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At 67 years old, New Zealand para bowler Julie O'Connell is soaking up every moment as she prepares to make her Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow.
"I am so thrilled to be here at 67 years old," she said. "It won't feel real until we actually get on the green, but excitement would be the word to sum it up."
After beginning the team's preparation camp in Ireland, O'Connell says the squad has quickly become a close-knit group.
"Ever since we started our journey in Ireland, it's been fantastic – we are an absolute unit."
O'Connell is especially proud to be part of a New Zealand team that brings together both able-bodied and para athletes, highlighting the inclusivity of the sport.
"The support around us, especially for para bowls, is unbelievable. To be in a team that is both able-bodied and para is everything. The inclusivity is phenomenal, and I can't wait to meet some of the other para athletes from other disciplines."
A grandmother of four, with another two grandchildren on the way, O'Connell says bowls is a sport where age is no barrier.
"It means everything. I'm 67 years old, a grandma of four with another two on the way, and I play with a teammate who's 31, so I'm old enough to be her mother. That's what bowls lends itself to – nothing is a barrier to stopping you from participating."