Northern Ireland are represented in a wide variety of sports at the Commonwealth Games, from badminton to triathlon, all of whom will be hoping to medal.
BBC Sport takes a closer look at eight competitors chasing gold for their country in Melbourne.
Calvert is Northern Ireland's most successful Commonwealth Games competitor with a total of four golds and three bronze.
The RAF pilot has the task of defending two titles in Melbourne - the rifle singles and the pairs.
Calvert will again team up with Martin Millar in the pairs, where the duo will be favourite to defend their title.
The 54-year-old County Down man is heading to Australia for a remarkable eighth Commonwealth Games.
Hamill goes to the Commonwealth Games as the newly-crowned Irish Amateur Light Welterweight champion.
Buoyed by his success in Dublin, the electrician is confident he can perform well in Melbourne.
Hamill is joined in Australia by his cousin Thomas or "TJ" who is also part of the seven-strong Northern Ireland squad.
The pair have fulfilled a lifelong dream to represent their country and plan to keep up their fitness together by going on plenty of long runs.
Johnston, who was named BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year for 2004, is one of the most dominant names in women's bowls.
Johnston has been at the top of her sport across the last three decades and clinched a record third World Bowls title in 2004.
The 62-year-old also has Commonwealth singles gold (1994) and bronze (1990) to her name as well as gold in the pairs (1986).
The grandmother says the secret of her success is cycling and playing bowls several times a week
McCann has made a promising start to 2006 on the Asian Tour and will want to carry that forward to the Commonwealths.
The Belfastman finished eighth in the road race in Manchester and will be after another decent showing in Australia.
McCann and prolific team-mate Michael Hutchinson could do well in the endurance time trial.
Selectors have named McCann, who rides for the Great Asia team, as their "main hope" so the pressure is already on.
From successful beginnings in football and golf, McIlroy has become a familiar face in middle-distance running.
The 29-year-old made his senior British debut in 2000 and, when free from injury, he is a determined competitor.
McIlroy was the 16th fastest man over 800m in 2005 but with many competitors out of the frame in Melbourne he is aiming for a final spot at least.
The Larne athlete made his Commonwealth debut in Manchester where he finished sixth.
O'Kane will captain the men's boxing team in Melbourne as they seek to make amends for a disastrous display four years ago.
Usually a strong force, Northern Ireland came away without a medal, forcing an inquest into the state of amateur boxing.
O'Kane is in a middleweight division packed with tricky opponents but tuned up by winning the Ulster title for a fourth time in January.
The Derryman's experience will also be invaluable to promising youngster Ryan Lindberg, also in the squad.
Perry has continued to make strides on the international stage, breaking into the top 10 in the world rankings this year.
That meant Perry became the second highest-ranked Irishwoman of all time behind Rebecca Best.
A successful 2005 season saw the 28-year-old claim two titles on the WISPA tour in Hong Kong and Dublin.
Despite picking up a racquet aged 11, Perry admits she is a bit of a late bloomer at world level but she will hope to make at least the quarter-finals in Melbourne.
|  | JONATHAN ROSS
Bowls |
Ross is Northern Ireland's highest ranked individual player as he sits at 11 in the World Bowls Tour rankings.
But the 32-year-old is eyeing Commonwealth success with team-mate Neil Graham in the men's pairs.
The duo have already tasted success as they took gold in the fours at the 2004 World Outdoor Championships.
As well as a medal in Melbourne, Ross says his main ambition for 2006 is to finally win a major WBT ranking event.
MMIX
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