Taking selection in her stride

MARION VAN DIJK/The Nelson Mail

LITTLE HOOPLA: Marlene McCaa will be out to do her best for her country.

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Richmond's Marlene McCaa is living proof that it's never too late to realise your sporting ambitions.

The 72-year-old housewife has been named in a 12-strong New Zealand team to contest the world women's golf croquet championships in the Melbourne suburb of Cairnlea from November 21-28.

She's the only Nelsonian and one of only four South Islanders named in the side.

Although McCaa has been involved with the sport as a member of the Richmond Golf Croquet Club for eight years, her selection came as a genuine surprise.

In fact, it was only by word of mouth that she initially learned of her selection after the team was officially posted on the internet, which she doesn't have.

It was several weeks after April's trials in Napier that the team was finally named, with McCaa never holding any realistic hopes of selection.

"I thought I'd never make it. I was in a group of so many [at the trials]," she said.

It is the first time she has been selected in a national side.

"It's certainly a big occasion for me, quite nerve-racking."

She'll be part of a 56-strong field in Australia, with the competition to be played in eight blocks of seven players. The top four in each group will progress to the top 32, with the remaining players contesting a plate competition.

Included among the field is a team of eight Egyptians, who McCaa said were currently regarded as the strongest players in the game.

She's certainly in top form after beating a field of eight, including several of the region's leading male players, to win a Labour Weekend Nelson handicap tournament. But she's not setting herself any unrealistic goals at her first world championship event, simply looking to soak up the experience.

"I'll be there just learning, but I'll enjoy myself and do my best for the country."