The Southland Shears have joined the list of cancellations now affecting more than a third of the competitions on the 2021-2022 Shearing Sports New Zealand calendar.

Tuesdays decision brings to at least 20, the number of competitions that have been cancelled because of the Covid-19 crisis. 

There were 59 on the calendar at the start of the season, and those cancelled include 11 which had been scheduled for the New Year, including glamour event, the Golden Shears.

The Southland Shears, incorporating the New Zealand Crossbred Lambs Shearing and Woolhandling Championships, were to have been held at Winton Racecourse on January 15.

Shearing Sports New Zealand chairman Sir David Fagan acknowledged the testing times for organisers who have had to consider how late in the planning they can go before making the ultimate decision (usually the point at which pre-competition costs start accruing), issues of whether they will have enough people on the day based on regulations for the staging of events, the unique natures of their facilities, and the consequences of having to cancel in the last days or even on the day of the event.

It also includes whether they can go ahead with reduced support, extra costs and in a reduced format, which may be the case particularly in attempts to stage shearing sports where A and P shows of which they are part have been downsized to competitor-only events or cancelled.

“Ultimately it’s all about safety, and all of the committees are desperate to keep their competitions going for the benefit of the competitors, and the sponsors and supporters – if they can,” he said.

“For some there are no options, and all around it is stressing and all are disappointed when they have to call off their events.”