16 Apr 2010

National recognition sought for champion shearer

12:46 pm on 16 April 2010

There are calls for champion shearer David Fagan to be nationally recognised at the Halberg sports awards.

Fagan, 48, won his 17th national championship open shearing title last weekend, giving him a chance to compete for his sixth individual world title in Wales in June.

Shearing Sports New Zealand says many in the sport believe it is high time that Fagan was recognised nationally for his achievements.

Aside from being a contender for a Halberg award, it says he should at the very least get a lifetime achievement award.

Fagan himself says that wider sports recognition is not an issue for him.

He points out that competition shearing is recognised as a minor sport by SPARC which contributes to the cost of shearing teams going to world competitions.