The Balclutha archer leaves for Europe this morning as part of a seven-member unofficial New Zealand selection to compete in a World Cup event in the French city of Boe this weekend.
Mitchell is the only Otago archer in the group.
Invercargill's Tony Waddick is also making the trip, with the other five hailing from Auckland.
The Balclutha office clerk took up the sport about 10 years ago after accompanying her son, Andrew, to the Rosebank School Archery Club, run by former principal Bill Mellon.
She decided to try the sport and before long, she and husband Colin were accompanying their son to competitions.
In 2002, Mitchell won two gold medals at the World Masters Games in Melbourne and she has also competed at international meets in Samoa and, just last weekend, in Canberra.
She is also a regular competitor on the South Island and national circuits.
She and the others bound for France are trying to gain qualification points and international competition experience to bolster their chances of qualifying for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the Indian capital of Delhi.
They need to attend up to five international tournaments to put themselves in contention for selection.
The joinery factory where Mitchell works also doubles as a practice arena, with a portable target wall set up at the back of the factory.
When the other staff have gone home, or during morning and afternoon breaks, Mitchell can often be seen lining up her crossbow to sneak in some practice.
"I try and practice whenever I get the chance," she said.
