Travelling to Christchurch in March, the Trans-Tasman competition will be the first time representing Australia for the player.

Keilar was picked up by the Australian coach Lindsay Kinghorn through his performance during state competitions in 2019.

Keilar said he was really "honoured" albeit "shocked" when he found out he was selected.

"Lindsay was one of the selectors and said to me one day at a tournament to get my passport organised because he was going to put my name forward for the Trans-Tasman competition," he said.

"I thought he was kidding but he said he would try everything he could to get me into the side.

"A few wins we've had along the way last year would have certainly helped the selection process.

"Playing in state competitions has certainly improved my game and everyone's at the club as well."

The Grampians Petanque Club member has played the sport for about 22 years - since the club formed.

"A bloke who used to own the shop had a basic set of boules and we all got a pack of the social boules and used it as a social gathering each week," he said.

"We started going to tournaments and play but were never professionals at it.

"We just rocked up and had a good time. Back in those days, there were no such things as licenses and etiquette.

"Within petanque, the more formal tournaments has certainly changed us as players - we've had to toe-the-line a bit."

READ MORE: Grampians Petanque Club's Trevor Keilar and Glenn Bovell won the 2019 over 60's Victorian Petanque Doubles Championship

Keilar said he would ramp up his practice before the event, continuing to also play socially at the Moyston piste each week.

"It's going to be pretty serious competition in Christchurch," he said.

"It will certainly be a lot different from playing here at Moyston.

"It was such a mixed feeling of being excited but also trying to work out what do I have to do now to get everything organised in time for the competition. It's a huge honour - now the anticipation and the nerves have started to creep in."

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