MPCA general manager Paul Pelzer said a number of the peninsula-based competition's juniors were playing with the Heat in the lower grades.

The Heat's senior team boast Delacombe Park's Luke Walker and Mornington's Ben Clements in its line-up and Scott Boland is from Dandenong and District Cricket Association club Parkdale.

"The clubs on the peninsula are where the Heat get a lot of their players," Pelzer said. "There are a lot of juniors from the MPCA playing for the Heat at the moment.

"We already have strong ties with them [Frankston] but it's about the ongoing relationship."

It is a gold coin donation for entry into the ground. Baxter star Dan Warwick and Travis Sauers are among the candidates to captain the MPCA.

There will be an under-18 curtain-raiser before the main event on Sunday, January 29 with full facilities and entertainment provided.

"The reason we have the day is for development and all proceeds from the game go to junior development" Pelzer said.

The MPCA is in the process of pickings its Melbourne Country Week team with clubs being asked to nominate players to join the training squad.

Country Week runs from February 13-17 and the MPCA will field two teams with the second 11 predominantly made up of under-23 players.

■ The MPCA Twenty20 competition heats up at noon this weekend with the semi-finals of the Jack Peacock Shield at Somerville.

Peninsula Old Boys will begin as favourites in their clash against Mt Eliza and Somerville locks horns with Mt Martha in the other semi-final.

The grand final is on Sunday, February 5 at Alexandra Park, Mornington.