Wales may not have done well in rugby and football this year, but players in the Wales korfball squad are hoping to improve the nation's fortunes.
They take part in the Commonwealth Korfball Championships, with their first game against England on Friday.
Three Cardiff-based mixed teams play the sport in Wales, which is based on basketball and netball.
Wales also face teams from India, South Africa and Australia over the weekend in the inaugral tournament.
Although a relatively unknown sport in Wales, its popularity is on the increase, especially in south Wales.
Wales' first club at Cardiff University has been joined by two others - Cardiff City and the Cardiff Dragons - in competing in leagues and at international tournaments.
This weekend's tournament has been proposed after discussions with the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Such an event is an important precursor to korfball being considered for inclusion in a Commonwealth Games program.
The sport, which originated in Holland, combines elements of netball and basketball which consists of two mixed teams of eight who play to shoot the ball into a 'korf' (netball-like post).
The Wales squad's warm-up has included recent wins over Luxembourg and Greece.
Player-coach Susan Belfourd said: "It's going to be tough, especially as we are facing England for our first game.
"But we've been training really hard and practicing all the different shots we use."
The Wales team has been developed by ex-Great Britain korfball player Steve Jones and it is hoped that the sport will become more popular.
Belfourd added: "Being a relatively new sport, korfball is great for people who want to try something a bit different.
"Most of our players had not heard of korfball before joining, but enjoyed basketball and netball at school. This year we've attracted and retained six new players who are improving all the time.
"Boys and girls play on the same team, which marks korfball out above most other sports."
The team play their first game of the tournament in Croydon on Friday morning.