While some may be getting excited for the Indians coming to town, local cricketers are facing their own challenges.

Olympic qualification is on the cards for a young Northland athlete, but he is appealing to the local community for support to get there.

A Kaitaia cricket umpire is in line to be named New Zealand's most popular on-field official in the Specsavers' Favourite Cricket Umpire competition.

Future Northland player Winston Stanley will this evening pull on the Highlanders jersey for the first time as he prepares to start their pre-season clash with the Brumbies.

Moving on will be a theme for Northland's three-time former D1NZ drift champion Gary Whiter as he prepares to compete this weekend.

Northland's top swimmers this afternoon begin three days of competition to decide who has bragging rights at the Douglas Logging Northland age-group championships.

Visiting speedway drivers will be keeping the Whangarei Speedway busy tomorrow as they join forces with locals and an afternoon of action looks set.

Parua Bay is proving a real drawcard for some, with sailors from as far south as Timaru carting their boats up to compete in the North Island Starling Championships.