Don't be fooled by the rumble of wheels and clash of metal accompanying the distinctive basketball swish – wheelchair basketball holds just as much physical intensity as its able-bodied counterpart.

Just ask BayTrust Coachforce Parafed development officer Zane Jensen ahead of Tauranga hosting round two of the Northern League Wheelchair Basketball tournament at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre.

Eight teams, split into two divisions, from as far as Northland and Taranaki will take to the courts tomorrow as part of the four-round competition.

Zane says the sport is similar to able-bodied basketball where the size of the court, hoops and balls are all the same. The only difference is that a player must dribble the ball every two pushes of their wheelchair; otherwise that player will be called for travelling.

'It's identical to mainstream basketball, apart from the fact players are sitting in wheelchairs. The physicality is still there,” says Zane.

In order to play wheelchair basketball, a player must have an objective and measurable disability in their lower limbs, preventing them from running, jumping and pivoting.

By classification, players are assigned a point value from one, the most limited ability, through to 4.5, those with the highest level of functional ability, according to their level of physical movement. Each team of five players is allowed a maximum of 14 points on the court at any one time.

Zane says Tauranga is pooled with the two Auckland teams in Division One and looking to secure its first win of the season after a fruitless opening round in Taranaki.

'They are sort of on the way up and definitely developing as a team, which is good.”

Adding to the day-long hype is a mixed team exhibition, scattered with a number of New Zealand Wheelchair basketball representatives, at 1.45pm.

'If people want to come down and watch a match, that's probably going to be the one I'd say.”

Taranaki hosted the opening round last month with Auckland and Hamilton to follow this weekend's round.

Round two of the Northern League Wheelchair Basketball Tournament starts 9am tomorrow with the final tip off at 3pm. Entry is free.