Australia's top players will be hoping to impress the home fans at the Oceania Para Badminton Championships in Geelong ©IPC

The final major tournament of 2018 is to be staged in Geelong in Australia from tomorrow as the top players from the region contest the Oceania Para Badminton Championships.

A total of 22 athletes will compete for titles across seven medal events in the Badminton World Federation (BWF)-sanctioned event at the Leisuretime Centre. 

The competition is due to conclude on Tuesday (November 27) and follows immediately after the conclusion of the Australian International Open.

National champions Caitlin Dransfield and Luke Missen are looking forward to their home tournament.

"It's great to have the opportunity to compete at an international event so close to home," said Missen.

It will also be a chance to gain valuable experience before the sport makes its Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

Badminton will be making its Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020 ©IPC
Badminton will be making its Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020 ©IPC

"I look forward to testing myself against some of the best in the world ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic qualifying period," added Dransfield.

Celine Vinot will look to challenge compatriot Dransfield in the SL3-SL4 competition in one of several national match-ups.

The Oceania Para Badminton Championships are held every two years and only open to countries that are included in the region.

In each discipline, athletes are classified into six categories to ensure fairness in competition.

In addition to the tournament, the BWF will also be hosting information sessions and sending specialist Para-badminton officials to the event.

This will help train Oceania representatives for possible roles at Tokyo 2020 and beyond.