A group of 13 competitors will fly the Northland flag high when they head to the World Bowhunting Championships in the New South Wales township of Wagga Wagga in Australia.
Eight competitors from Whangarei and five from Rodney are contesting the biennial event which starts on Friday and will attract between
400-600 participants from around the world.
Whangarei's Trevor Irvine will head over to the worlds as one of the "old hats" of the Northland contingent.
He is also part of the eight-strong New Zealand team to contest the Teams event at the tournament.
Northland's Penny Baggott and Gene Gray are also part of the Kiwi team but will also compete as individuals.
"I've been competing on the international scene since 1984 and I've always been in the New Zealand team.
"In the past, New Zealand has always managed to produce a medal or two and sometimes a world champion ... this group will be hoping for a world champion and a top three placing will definitely be on the minds of several competitors heading over - including a couple of Northland competitors," Irvine said.
In fact Northland members make up over half of New Zealand's 21-strong team travelling to the Worlds, due to their strength in this form of archery, where competitors shoot at simulated animal targets in both 3D and 2D form.
Plus, the close proximity of the championships was a bonus, he said.
"The worlds are held all over and two years ago they were in Switzerland.
"It is great having them virtually in our back yard - it's a great opportunity for us to compete at them."
The World Bowhunting Championships take place from April 15-21, in Wagga Wagga.
The contest will be followed by the Australian Bowhunting Championships, on April 23-24.
