EA Networks Centre will host hundreds of young basketballers this week when 54 teams hit town for the Under 14 Southern regional championships.

Competition starts early Wednesday morning with the finals scheduled for Saturday evening.

Basketball Mid Canterbury is running the event with Basketball New Zealand and will also use its Oxford Street stadium for games.

President Roasty Douglas said it was the sixth year in a row that Ashburton had hosted the tournament.

“It’s a great central location as teams don’t have to travel that far. Most are also staying in Mid Canterbury for the duration so that brings an economic boost in the way of accommodation nights, eating out and shopping.

“Ashburton will be abuzz over the next few days and I really hope locals will come along and watch some basketball action and feel the energy these youngsters have for their sport.”

Basketball Mid Canterbury will have three boys teams and two girls teams on court over the four days. Entry is free at both EA Networks Centre and Oxford Street.

Council’s Sport and Recreation Manager Richard Wood said the EANC team would be busy making sure the four-court stadium was clean and tidy, and that all equipment was in top shape for the tournament.

“We’ve just had our hoops serviced and the nets changed. The stadium will be reset each day before the teams start arriving abound 7am and this includes cleaning the courts and their surrounds, which really need it after such high volumes of people using the facilities throughout the day.”

EANC staff will be on hand every day to support the event and deal with first aid and general inquiries, or any issues with equipment that might pop up. There’s also a group swim rate for teams wanting to use the pools.

Mr Wood said the under 14 event was the biggest tournament hosted annually by the centre.

“We’ve really enjoyed having these youngsters and their supporters at EA Networks Centre over the past few years and look forward to having them back when Mid Canterbury has an opportunity to host this tournament again.”