Canberra United will kick off their National Youth League season against the Central Coast Mariners at Deakin Stadium on November 5.

Canberra struggled in their first National Youth League season but are optimistic under new coach and former Belconnen United mentor Dean Ugrinic.

The Canberra premier league-winning coach replaces duo Ryan Grogan and Marcel Munoz after they won just one game in United's inaugural NYL season last summer.

"It’s been a long pre-season and I think we have prepared as well as we possibly can” Ugrinic said.

"We’ve gone through an extensive selection process and to be honest we are looking forward to kicking things off."

"There’s a sense of excitement amongst the football community in the ACT who are keen to watch this season’s crop play against some of the best young players in Australia.

“The players are relishing the intensity of pre-season training but I sense they are ready to move on, and start competing for points."