Oamaru has named a 15-strong squad which will be whittled down to 12 to vie for the crown of New Zealand's Top Town.
Trials held at Oamaru Intermediate School in "freezing" conditions on Wednesday night attracted 22 athletes.
Because of difficulty in fulfilling weight categories required as part of entry requirements, a squad of 15 was named, the final team of 12 to be named within the next two weeks.
Team selectors Gary Kircher, Ross Lory, Alison Banks and Mark Cook were looking for strength, balance and endurance.
Triallists had to complete a 12-minute run, a beep test and the school's obstacle course.
The team will travel to Christchurch on December 1.
Mrs Banks said Top Town organisers would not divulge what activities would be involved, other than to say the contest would involve mud, water and strength.
Those selected were "over the moon" when contacted and were looking forward to it.
Already, $6000 had been raised in the community, Mrs Banks said.
A further $2000-$4000 was needed for meals, travel, uniforms and other expenses.
Any money left over would be returned to the community.
A trophy has also been produced to be contested between the three towns in the Hanan Shield district: Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru.
The Oamaru Top Town squad is. -
Jacque Crombie, Janelle Casey, brothers Sullivan and Rhys Martin, Grant Johnston, Mark Williams, Gary Byrne, Samantha Bondarenko, Tim Norton, Jan-Maree Atkinson, Darrin Low, sisters Sene and Sina Fanene, Fekita Teu, and Anika McLennan, whose parents Gordon and Julia were in the last Top Town team 22 years ago.
