Alistair McMurran

World champion cyclist Alison Shanks was last night named the ASB Otago Sportsperson of the Year.

Eion Edgar was last night honoured for the huge contribution he has made to Otago and New Zealand sport.

The addition of a 15th team to Super rugby could open the door for the Highlanders to recruit elite players from other countries for its squad, chief executive Richard Reid says.

Edwin Harley has retired at the top, with the recent World Seniors Curling Championships at his beloved Dunedin Ice Stadium a resounding success.

Tania Murray, the only woman to win the elite ASB Otago Sportsperson of the Year award, will be a special guest at the 20th Otago Sports Awards dinner at the Dunedin Town Hall tonight.

Erin Greene has pulled out, and Sheryl MacLeod's chances of competing at the world mountain biking championships look slim.

Dunedin dentist Victoria Beck has stepped up her training for the world powerman championships in Switzerland in September.

Former world surf ironman champion Cory Hutchings still likes beetroot, but he does not eat as much of it as he used to.

Three Otago rhythmic gymnasts - Mikaela Walsh, Sarah Morrison and Kendall King - will compete for New Zealand for the first time at the Australian championships in Brisbane in July.

Harbour caused a major upset in Dunedin premier club rugby today when they beat University A 29-23 to lift the Speight's Challenge Shield.

It is real this time.

The heavy rain experienced in the city this week has forced the Dunedin City Council to restrict the number of games that can be played on council grounds tomorrow.

Peter Graham and Iain Begg will be taking the first step on the long journey to the 2012 Olympic Games when they compete in the 49ers world yachting championships in Italy.

It is a tale of two swimmers selected for New Zealand.

If life had gone to plan Jack Medder would have been watching television in front of the fire at his Aramoana home most Tuesday nights instead of coaching a premier rugby team in the wet and cold.

The Harbour team was inspired by first five-eighth Dan Snee when they caused a major upset by beating Southern 23-5 at Bathgate Park.

Carolyn Crawford (St Clair) finally equalled the deeds of her team-mates when she was named the Dunedin female bowler of the year at the awards function last night.

Otago runner Val Muskett is one of three runners selected to represent New Zealand in the women's 24-hour race at the inaugural Commonwealth ultra distance running championship in England in September.

Hamish Bond backed up his World Cup and Olympic deeds by putting his stamp on the New Zealand domestic scene when he won four red coats at this year's national championships on Lake Ruataniwha.

Dunedin physical education teacher Debbie Hill has been an inspirational captain of the New Zealand volleyball team since assuming the role last year.