In February, SOA awarded development funding to Roxburgh Reivers to support an innovative club development project.
The project stood out as an excellent example of how relatively small amounts of targeted funding can help clubs address local challenges, trial new ideas and create long-term benefits for their members and communities.
We wanted to highlight the project, not only to showcase the work of Roxburgh Reivers, but also to encourage other clubs to think about how they could adapt similar ideas in their own areas.
The SOA Development Fund will reopen for applications in September, and we are encouraging all clubs to begin thinking about potential projects and proposals ahead of time.
This year’s focus is clear: we want to support initiatives that help grow and expand our sport amongst adults aged 20-40.
The Scottish Orienteering Association is seeking a Senior Development Officer to join our SOA staff team. Are you passionate about orienteering and want to play a role in developing the sport? We are offering an opportunity to join our enthusiastic team and the opportunity to play a role in making a real difference to the sport and our clubs in Scotland.
Scottish Orienteering is excited to introduce a brand‑new Junior Volunteer Awards Scheme, created to recognise and encourage juniors who are taking their first steps into volunteering. Juniors will be able to collect points and earn prizes for their volunteering in four different categories; planning, organising coaching and IT/results/timing. These awards are not about being the best at a role — they are abouthaving a goand learning!
On Thursday June 4th, pupils from across Scotland came together to orienteer around the woodlands of Beecraigs Country Park to compete for a national title. This year’s event was a resounding success, bringing together over 400 enthusiastic pupils to showcase their navigational skills, sportsmanship and teamwork.
June’s Community Conversation brought together members from across Scottish clubs to share thoughts on supporting and encouraging newcomer families. This theme follows on from the May discussion on creating welcoming environments at events. (May Community Conversation) Involving parents is usually key to retaining and developing new juniors, and supporting a balanced orienteering demographic. How can we best support parents to get involved in our sport?
As part of Volunteers’ Week we have been celebrating the many volunteers in the sport and all that you do. Scottish Orienteering provides a number of courses and workshops to try to assist members on the various volunteering pathways. We would like to take this opportunity to let volunteers know about existing courses and ask your opinions on the types of courses you would like to see provided in the future to support you and how you would like these to be delivered.
If you could take a moment to complete the Volunteers Questionnaire we would appreciate your input.
Following on from the successful WEST Area Scottish Championships weekend, St Andrew’s Orienteering Club of Glasgow (STAG) treated us all to the combination of the Scottish Sprint Championship and the 3rd event of 2026 Scottish Orienteering Urban League calendar based in the classic urban challenge of Cumbernauld.
The May instalment of our Community Conversation series once again brought together members (as well as a visitor from Canada!) to discuss how we can create a more welcoming environment for newcomers at events and club activities.
The session focused on the experiences of people taking their first steps into orienteering and explored practical ways clubs and volunteers can help participants feel comfortable, supported and eager to return.
The Bank Holiday weekend in May saw the West Area Clubs (AYROC, CLYDE, ECKO, FVO, SOLWAY, STAG and Tinto) pull together to deliver the Scottish Championships Individual and Relay Championships with Terry O’Brien BEM (STAG) co-ordinating the weekend. Grandtully in Perthshire provided a stunning arena and access to two distinct terrain types – open sloping runnable birch woodlands and plantation forest. With representation from every club there was chatter, socialising, junior entertainment, plenty of cake to replenish post run and always importantly great planning with seamless organisation!
