Basketball appears to be becoming the winter sport of choice for many Wakatipu residents.
Lakes Leisure programmes co-ordinator Alana Talbot has reported record numbers registering for the 2009 local league.
Ms Talbot said she had been "inundated" by basketball registrations over the past few weeks.
Ten teams were now registered.
This was a 25% increase from 2008, Ms Talbot said.
Ninety players from across Queenstown and Arrowtown are participating in the competition.
The competition started last Tuesday at the Queenstown Events Centre.
Organisers are delighted with the league's increased popularity.
They believe it could be due to the success of a new open night, which was organised by basketball manager Evan McWhirter.
The aim of the open night was to encourage people interested in basketball to come along.
They could get to know others, and enrol in a team.
"It was great. Nearly everyone who came found a team," Mr McWhirter said.
"Anyone can play - all you need is a pair of shoes, ball and hoop.
"Lakes Leisure takes care of the ball and hoop, which makes it easy.
"Next year, we hope to increase the competition to 12 registered teams," Mr McWhirter said.
Games are played every Tuesday night for 15 weeks.
Semifinals and finals are scheduled for June 16.
Teams entered in this years league are Slumdog Millionaires, Triple Threat, the Long Shots, DFenders, Shenanigans, Conwag Cavaliers, 12 Bar, AJ Hackett and Sandy's Team.
Supporters and locals keen on basketball were welcome to come along.
They could watch the basketball league in action.
