Bridgetown (Barbados), May 10 (IANS/CMC): Barbados will host, for the first time, a world contest for supremacy in long range rifle shooting known as the Australia Match.

The historic event, dating back to 1907, features defending champions Britain competing against teams from Australia, Canada, the Channel Islands as well as the West Indies fullbore rifle team, reports CMC.

Regional shooters will travel to Barbados from Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, Antigua/Barbuda and Bermuda for the event carded to begin May 17.

The 21-member Britain team is expected to prove a difficult challenge in the Australia match as the defending champion is with a host of experienced shooters, including its captain Nigel Penn, who toured the West Indies on three previous occasions.

Six of the team members have represented Britain at the Commonwealth Games.

The prestigious Australian Match follows next week’s West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championship, in Barbados.

However, prior to the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championship, regional and international shooters will compete in individual competition, which is expected to be the main criteria for selection of the West Indies team for the Australia match.