Top class basketball returns to ASB Arena when the opening round of the 2016 Women's Basketball Championship (WBC) tips off today.
The three-day tournament begins at 9.30am with the final games at 7.30pm today and tomorrow and at 3pm Sunday.
The WBC is the highest level of domestic competition for women and replaced the Women's Basketball League (WBL) in 2009. It is played over three tournaments, with round two in Nelson next month and the final playoff series in Porirua in May.
Teams competing are Auckland, Counties Manukau Lady Hawks, Taranaki Thunder, Capital Flyers, Canterbury Wildcats, Oceana Gold Rush Otago, Nelson Sparks, Tauranga City Coasters, Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix, Waikato Wizards, Waitakere Lady Rangers and the Junior Tall Ferns (tournaments one and three only).
Tauranga Basketball Association general manager Mark Rogers said the Tauranga City Coasters side had a broad range of ability and age.