Elite Wool Industry Training

b🐑 Beginner Shearing Course – Balclutha ✂️

Looking to get started in shearing or build your confidence in the shed?

We’ve got a Beginner Shearing Course coming up near Balclutha, starting 19 October!

This course is a great opportunity to learn the basics, develop practical skills and gain hands-on experience with guidance from our experienced Elite trainers. 💪🐑

📅 Starts: 19 October
📍 Near Balclutha

Spaces are limited, so get in early to secure your spot!

👉 To book and get more info, click on the link below:

1019 Beginner Shearing course Balclutha Book or enquire for this event

📰 Great to see wool education and training in the spotlight!

Elite Wool Industry Training recently joined Zentera Wool Company and Otago/Southland Young Farmers for a Wool Education & Animal Welfare Day near Gore.

Elite Trainer Bruce Walker gave the young farmers a hands-on introduction to some of the key skills around shearing and crutching, equipment set-up, grinding and grinder safety, along with important animal welfare practices. 🐑

A great opportunity to give the next generation some practical knowledge and confidence they can take back into the shed and onto the farm.

Check out the recent Farmers Weekly article below 👇

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/news/wool-education-and-animal-welfare-day-hones-young-farmers-skills/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Zentera Wool Company

🛍️ NEW ELITE MERCH HAS LANDED! 🛍️

Fresh gear has just hit the Elite Wool Industry Training website!

👖 Heiniger Next Gen Shearing Jeans
👖 Fagan Lightening Blue Flexi-Waist Shearing Jeans
☕ Smash Travel Mugs

Whether you’re in the shed, on the road, or just keen to rep Elite, we’ve got you covered!

And there’s more on the way… 👀
Elite Leggings & Beanies are COMING SOON!!

Head over to the website to check out the new gear and grab yours 🙌

Link below 👇
https://www.elitewoolindustrytraining.com/shop/

Don’t leave it last minute to enter the Waimate Shears NZ Spring Shearing Competition !
Click the link below to enter 🐑

NZ Spring Shears!

✂️ Entries are now OPEN for the NZ Spring Shears! 🏆

The NZ Spring Shears at Waimate on 9–10 October 2026, promising another great weekend of shearing and woolhandling competition.

If you're keen to get on the board, don't leave it until the last minute—secure your spot today!

📝 Enter here: https://book.elitewoolindustrytraining.com/WaimateShears2026a

Best of luck to everyone competing—we'll see you in Waimate! 🐑💪

Don’t leave it last minute to enter the NZ Merino Shears!

Click the link below to enter 🐑

NZ Merino Shears (Alexandra)

🐑 Entries are now OPEN for the NZ Merino Shears 2026! 🏆

The 65th New Zealand Merino Shears returns to Alexandra on 2–3 October 2026, bringing together some of the country's best shearers and woolhandlers for another fantastic event.

📝 Enter here: https://book.elitewoolindustrytraining.com/NZMERINOSHEARS36

Entries close 27th September

We look forward to seeing you there! Good luck to everyone competing! 💪

🐑 Another successful Beginner Shearing Course wrapped up in North Otago this week! 🎉

Under the expert guidance of Elite trainer Bruce Walker, a fantastic group of learners spent the week building their skills, confidence, and technique while benefiting from Bruce’s wealth of knowledge and experience.

A huge thank you to Paul Mercott for generously providing the sheep and shed, and for helping make this course possible. Your support is greatly appreciated! 👏

Well done to everyone who took part! A fantastic week of learning, hard work, and developing the next generation of shearers! 🐑

📸 Group photo (L–R):
Hayvin O'Neill, Morgan O'Neill (no relation), Logan Dodd, Wade Montgomery, Aurelie Doll, Terri Lee Walker, and Tadhg Kelly.

To book a course in the future, please visit:
https://www.elitewoolindustrytraining.com/book-courses/

New Director - Noel Handley taking over from Gavin (Swampy) Rowland 🐑

Noel has devoted his working life to New Zealand’s wool harvesting industry, bringing a wealth of experience that spans practical, instructional, and operational leadership roles.

Beginning as a full-time shearer, Noel spent 22 years in the sheds before transitioning into training with the New Zealand Wool Board in 1991 as a Blade Shearing Instructor. In 2002, he expanded his expertise into Machine Shearing, combining decades of hands-on experience with a genuine passion for developing others within the industry.

In 2004, Noel joined Tectra as a Regional Training Manager, progressing through national leadership roles over the following decade. As National Manager, Programme Services, he was responsible for coordinating nationwide "Straight to Work" programmes across the dairy and wool harvesting sectors. Later, as Tectra’s National Operations Manager, he oversaw the company’s day-to-day operations while leading a team of 11 regional and national managers across New Zealand. 🌏

Today, as Director and Operations Manager for Elite Wool Industry Training, Noel draws on his extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to ensure Elite’s training delivery remains effective, consistent, and industry led. His lifelong commitment to excellence, skill development, and supporting the next generation continues to strengthen the future of New Zealand’s wool harvesting workforce. 👏🐑