IT is a bucket list item that Anna Gleeson never thought she would tick off.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 39-year-old will join another five Port Macquarie touch football representatives when they head to Malaysia at the end of this week for the 2019 Touch World Cup.
"I saw there was an opportunity to play in the women's 35s and I'm turning 40 this year so I thought (World Cups) only come around every four years," she said.
"I didn't think it was achievable, but I've been working really hard with my personal trainer Lisa Briscoe to get me as fit as possible, so I thought now is the perfect time to give it a go."
Gleeson will line up in the Australian women's 35s team while Beau Montgomery (mens 30s), Warren Lorger (mens 35s) and Wayne Gleeson (mens 40s) will also represent their country.
Peter Vincent will coach the mens 40s.
The previous best Port Macquarie representation was two when Vincent and Lorger represented Australia in 2011 before Vincent backed up in 2015 alongside Wayne Gleeson.
I didn't think it was achievable, but I've been working really hard with my personal trainer Lisa Briscoe to get me as fit as possible.
- Anna Gleeson
Conditions are expected to be taxing with the mercury in Malaysia expected to hover in the mid-30s with 90 percent humidity.
Vincent has used acclimatisation techniques during some of his training sessions that involved players wearing glad bags under their training shirts to elevate their body temperature.
"I have been training wearing long pants and long shirts (because) we have been told we need our body to learn to sweat," Gleeson said.
"It is going to be so hot and humid over there.
"I'm very excited and nervous at the same time but I've trained really hard and feeling the best I possibly could be.
"During our camps we got to play with the Australian women's opens team so that was an amazing experience to play against the best players in the world."
Joining Gleeson over in Kuala Lumpur will be Tahney Luck who will pull on the green and gold in the Australian senior mixed team.
It will also be her World Cup debut.
"It's been like a dream of mine since I was a kid playing touch, but you never really think someone from a regional side in senior teams will ever make it that far," she said.
It's been like a dream of mine since I was a kid playing touch, but you never really think someone from a regional side in senior teams will ever make it.
- Tahney Luck
"I've been playing since I was about 12 so about 20 years."
Ever since returning to Port Macquarie from the Gold Coast five years ago, Luck admitted her game had gone to a new level.
She attributed that to coach Aaron Ison.
"I never stopped playing when I was up (on the Gold Coast), but I was working away in the mines so I never took it too seriously," she said.
"But then our team going good (at State Cup level) has meant we've been recognised a bit more."
Luck said having a strong Port Macquarie connection while over in Malaysia would make the experience even more enjoyable.
"Both me and Beau from the same Port team made it and Anna's a good friend of mine so going over with a good crew from Port makes it even more exciting and special really," she said.
Teams could play up to 10 games depending on their age division in five days should they make the gold medal match.
The World Cup runs from April 28 until May 4.
What else is happening in sport?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.