Cochrane's Susan Calvert is off to Auckland, New Zealand to join forces with her sisters and friends to participate in the 9th World Masters Games.

It's the first time Calvert has participated in the games and had her arm twisted by her older sisters to play basketball in the 55 plus age group.

"They asked me and then they kept trying to talk me into it and finally I said, 'OK'. It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity."

There are seven members on the team that will fly the Canadian flag, including Calvert's two sisters and four other players from Calgary, Vancouver, Acme and Shaunavon, SK.

While many of the team members have played together in the past, it will be the first time Calvert will join them, although she did play with one of her sisters in high school. The Bow Valley High School donated the use of their gym for a few nights so they could practice in advance of their departure for Auckland.

The team will be participating in the Apr. 21 ceremonies and have been gathering items to give away while in Auckland.

"We have a whole bunch of Candian pins and for the opening ceremony we  made an outfit," she explains. "We have flags and we're taking cowboy hats and stuff like that and we'll hand out of the cowboy hats after we're done with our opening ceremonies."

Calvert has never been to Auckland and is fired up to go.

"I'm excited, but I'm nervous about playing."

Now the largest games of its kind, the World Masters is a 10 day sports festival that promotes participation in sport throughout life. The only qualification to participate is age and a variety of levels of competition are offered, from fun to premier.

The 1st World Masters were held in Toronto in 1985 and it continues to be held every four years and this year includes competition in 28 sports and 45 disciplines for athletes predominantly over 35 years old. The Kansai region of Japan will become the first Asian host of the games in 2021

Will Calvert get the bug to participate again in the future?

She hasn't completely ruled out the possibility.