Competitor numbers are up 30 per cent from last year, forcing the association to shift the event from its stadium on Cramer Street to the Arc.

Tournament director Mark Taylor said the association hired out the three courts, with most of the action to be played on the show court.

He was looking forward to the change of venue, particularly being able to offer spectators better viewing.

"Usually there's only enough space for the tables and a little bit of seating but now we're going to have the grand stand," he said.

"There's also that seating along the other side of the court.

"(The increase in numbers) can be attributed to a couple of things.

"First we've changed it to the last weekend of the school holidays . . . and the other thing is that positions in state teams are becoming more competitive."

The tournament will welcome about 75 players from as far as Mildura, Albury and Gippsland.

"There's quite a few from Melbourne clubs as well," Taylor said.

"Most years we don't get the top players come down but we get the next best line of players.

"Lots of kids are pretty even so it's a pretty high standard."

Age groups which will be contested include under 13, 15 and 18 boys and girls, with players vying to advance to quarter-finals, semi-finals and the grand final.

The association has created an under 11 round robin competition as well as an open grade, which will see the top under 18 players duel against adults.

"We are aiming to have 14 tables," Taylor said.

"We've borrowed four from the Orford association."

Taylor appreciated the loan of the tables and also made special mention of the Hamilton and Geelong clubs, which have provided barriers for the tournament.

About 20 south-west youngsters will compete in the event, with leading local contenders including Justin Field (under 16), Emma Manderson, Sarah Lazzaro and Ben Taylor (under 18).

Assistant coach of the Australian side Alois Rosario has been in the region since Wednesday to help members of the South West Academy of Sport table tennis program finetune their skills ahead of tomorrow.

Several juniors will be hoping for strong performances to build on their state selection points tally.

Actions starts 9.30am tomorrow, with the tournament expected to finish about 7pm after the open men's final.

kbutler@standard.f airfax.com.au