THE CWFL kicks off the new season this week with a new-look format.

Teams will now be contesting in two open age competitions rather than three with a new Premier Division and Championship set up.

With the new set up all of last seasons divisional winners, Sutton Athletic, St Saviours and Ellesmere Port FC will be in the Premier Division, making it our strongest competition for many years.

Other newcomers to the Premier include Blacon Youth FC Reserves, Upton Bears Paw (now Christleton), Cestrian Alex and Upton JFC.

Helsby, Higher Bebington Kelma, Newton Athletic and Shaftesbury Youth finish the line up.

Last season's champions Sutton Athletic will have a fight on their hands to defend their title but with Paul Butler at the helm they appear to be in good hands.

Ellesmere Port sides dominated the CWFL last season and all the other teams from across the area will be looking to address this.

Sutton Athletic begin their defence at home against Blacon Youth Reserves and Ellesmere Port will entertain a strong Newton Athletic side.

St Saviours travel to Helsby, Cestrian play Christleton and Higher Bebington Kelma play Shaftesbury Youth.

The Championship will be a bigger division and consist of fourteen teams including new comers Groves Athletic and AFC Park North.

Again this will be a hotly contested division with no standout contender.

Elton Athletic may prove to be an early favourite but the likes of Groves Athletic, who have had a great pre season, Chester Nomads III and Christleton Argyle will also be in with a shout.

This does not rule any of the other teams out though as they will all be more than capable of taking points of any team in the division.

In the season's opening games Elton travel to Helsby Reserves, Christleton Argyle travel to AFC Park, Chester Nomads III meet Hoole Rovers, Eastham Ferry host FC Duddon, Hoole Rangers entertain Groves Athletic, Orange Athletic will face Crossway and Rossmore Rangers will play Princes Villa in an opening day derby.

The CWFL Vets Divisions will also see a new format in place for the coming season with an East / West divide introduced.

Last year's Vets Division One champions, Avenue will be joined by Blacon Youth FC Vets, Capenhurst Villa FC Vets, Ellesmere Port Town FC Vets, FC Vaults Vets, Higher Bebington Kelma Vets and Neston Nomads FC Vets.

Over on the East Side Ashton FC Vets, Crossway Vets, Dee Rangers Vets, Farndon Vets, Hartford Vets, Nags Head Bunbury Vets, Tarvin Athletic Vets and Upton JFC Vets will be slugging it out.

The winner of both divisions will play for the Champion of Champions Cup.

The CWFL Flexi football season will be commencing September and will have five divisions.