During the July school holidays Ben Shirley competed at the New Zealand Roller Sports Championships in Porirua.  Ben placed first in Junior Men's Figures, Advanced Men's Loops, Junior Men's Solo Dance and Junior Quartet.  He also placed second in Junior Men's Freeskating.  He improved from his Oceania competition last month and achieved some of his highest scores this season.

Following the national championships Ben has been named in the New Zealand team to compete in the World Skate Games to be held in Rimini, Italy in September, where he will skate in the Junior Men's Solo Dance.