WITH cricket pads and swimming togs tucked away for another season, Highlands sportsmen and women dusted off their footy boots, hockey sticks and netball skirts as the winter sports season stepped into high gear on Saturday.

After a fortnight of fits and spurts where summer and winter collided, Saturday dawned the official opening of the winter sports season.

There was no sign of summer in sight as the cool and stormy weather had fans filling thermoses and reaching for rugs and blankets.

Saturday started with soccer, netball and rugby league matches in the morning and the whistles from sporting grounds could be heard throughout the day.

The night wrapped up with the Group 6 rugby league season opener between Mittagong and Moss Vale.

Sunday brought about junior rugby union at Eridge Park and hockey at Welby.