Having finished fourth in the league last season, the progressive move for the Rifle Park side is to make the push into All Ireland League Two and the foundations for that have already been laid.

Today's First Trust Ulster Senior League clash has Rainey Old Boys visiting the Mid Ulster club and Bester is not concerned about what the final scoreline reads.

“I have to find a panel of 21 players ahead of the All Ireland League programme next month and that is what we are building towards,” he said.

“Against Queen's last weekend I think there were just two players who were on the side which played them in the AIL last season.

“It is all about developing the players. We had three 18-year-olds out last week and six under-20s. I am quite sure that has never happened at Banbridge before.

“It is important to expose the young players early and let them see what is required as well as letting the coaches see how they can play.”

Banbridge have just recently renovated a clubhouse and that is refreshing to see the domestic side of the game spending money for the future and not chasing the names of players with envelopes!

Bester added: “Everyone is buying into making the club go forward.

“Last season after we defeated Instonains, who went on to get promotion, we seemed to go off the boil a little. It was a bit down to the fact we maybe did not have the strength and depth we needed.”

Banbridge lost narrowly in Belfast last week to Queens, but Bester said he was not overly concerned and he wanted to continue the work in progress.

“I had a player in at tighthead prop who used to play on the wing, and he did tremendously well for his first time. We had centres coming into the backrow. We are trying things out and will continue to do that until the All Ireland League starts.

“I know I have seven or eight players that will be involved in the AIL, but while they are training with us I am not going to use them until nearer the start of the campaign. We have deliberately told them to take holidays at this time. As along as they are training I am happy enough.”

Meanwhile, Rainey come to Banbridge on the back of a 17-17 draw with Ballynahinch, which gave new coach, Rhys Botha a tremendous boost.

Instonians will open their campaign with the visit of Malone to Shaw’s Bridge in one of two Belfast derbies in the South of the city.

An understrength Queen’s will face defending champions, Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park.

Dungannon will look to build on their win over Malone last week when Portadown are the visitors to Stevenson Park.

This game will also double up as part of the annual Beatty Cup challenge between the clubs, with the aggregate scores from the games between the seniors, IIs, IIIs and IVs counting towards the eventual winner.

FIXTURES (all 2.30pm): Banbridge v Rainey; Belfast Harlequins v Queen’s; Dungannon v Portadown; Ballynahinch v Ards; Instonians v Malone.