"Just 22 countries progress through a stringent qualification process to earn a spot at Glasgow and it is much tougher than getting to the World Championships," said Collings, who will compete as an individual as well as in the pairs alongside Snowden.

"We have performed exceptionally well in the past and are now focused not just on our individual performance, but on how we work together in competition.''

The duo will be joined by 21-year-old Jenna McKenzie, the first New Zealander to shoot in all three small bore rifle events at an elite competition.

John Snowden won gold in the full-bore pairs event alongside Mike Collings at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi ©Getty Images



Gavin Paton, sport development manager for Shooting New Zealand, congratulated what he called a, considerably experienced national team, following their selection.

"We have asked the athletes to meet tough selection criteria and the result is a strong team," he said.

"I'd like to congratulate them all on their selection.

"Overall there is a depth of experience with the bulk of the team competing at their second or third Commonwealth Games.

"We've also got a good mix of young athletes, including Jenna and Natalie, alongside the older hands in Mike and John."

Of the nine members of the team, only Ricky Zhao and Jenna McKenzie will be competing at their first Commonwealth Games.

Shooting is one of New Zealand's most medalled Commonwealth Games sports with 51 medals since the sports inauguration into the Games at Kingston in 1966.

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are due to take place between July 23 and August 3.

New Zealand will have around 200 athletes at the Games, competing in all 17 sports on the programme.

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