The event, set to feature Culburra Beach siblings Owen, Tyler and Mikey Wright as well as Gerroa's Sally Fitzgibbons, is set to commence on Thursday morning at Merewether and will be the first of four elite CT events to run in Australia over the next two months.

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Two-time WSL champion Tyler Wright comes to Newcastle ranked first in the world and looks to keep that spot when the competition culminates in the next two weeks.

Having reached the final at Qualifying Series events in Newcastle before, Wright is excited to take on the new CT venue for the opening event of the CT Australian leg.

"Starting our 2021 season here in Newcastle and running four events back-to-back in Australia just seems like the right and logical decision for our sport," Wright said.

"COVID-19 has thrown a spanner in the works of our sport and this is our way out and to be competing again on the WSL Championship Tour is great.

"These new venues are also exciting to us and Newcastle has been a really pleasant welcoming experience."

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Wright will face United States' Lakey Peterson and Mooloolaba's Keely Andrew in heat two of the seeding round, while Kiama High School alumna Fitzgibbons takes on Phillip Island's Nikki Van Dijk and Avoca's Macy Callaghan in heat one.

While in the men's side of the draw, heat three will see Mikey Wright battle Hawaii's John John Florence and Brazil's Yago Dora, while in heat eight features Owen Wright and Brazilian duo Peterson Crisanto and Alex Ribeiro.

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