2026 Scottish Orienteering Coaching and Volunteer Training Opportunities
As you all look forward to 2026 and consider what new skills you would like to develop over the year ahead, we have drawn together a list of the current coaching and volunteer training opportunities for the year ahead. To avoid disappointment, get them in your diary now!
Details of all courses can be found on the SOA Training calendar and our article SOA Annual Training Programme details the annual cycle for our training programme. We do, of course, put on additional training programmes where there is a need such as Event Safety Workshops, Child Safeguarding and Welfare in Sport (CWPS) or First Aid and if there a course which you think we should be putting on or want to know about any of the courses please contact our Coaching and Volunteer Officer, Suzanne Robins-Bird.
Planners courses
Interested in planning an event this year?
| Adult Planners | Condes /PP workshop 12th Jan Workshops 19th, 26th, Feb 2nd, 9thSign up asap | 4 weeks online evening sessions – more info via this link |
| Planners online Discussions | Online 23rd Feb 7.30 – 9pm | Experiences of a rookie S6Ds planner – Peter McLuckie – more info via the link |
| Junior Planners | next course available autumn 2026 | 4 weeks online evening sessions – for more information contact suzanne@scottish-orienteering.org |
Organisers Courses
Aimed at helping provide guidance for those looking to organise a local or regional event
| Online organisers workshops | Thursday 22nd Jan & 26th Feb | An online evening workshop followed by practical experience and round up online evening meeting on 31st March – sign up by 3rd March – more info via this link |
| In person ESW and organisers | See below for details |
Event Safety and Welfare Workshops
Anyone who organises or plans an event must have completed an Event Safety and Welfare course in terms of the BOF rules.
| Online Event Safety and Welfare Workshop | Monday 9th March | An online evening workshop for organisers, planners and coaches – sign up by 23rd February – more info via this link |
| In person ESW and Grade C organisers workshop | Sun 1st March | An ESW combined with the BOF organisers workshop giving you a full day containing everything you need to know to organise a Level C event – more info via this link |
Coaching Courses
| Level of Course | Date of commencement | Details |
| Coaching Foundation | Week beginning 26th January | 3 online evening sessions and one club based non assessed practical session (Weeks 1,2 & 4 online evening sessions (26th, Jan and 2nd & 16th Feb)) – sign up by 12th January – more info via this link |
| Club Coach | Friday 30th January | 4 weeks online evening sessions and a 1 day practical assessment (over the weekend of 7/8th March) – one final place left, sign up asap – more info via this link |
| Young Coaching Assistant | Sunday 26th April Autumn | Glenmore Lodge – 1 day in person – more info via this link Central belt – more info coming soon |
| Foundation Coaching | Monday 25th May | 3 online evening sessions and one club based non assessed practical session (Weeks 1,2 & 4 online evening sessions (w/b 25th, 1st and 15th June)) – sign up by 8th May – more info via this link |
| Lead Coach (formerly UKCC Level 2) | TBD | 6 online evening sessions, 2 day face to face session and practical coaching delivery sessions over 2 years. Next course starting 2026. Contact suzanne@scottish-orienteering.org for more information and if interested. |
In Person Coaching CPD Opportunities
| Kinnoul Hill | Sat 14th March | In person – practical exercises for TD 3 & 4 |
| Northern location | Autumn – date to be determined | In person – 1 day – Location to be determined depending on applicants |
Controllers Grade C Course
Grade C Controller courses are run twice a year with the precise location dictated by the learner location
| Grade C course | Spring – Central Belt | In person – 1 day – Location to be determined depending on applicants – more info via this link |
| Grade C course | Autumn – Northerly location | In person – 1 day – Location to be determined depending on applicants – watch this space for more details |
Controllers Grade B Course
Grade B Controller courses are run on an as required basis. If you are interested please contact suzanne@scottish-orienteering.org to register your interest.