Evans, who is director of the Bay school, will jet off with Allen and Satnam Deo, of Auckland, to the world champs on July 17.
Allen will compete in the 11-and-under division, Evans in the seniors and Deo in the veterans' grade.
But while her status in the martial arts discipline is soaring the youngster remains grounded in the mode of travelling.
The girl from Flaxmere has never boarded an aeroplane let alone gone overseas.
In fact her mother, Hinemihi Allen, is of the same ilk and only realised how far Brighton was from New Zealand when she went to book a flight for Allen and herself at a travel agent several weeks ago.
"I thought it was somewhere close like Australia," says the mother who only boarded a flight to the South Island once but was 3 years old and has no recollection of it.
Says her daughter: "I'm a little nervous about the takeoff."
A grinning Evans even drove her to the Hawke's Bay Airport in Eskview to see what flights were all about.
"I couldn't believe it because she seemed so relieved to see it.
"What'll happen when she actually boards a flight?"
However, the Allens are raising $4000 to help pay for their travel expenses
"She's a natural in taekwondo and the Flaxmere community are proud to see someone do well and they'll be looking up to her and follow in her footsteps," says Evans, who is reaping the benefits of persevering to build pathways from Bay schools to the code.
"So thanks to everyone who has supported her so far and her school."
One of eight siblings and the third eldest, Allen discovered from a teacher, Miss Morton, that it often snows in Brighton although she will be there in the peak northern summer.
"She just came back from her first trip to England," says the youngster who uses her school computer. Allen championed netball, rugby and soccer, among other mainstream codes, until one day Evans conducted a videotape presentation of taekwondo four years ago.
"It was different because some sparring was involved," she says when asked what took her fancy.
Needless to say the martial art is her No1 sport now.
Says Hinemihi: "She's come a long way."
Engaging in patterns sparring, pad work and techniques give her the most thrills but she's keen to give anything a go.
Her mother says her all-round fitness is obvious.
She was sparring not long ago and took down four boys and a 28-year-old female Asian exponent who has since graduated to black belt.
"Rahera comes away concerned after a fight because sometimes she doesn't even know her true strength," says Evans.
Allen intends to go for the black belt herself at the end of the year but Evans says while she has the dedication and maturity she has to prove her worthiness. The instructor believes she is capable of returning with a medal from the colour-belt division of the worlds but prefers to keep her head out of the clouds.
"What I can say is I feel sorry for any girl who fights her.
"Maybe she'll meet her match but if she's on her game she'll do well."
The 25-year-old started a scheme at Havelock North High School to help 10 Down syndrome, autistic and cerebral palsy pupils as part of their PE assessment in 2006.
That concept has mushroomed and will be the basis of a historic inclusion of special needs taekwondo as a division of the worlds for the first time in July.
Evans is taking four Bay members - Johann Landkroon, 23, Tupuna Rangi, 21, Aaron Garnham-Pitcher, 21, and Aidan Pellet, 21, to Brighton for the inaugural event.
"We have special needs competitors coming from America, England and Argentina so far," he says.
TO DONATE: Please contact Ben Evans on (027)8573045.
