Competitions Review 2005.-Scottish Orienteering

Competitions Review 2005.

A number of general issues emerged, including a desire to give clubs and organizers clear guidelines, but also more freedom to run their own events. Some organizers of National competitions (e.g. Scottish Schools, Scottish 6-day) demanded total freedom from SOA.

There was a general feeling that the competition structure was good, the only competition whose worth was dispute being the score championships.
Provision of courses was generally adequate, aside from the lack of long, easy courses suitable for adult novices and very short TD5 courses in the colour coded system.

Summary of changes approved by SOA executive 2005.

General

All competitions now have guidelines to specify purpose, rules and guidelines, and these will be available on the SOA website. Changes to rules may be sanctioned only by the SOA executive, guidelines may be varied by event officials with permission from SOA competitions convenor. SOA issued rules are not intended to be comprehensive: all competitions are held under BOF rules and guidelines except where explicitly stated to the contrary. No other open event should be held in Scotland which clashes with the Championships. Cases where the rules and guidelines vary from what happened at the 2004 events are as follows.

Scottish Individual Championships.

Courses to follow BOF guidelines for national events.
Scottish Champion trophy eligibility changed: “member of SOA” replaces “member of Scottish club” for long and short classes and “member of Scottish Open club” for elite classes. Native and parental qualification criteria unchanged.

Scottish Relay Championships

Changes to course structures to replace ad hoc, MW65+, short and medium open with a handicap approved. More flexibility in accepting entries: neighbouring club alliance rule extended to all and individual entries with ad hoc teams made on the weekend allowed. Mass start for all adult classes. Details of handicapping system to be reviewed after 2005 event.

Scottish Orienteering League

Course structure updated to latest BOF badge event guidelines, except that course numbering system remains the reverse of that used elsewhere in the UK. This introduces one additional short TD5 course, giving a more even progression of distance. Recommendation that red colour coded course suitable for fit adult novices be added.

Scottish Night Championships

Explicit correspondence between junior age and ability classes is given for use in day/night events.

Scottish Inter-club Championships

Age and points-based scoring system agreed for use with score championships

Jamie Stevenson Trophy

Rules reformatted.

11-person relay

Awards to handicap teams permitted at discretion of organizer.

Scottish Score Championships

Rules and guidelines have been written.

Photo of author Posted on 23rd Jun 05
by Phil Smith - Competitions Co-ordinator

Filed under: Fixtures/Events

Scottish Orienteering