Eight teams will compete in the tournament and the four teams that reach the Semi-Finals will then qualify for the 2018 World Cup with Australia going up against New Zealand in their opening game before they face Chinese Taipei and Korea to round out the pool stage.

Having led the Sapphires to their inaugural gold medal at the World Championships two years ago, head coach Shannon Seebohm now faces a new challenge with his team as they advance through Asia.

“It changes things a lot, Asia has really improved as a region,” he said.

“Japan have made huge strides, China were a top four team at the last Under-17 Worlds and then you throw New Zealand into that mix as well. It is going to be a great challenge to qualify and earn our spot at the World Championships.”

For the first-time ever, FIBA will stream all games of the Under-16 Women's Asia Championship LIVE via their YouTube channel and Basketball Australia will provide links once they become available.

Access the official website, including LiveStats, here.

The Australian Sapphires Schedule for the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Women’s Asia Championships (all times AEDT):

October 22: Australia vs. New Zealand at 4.30pm
October 23: Australia vs. Chinese Taipei at 6.45pm
October 24: Australia vs. Korea at 4.30pm
October 26: Quarter-Finals
October 27: Semi-Finals
October 28: Bronze and Gold Medals

The Australian Sapphires Team for the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Women’s Asia Championships: