Volunteering

Here in the Scottish Orienteering Community, we are all well aware that our sport could not happen without the input of the volunteers.  Hundreds of people each year give up their time to map, plan, organise, control and help at our events, provide training opportunities or perform some of those less visible jobs such being on a club committee or acting as board members or trustees of Scottish Orienteering Association or Scottish 6 Day Company level.

There are a myriad of volunteering roles within our sport and, no matter what your interest, there is a role that suits your interests and skills. Through volunteering you not only sustain the sport but it helps to enhance your experience and understanding of the sport.

Roles you can get involved with

We developed a pictorial Volunteer Pathway (based on the work of Jen Leonard, FVO) to highlight the various opportunities to volunteer within our sport.

 

If you’re interested in volunteering with your local club, then find your local club and speak to them in the first instance about volunteering. The SOA provides coaching and event official courses for people wishing to be more involved at club level.

If there’s anything else you feel you could contribute, do let us know!

If you’re keen to be more involved in events, please see our training courses for event officials and do contact us with any queries.

Volunteers’ Events

Previously weekends have been held at Glenmore Lodge in the Highlands and usually include a variety of outdoor activities, sessions to share skills and expertise, talks and workshops by visiting speakers, social activities, and of course orienteering. We know that our sport would not be possible without our fabulous helpers but we are currently trying to ascertain how what we can offer our volunteers beyond education.

 There are many useful guides available in our Resources library which may inspire you.

Volunteer Recognition

Young Orienteer of the Year

In 2018, as part of Scotland’s Year of Young People, we launched the Young Orienteer of the Year Award which was very kindly sponsored by Tulloch Homes.

Young people have a great role to play in encouraging outdoor activities in Scotland

The award is open to all our junior members, to celebrate how they’ve contributed to orienteering, in any way. This is to especially recognise the wonderful junior volunteers who contribute to making events happen, help run club sessions, get friends and family involved… the list is endless!

SOA President’s Medal

The President’s Medal is awarded annually to a volunteer who has contributed or achieved something exceptional in the last year or over recent years. This may be a club- or sport-related contribution, or athletic achievement.  Click onto the recipients to learn more about their role and contribution to the SOA.

SOA President's Medal

British Orienteering awards

Every year, British Orienteering looks for nominations for the Volunteer Awards. Nominations are taken throughout the year, and the winners announced on the day of the British Orienteering AGM. 

The categories are: 

  • Club of the Year Award
  • University Club of the Year Award
  • Development and Innovation of the Year Award
  • Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Young Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Coach of the Year Award
  • Respect the Environment Award
  • Spirit of Inclusion Award
  • Continued Contribution to Orienteering Award
  • Silva Award

Nomination forms can be found here: www.britishorienteering.org.uk/awards

sportscotland awards

The SOA encourages clubs and members to recognise outstanding achievement, and local and national awards provide Scottish sport with the opportunity to thank coaches, officials and volunteers for their commitment and dedication throughout the year.

Annually, sportscotland Coaching, Officiating & Volunteering (COV) Award winners are nominated at the UK Coaching Awards, delivered by UK Coaching (formally known as sportscoach UK). These awards recognise the best of the United Kingdom’s coaching talent.

To contribute to the vision of a World Class Sporting System, the COV Awards contribute to the development of people. As part of ‘Raising the Bar’, the nominations for the awards are the enablers; the people who make things happen. They are making an impact locally across clubs, communities, schools and performance sport. Furthermore, the awards ensure that three key areas are at the forefront of ‘Priorities for Improvement’ supporting:

  • Equalities & Inclusion – Ensuring coaching can be accessed by everyone
  • People Development – Developing capability and leadership within sport
  • Collaboration & Improvement – Working in partnership to continue improving how we use the collective resources to strengthen collaboration and connections to communicate the impact of sports coaching, officiating and volunteering

For more information and to nominate, click here.