Now the 16-year-old oozes confidence, so much so she is even organising a Warrnambool karate squad for an international tournament next year.

It is a tough task, which involves a massive campaign to raise $20,000. He mission is simple - she wants to ensure the survival of the sport at her home club in Nirranda.

"It's about training the next generation through the club," Sonia said.

"Myself and others will finish school in about a year and leave for uni. We want to ensure the training centre stays here.

"It's about giving local athletes the chance to compete at the next level."

The international tournament she is aiming at will be held in Hamilton, New Zealand. The trip is all part of Sonia achieving her second dan black belt, which includes a 20-page project about how she can contribute to the development of the sport.

She was not daunted about how much it would cost to send 22 junior and senior karate members overseas.

Already the teenager has organised watermelon and icy pole drives and plans to hold a crayfish raffle at Lake Pertobe on New Year's Eve.

"It's a work in progress," Sonia said about raising the funds.

"We began fund-raising last September. Hopefully we will raise the money in time."

Sonia took out the Australian Karate Federation National Kumite title last April. She owed her comfortable self-esteem to the sport, which she begrudgingly took up eight years ago.

"I was made to do it and I was in tears during my first session. I was a very shy child and my mum thought it would be good for my self-esteem and character building. I didn't like it at all at first.

"But when I started to go through the grades it grew on me. I love it now."

In the lead-up to the New Zealand tournament Sonia will put her charges through their paces.

She said her students would endure an "extensive training regime" and compete in local and state tournaments before crossing the Tasman.

"We are working to encourage local athletes to challenge themselves and aim to promote active and healthy lifestyle choices.

"It's pretty hard to get to competitions in Victoria. It's nothing to travel an hour-and-a-half for a one-and-a-half hour training session.

"We just want to give local students the chance to be competitive."

The New Zealand tournament is scheduled for June 28.