Representing Canada in international track and field competition can be an expensive proposition.

Hammer throw specialist Joanna Franke, 17, of Cowichan Station, received official confirmation Monday she’s part of the national team heading to the World Youth Championships in Brixen, Italy, but with a hefty price tag attached.

“The (Athletics Canada) team is partially funded,’’ said Sheila Southern-Lloyd, Franke’s coach with the CeeVacs Jaguars track and field club. “The athletes themselves have to self-fund about $3,000. That’s a big chunk of change for a lot of these kids.’’

The hardest part is there’s almost no time to fundraise. Franke, Frances Kelsey Secondary’s senior athlete of the year, was pretty well a shoo-in for the team but still had to wait for the official word to be certain. She’s made some preliminary contacts about sponsorship, but has a busy week of training before the team departs July 2. Competition runs July 8 to 12.

Individuals, businesses or corporations that might like to support Franke in her endeavor can contact her mom Bernadette at 250-715-8954.

The financial crunch aside, Joanna Franke is obviously looking forward to testing herself against the world’s best in the 15- to 17-year-old age group.

“It’ll be amazing, especially to watch higher level athletes because I’ve never had that higher level competition before,’’ she said. “It’ll be really great.’’

Franke was born in the small community of McBride and came to the valley in Grade 5.

She started in track and field upon her arrival here at the age of 10 and began throwing the hammer at 13.

While Franke was attending the Waldorf School, Peter Morris identified her as a potential track and field phenom.

“He said she has some talent, you need to sign her up with the club,’’ recalled Bernadette.

“We always did the little sports day and I loved that so I guess he saw that,’’ said Joanna. “It was way more fun back then and it’s still fun, but more serious.’’

At that time Franke didn’t specialize, opting for “all-around because I never found out what I was good at,’’ she said.

Franke switched schools to Frances Kelsey in Grade 9 and found her track and field niche in the hammer throw of all things, something that still amazes people who meet her.

“The first time I tried it, I liked it,’’ she said. “I was actually surprised I was kind of good at it.’’

Besides working out with the Jaguars, Franke also received specialty hammer training from John Root of Victoria.

“I threw a lot further after that,’’ she said. “I didn’t think anything would come of it.’’

But a series of other events and meets changed that perception both for herself and the top Athletics Canada officials.

Franke went to the B.C. Summer Games in Kamloops in 2006. She did the hammer and the discus.

“I still do discus a little bit,’’ Franke explained. “Hopefully, I’ll improve in that, too.’’

But the hammer is clearly her focus now and she’s training with Richard Collier of the Kajaks club in Vancouver. Franke also works out extensively with weights for strength.

“Technique’s the most important thing,’’ she said. “You can’t really work on your technique unless you’re strong enough.’’

Preparations for the worlds have obviously altered her training in the final stages.

“Now it’s competition phase,’’ Franke said. “It’s more throwing and less weights.’’

She’s travelled all over this year to keep improving. Franke made separate trips to Los Angeles and Oregon as well as doing the island series meets whenever possible.

She set a personal best standard of 50.35 metres in Lethbridge during mid-May.

“Since then, it’s been around there, but not quite there,’’ said Franke.

She threw 49.10 last weekend in Langley and feels another personal best is within her grasp at the worlds.

“I know I can throw 50,’’ Franke said.

She’s at one last track meet in Comox this weekend before departing for Italy where she’ll have relatives from nearby Germany cheering her on.

“It’s lucky they’re so close, they can combine it with a vacation,’’ Franke said.