Paul Avery takes top honours | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

SPORT Taranaki are pleased to announce the Sportsperson of the Year 2007 is champion shearer Paul Avery.

The awards dinner was held on Friday, November 30, at Yarrow Stadium and was attended by around 400 people.

In addition to nominees, their family, friends and supporters, with a number of dignitaries, including the Hon Harry Duynhoven, Nick Hill from SPARC and guest speaker, Trevor Shailer attended the event.

Paul said he had no idea he was going to win the title as he has been nominated twice before.

"It is great to see the minor sports like wood chopping and shearing finally being recognised."

Paul's nomination for Sportsperson of the Year came after a great season of shearing.

Paul won the Royal Welsh Open Championship shearing 20 lambs in 10 minutes and 30 seconds, setting a new world record, on July 20, 2007. The record was held previously held by David Fagan from Te Kuiti, with a time of 10 minutes 36 seconds.

Paul said after the shear he had no idea he had broken a world record.

"It was just one of those rare shears when everything went right. All of the lambs were quiet and everything was perfect. It was probably the best shear in my life."

However, Paul said although that was his best shear, it was miles better to win the New Zealand Golden Shears and the New Zealand Open Championships.

"Since the shears started only one person in history has won both events in one year and that was David Fagan. It is an honour to be up there along side him at that top level."

Paul also won the local competition the Taranaki Shears in March, 11 other national titles and six titles from overseas.

This has definitely been Paul's greatest shearing season to date.

Next year the competitive shearing season begins on January 5, and Paul aims to be part of the two-man team to represent New Zealand at the World Shearing Championships in Norway in October.

Paul would like to thank his wife, Deborah, family and cousins Warren and Vic Caskey (who help Deborah on the farm when Paul is away), and the Taranaki public for all their support. Also thanks to Heinger and Williams & Kettle for their sponsorship.

The recipients of the other awards were:

Game Official of the Year, Sue Winter; Masters, Maureen Whitehead; Volunteer / Administrator of the Year, Graham Campbell, Coach of the Year, Alistair Jordan; Junior Sports Team of the Year, New Plymouth Boys High School Golf Team;

Junior Sportswoman of the Year, Paige Hareb; Junior Sportsman of the Year, Marc Williams; Senior Sports Team of the Year, Yarrows Taranaki Cricket Team; Senior Sportswoman of the Year, Aimee Mason.