They came agonisingly close last season when they met the Perth Scorchers in the men’s and women’s grand final. 

But the Sixers could not pull off the feat. 

While the women claimed the title, the men were thumped nine wickets.

On Tuesday, December 12, the women will meet Perth again in a Big Bash League match at 12pm, before the men play a warm-up fixture against the Hobart Hurricanes at 4.30pm. 

It’s a week before the Sixers open the new Big Bash League in the Sydney derby against the Thunder.

Championship-winning bowler Lauren Smith said the Sixers can find another level this season.

“We’re all very excited to get back into it,” she said. 

“I really love our team, we all get along really well, but being the champions, all the other teams are going to be firing and ready to catch us.

“We’re all training really well and working hard to get better, it’s going to be a really good season.”

The Sixers first played a trial at North Dalton Park in 2014 against Sydney grade and Wollongong representative players.

“This is the first time that we’ve been able to play a warm-up game against another BBL team,” general manager Dominic Remond said. 

“So it’s a real coup to have it down here in Wollongong.”

The Big Bash fixtures will come after Dalton Park hosted a Sheffield Shield fixture between NSW and Tasmania last season, where George Bailey starred with an unbeaten double century in the rain-affected draw.

Wollongong also hosted the Australian Country Championships, won by Queensland.