Stackers in their cups at Girls College

Whanganui's Black Stacks squad members will be hoping to get their fast hands on national titles on their home turf as the 2017 Sport Stacking Championships began at Whanganui Girls' College this morning.

"At this stage we've got 61-62 competitors," said tournament director Ian Kerr, who will also be competing and judging.

Kerr, a Masters stacker, will be among 14 of the NZ Black Stacks recently selected to attend next year's World Sport Stacking Championships in America who will be in Whanganui.

This includes his fellow local Jasmine Anthony and the members of the Arthur family from Marton - Caleb, Sophia and Blair.

Today is the final sanctioned tournament of the season, with the age of entrants ranging from five-years-old to 76.

Also know as cup stacking, the individual and team sport involves participants stacking and unstacking 12 specially designed plastic cups into pre-determined sequences.

Benefits include improved hand-eye co-ordination, concentration, dexterity and fitness.

Novice stackers will spend the day practicing with the experienced hands, with tips and tricks passed on freely.

Many of the top competitors will be aiming to beat personal records, as well as those on the national, Asian and world level.

Doors open to the Whanganui Girls' College gymnasium at 8.45am, with a gold coin entry for spectators while students and pre-schoolers are free.