The world is coming to the hard court at the Envision Centre and the University of the Fraser Valley beginning Saturday.

The Canadian Senior Women's basketball team will kick off a four-game exhibition schedule, which runs July 17 to 29, against Chile and Sweden in preparation for the upcoming International Basketball Federation's World Championships that runs Sept. 23 to Oct. 3 in the Czech Republic.

Canada will take on Chile tomorrow from the Envision Centre where the host nation for this exhibition tournament has been training for the past few weeks.

The two teams will square off once again two nights later at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

The Canadians will then host Sweden at the Envision Centre on July 27 before finishing the tournament at the Oval on July 29.

The opportunity to come home to B.C. and prepare for the world championships certainly appeals to head coach Allison McNeil and team captains Teresa Gabriele and Kim Smith, all three of whom are from this province.

"This is a really exciting summer for me and the women's team," said Smith in a statement issued by Canada Basketball.

"In my 10 years on the national team I have had the chance to play in Canada only once before. This summer we have the opportunity to bring in not one but two national teams. It really is our dream as a women's team to get a chance to compete in our home country. We want the chance to show what we can do. We have made some great strides and we're looking to turn some heads this summer."

Anyone interested in tickets can call 604-859-1721 or visit the Abbotsford Visitor Centre (3461 Delair Road).