Otago Goldrush coach Brent Matehaere hopes the inaugural women's basketball championship will help keep the region's best athletes interested in the sport.
Women's basketball has been in the doldrums since Basketball New Zealand canned the national league in favour of a conference-based tournament in 2007.
That tournament was scrapped in turn, when Waikato withdrew at late notice.
But a joint venture between Basketball New Zealand and the associations promises to help resurrect the women's game.
The first of three tournaments was staged in Auckland last month, the second leg starts in Dunedin today, and the finals are planned for Wellington next month.
Matehaere said there had been little incentive for the best players to remain in the sport in the interim.
"It has been really tough," he said, adding club basketball had fallen away with some players shifting their attention to other sports.
He cited former Otago player Katie Menzies as an example.
She has moved into athletics with her basketball prospects drying up.
The top players were seeking opportunities in the Australian league or scholarships in the United States.
The rest, he said, were left with very little to look forward to.
Otago finished in fifth place in Auckland and needs a similar finish in Dunedin to remain in contention.
It opens its campaign against South Canterbury this morning then plays the Harbour Breeze later in the evening.
It plays the Wellington Swish tomorrow night ahead of the play-offs on Saturday.
Harbour won the Auckland tournament and, with the likes of Tall Ferns Charmian Purcell and Noni Wharemate, will go into the Dunedin tournament as the favourite.
The Canterbury Wildcats head section two, which includes the New Zealand Academy, Waikato Wizards and Taranaki Trojans.
Otago's build-up has been far from ideal.
University holidays and commitments to other sporting codes has made scheduling practice sessions difficult.
At one particular training session just four players were present.
Tall Ferns guard Suzie Bates will be available for Otago's matches today but has a winter training camp with the White Ferns and may miss the remainder of the tournament.
Bates is the starting point guard and a crucial member in a relatively inexperienced line-up.
Former Otago Rebel Danielle Calnan will captain the team.
Otago Goldrush
Women's championship
Sam Anderson, Suzie Bates, Zoe Cadzow, Danielle Calnan (c), Caroline Crowley, Samara Gallagher, Kylie Griffiths, Kelly Groot, Renee Johnson, Jackie Lodge, Janet Main, Chantelle McKenzie.
Otago's draw
Today: v South Canterbury, 11am; v Harbour Breeze 8pm
Tomorrow: v Wellington Swish, 6pm
Saturday: Play-offs
