The top female basketball players in Canada are preparing to spend two weeks in the Fraser Valley this August.

But it will be anything but a holiday when head coach Allison McNeill and the Canadian national women’s basketball team takes to the hardwood at Abbotsford’s Envision Athletic Centre Aug. 1.

“This will be our second training camp this summer leading up to our World Qualifying Tournament in Brazil Sept.23-29,” McNeill explained. “Our first phase of training went very well and we are looking forward to building on that phase.”

McNeill has family links to the area, and is impressed with the facilities the University of the Fraser Valley has to offer.

“The gym is fantastic, with FIBA (International Federation of Amateur Basketball) lines on the court, 10 hoops, a great floor, wonderful new dorms close to the gym and the cafeteria only a short walk from the gym,” she noted.

Fraser Valley basketball fans will recognize a few of the names on the national team roster.

Guards Kim Smith (Utah) and Teresa Gabriele (Simon Fraser University) hail from Mission, Kelsey Adrian is from Langley, and six-foot-four forward Laurelle Weigl was a CIS Second-Team All-Canadian and led the Simon Fraser Clan to the national championship in 2009.

“We are honoured to be hosting the team and we invite fans to come out and watch Allison put the best female players in Canada through drills which will certainly open the eyes of young, aspiring players and all other basketball fans,” said UFV athletic director Rick Nickelchok.

By far, the best opportunity for fans to watch the national team in action comes Aug. 8.

McNeill leads her crew into a matchup with the Clemson University Tigers at 6 p.m.

The UFV womens’ team hits the floor immediately afterwards for a game against the touring South Carolina Gamecocks.

“These are Canada’s top women’s basketball players, and to have them on our campus for two weeks is a great opportunity for our athletes and coaches to observe the training routines and habits of Canada’s best,” said UFV coach Al Tuchscherer, “We are especially looking forward to hosting a unique doubleheader mid-way through the camp. To be on the bill with Clemson and the national team is a great opportunity for us to showcase our team and our facilities to the local basketball community. I know this is going to be a great jumpstart to our 2009-10 Canada West university season.”

Clemson is an NCAA division-one school, and they finished 14-17 overall and 3-13 within the Atlantic Coast Conference last season.

Their tour through British Columbia, also includes games against Trinity Western University, the University of British Columbia, and Vancouver Island University.

Double-header tickets prices are $8 for adults, $3 for seniors and $2 for all students.