Meriden  Anglican Girls and Brisbane Boys College finished first and fourth in Qatar last season and will start favourites to advance to Recife, Brazil, in March.

But schools sport co-ordinator John Ferguson expects the competition to be fierce.

“We had some great results in Qatar and our teams will be very keen to get to Brazil,” Ferguson said.

“We are doing well at school level.

“Eighteen nations competed and we are right in the mix at that standard of competition.”

Fourteen boys and 10 girls sides will play at Albury Grasscourts from Sunday with the action running through to Wednesday.

Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and NSW will be represented.

Sydney school Meriden will be No.1 seeds in the girls while Western Australian school Applecross could also provide formidable opposition.

Maribyrnong, Brisbane Boys College and Scotts College look the favourites in the boys.

“There will be about 250 people coming to town,” he said.

“It’s always well supported here.

“I’m sure it will be another great week of tennis.”

Albury has traditionally fielded a team to avoid a bye in the draw but injuries and school exams have prevented that this year.

The Border has hosted the school championships for the past decade with Ferguson saying the grass surface was extremely popular.

“This is the third national event we have had in Albury this year after the Pizzey Cup and Bruce Cup,” he said.

“Everyone is looking forward to coming back.

“The courts are outstanding.

“We couldn’t believe it at the Bruce Cup as the bounce just got better and better as the week went on.”

Pennant was played at the grasscourts for the first time last weekend after rain made the courts unplayable during October.