their faith in youth ahead of the new track and field season.

A young Southern Women’s League side will kick off their premier division campaign tomorrow under the leadership of inexperienced duo Natalie McManus and Laura Hitchman.

McManus, 22, only agreed to take over four weeks ago after former manager Ann Fielding-Smith stepped aside and has drafted in help from Hitchman, 21.

Both were expecting to concentrate their efforts on the track this season rather than organising the team but McManus is looking forward to the challenge.

She said: “Becoming manager was a last minute thing. We didn’t have anyone to do it and I realised that if I didn’t step in then I wouldn’t be able to race as we wouldn’t have a team.

“It is a new experience for Laura and me and one we weren’t expecting but we are both really excited about it. The team from last year is still together and we’ve got some good youngsters coming through so I’m hopeful we can finish in the top five.”

That would be a big improvement on last season when Brighton finished in the bottom half of the table.

They go head to head with Sussex rivals Horsham Blue Star Harriers on the opening day at Reading tomorrow and will be hoping to get a head start in the battle to be the top club in the county.

Brighton and Horsham are the only Sussex representatives in the premier division this season following Crawley’s decision to switch to the senior division.

In division one, Hastings and Eastbourne Rovers are fielding a combined team this season and travel to Bournemouth tomorrow while Haywards Heath Harriers are at Braunton.

In senior division two, Crawley and Worthing and District Harriers clash at Perivale.