The Euskal Herria team’s World Championship journey begins

The shearers and wool handlers of Euskal Herria are ready to take part in the Golden Shears and Woolhandling World Championship, which runs until Saturday in Masterton, New Zealand. It has been a historic moment, as the Euskal Herria team is competing for the first time in the biggest championship in the world. Their debut, moreover, will be in the country regarded as the birthplace of modern shearing.

In recent weeks the Euskal Herria team has completed an intensive training block in New Zealand. They have adapted to an environment, a working pace and a type of sheep that are not what they are used to. They have combined daily training with local competitions, where they have been able to measure themselves against the best shearers and wool handlers from various countries.

“We have worked hard these last few weeks. We have learned a lot and the adaptation has gone well. The daily training, the competitions and preparing alongside shearers and wool handlers who are world benchmarks have let us see at first hand the pace and the demands of the highest international level. The preparation we have done to adapt to the type of sheep and to the wool has been as rigorous as it has been rewarding,” said the shearers and wool handlers of Euskal Herria in New Zealand.

Machine and blade shearing and wool handling have all been sharpened. To that end some fundamentals have been worked on, such as the cleanliness of the fleece, the positioning of the sheep, the precision of the movements, the characteristics of the combs and the speed. Working alongside New Zealand and international shearers and wool handlers has also given us the chance to correct technical details. Worth noting are the working sessions with Alan Oldfield, world champion in 2019. A valuable and fruitful collaboration for the future.

Full of excitement and ready 

The physical and mental effort has been considerable. The high level of competition and a fast process of adaptation have been an exciting challenge for the members of the team. With the preparation complete, the team is full of excitement ahead of the championship. Ready to face the most important date in the world calendar.

“Beyond the results, Euskal Herria being at the World Championship is already a victory. An important step towards recognition for the Basque primary sector and, at the same time, towards visibility for the trade of the shearer and the wool handler. It is a way of keeping alive knowledge passed down from generation to generation,” said the members of the team.

“The road to making the World Championship real has been long. It has been worth it. But this is not just a beginning, it is a new door opening, one we want to keep open for a long time. The first stone in taking our trade to the place it deserves. It is time to step onto the biggest international stage and enjoy it. Ardi ibili, we are one people!” added the members of the team.

The Euskal Herria team is supported by EKFB-Union of Basque Sports Federations, the Basque Government-Euskadi Basque Country, the Provincial Council of Araba, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Laboral Kutxa, the Bizkaia Rural Development Association-Bizkaimendi, Abadiño Town Council, the Juan Celaya Foundation, EHNE Bizkaia, Gu ere bai, Gure Esku Dago, Ea Town Council, Arrasate Town Council and EITB.

Countries taking part in the World Championship

1. Euskal Herria
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. Chile
5. Cook Islands
6. Czech Republic
7. England
8. Estonia
9. Falkland Islands
10. France
11. Germany
12. Isle of Man
13. Japan
14. Mongolia
15. Netherlands
16. New Zealand
17. Northern Ireland
18. Norway
19. Republic of Ireland
20. Scotland
21. South Africa
22. Sweden
23. Switzerland
24. Uruguay
25. United States of America
26. Wales