Legends of Harbour

Tracy Shortland (nee Eyrl) and Nigel Avery were inducted into the Harbour Sport Legends of Harbour Hall of fame at the 2011 Massey University Harbour Sport Excellence awards on Friday 18th November 2011.
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Tracy Shortland (nee Eyrl) - NETBALL
Tracy began her early netball, playing as a school girl in the Howick/Pakuranga district, but it was as a member of an Under 16 team that her career began. This team was invited to the opening of the Australian institute of Sport in 1981.
The team was a composition of young players from very different backgrounds but combined so well that they played in a final against an Australian under 16 team and (dare I say) went down by 1 goal.

Tracy was originally selected as a defence player but quickly was convinced and agreed to look at a goal shooting role. She attacked this challenge so well that it established a real platform for her future role as an outstanding goal shooter for her club, province and eventually New Zealand.
Tracy came as a 16 year old to the North Shore in 1982, playing for Carmel Old Girls and as a North Shore representative team member for many years. Carmel Old girls went on to secure 3 national Club titles plus an International Club crown. It was here that Tracy was spotted on the National scene making North Island and New Zealand squads.

In 1986 Tracy began as a New Zealand player and the team went on to win the World title in 1987 in Glasgow, Scotland. As the goal shooter in that team she was a pivotal reason for the team’s ultimate success. Tracy went on to continued success for New Zealand in the 1991 team in Sydney and 1995 in Birmingham, England.

Tracy has many qualities, which marks her as a person who was not only determined to do well, but also put in an endless amount of time to practising the technique and perfecting the wonderful accuracy and skill she displayed on the court. Tracy was an avid trainer, a great team member and at the same time maintaining a humble and spontaneous enthusiasm. She played in the days when netball was an outdoor sport at all levels but never did she shrink from her dedication to training and team activities. It is well documented that Tracy turned up for training having just had 4 wisdom teeth removed. Here she was on the sideline, wrapped up and taking notes!

During Tracy’s time as a New Zealand player she established a future stick for future goal shooters to which to aspire.

NIGEL AVERY - WEIGHTLIFTING/BOBSLEIGH/ATHLETICS
Nigel Avery was born in 1967 in Takapuna.

He has represented New Zealand in three Olympic Sports - A massive achievement!

It started with Athletics, when at 17 years old he was the Under 18 national Champion in triple jump. This was followed by Under 20 and open titles.
At the same time as being national champ in triple jump - he also held the Under 18 High Jump title.
He also represented New Zealand in Shot Put in 1998.

His next sport to tackle was Bobsleigh. Nigel was a New Zealand representative from 1991 - 1997. In 1993 he attended the Americas Cup in Calgary, gaining 2^nd place. This was followed in 1997 by a 5^th place at the world push championships.
While still bobsleighing, Nigel was National Champion in weightlifting - a title he held from 1996 -
2002.
Attending two World Championships - Athens, placing 17^th and Turkey in 2011 placing 9^th. One Olympics where he placed a credible 17^th and two Commonwealth Games. 1998 in Kuala Lumpar saw Nigel win Bronze in Snatch and total. But, it was the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games where he had huge success, winning 2 Gold medals in Clean and jerk and total. Setting a new Games record.
He also gained a Silver medal in Snatch.

Since retiring, he has been heavily involved in these sports.
Being President, Vice President and board member for Athletics and weightlifting, as well as attending two Commonwealth and 2 Olympic Games commentating for both of those disciplines.
More recently, Nigel can be found in the Hawkes Bay working for the family wine business.

Nigel truly is a Legend of Harbour.

Click here to view all inducted Legends of Harbour