The JIRCs see teams of juniors from the 12 British Orienteering regions go to battle, with individual championships on the Saturday and relays on the Sunday. Each team can consist of 4 juniors in each category of M/W 14,16 and 18.

Scottish orienteers were successful at the IOFs World Masters Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships in Targovistje Bulgaria with a record haul of medals for Team GB. Over thirty nations competed and AYROC’s Bob Cherry clinched a fantastic three Golds and a Silver and clinched a Gold overall in the World Masters Series in M65. Karena Hanley of ESOC clinched a World Series win with four 4th places adding to her earlier run of victories in the Series. Arnis Saltums of STAG, representing Latvia, also won Gold in the World Masters Series.

During the Inter-areas weekend, with over 90 Juniors present from 14 out of 18 clubs from across Scotland and Juniors aged from 10 – 18 years old – it was the perfect opportunity to hear from our Juniors. 

We asked them what would keep them engaged in orienteering. The answer: we need to make orienteering more social for Juniors. 

Judy Bell and Suzanne were delighted to read this personal testament from a Karena of ESOC a recent learner on the Coaching Foundation course. The tutor team developed the online version of the course over lockdown and, needless to say, we are delighted with the positive reaction from Karena and many others.

Coaching Foundation

I have almost completed the orienteering coaching foundation course which has kindly been sponsored by the club. The course consists of three, hour and a half, evening sessions, delivered virtually, and a face-to-face practical session.

After the success of the last series of online planners’ workshops, we are happy to announce that these will be repeated albeit in a slightly different format. Junior planners workshops will be repeated in the Spring.

This time we are running a linked series of workshops for those who are starting out on their planning career.  It is expected that learners will attend all the workshops and there will be a planning exercise to complete between each workshop which you will get a chance to reflect on with your trainer and other learners. You will require access to either Condes or Purple Pen on a computer (tablets / phones are unsuitable for this).

We would to introduce you to Heidi Ross who has joined the SOA Staff team as our new Development Officer. We are delighted to have Heidi on board as we seek to progress our areas of development in line with our strategy. Heidi comes to us with experience of being Aberdeen University Orienteering Club President and a level 1 coach. She has recently relocated to Edinburgh joining ESOC having completed her Masters in Aberdeen.

Come join our team and help us truly capitalise on the unique opportunity that hosting the World Orienteering Championships in Edinburgh in 2024 presents. We are looking for a self-motivated professional to lead on a 6month scoping project to create a project plan which outlines what could be accomplished and reflects the aspirations of the sport in creating an exciting development plan linked to WOC 2024. Join us as our WOC2024 Project Manager!

The VHI races this year will take place in Wales on the weekend of 1st and 2nd of October. We are excited to announce those selected to represent Scotland at the event. Thank you to the team selectors, congratulations to those selected and good luck in October!

Although schools are back now and summer seems a long time ago it was a summer of firsts for us. We worked with new partners supporting the delivery of non-residential summer camps and trained up new young leaders, giving them their first taste delivering orienteering sessions.

Following the event at Grandtully on Sunday, held as part of the Junior Inter-areas competition hosted by the West area, the 2022 Scottish Inter- Club Championship league table has been updated. The updated table can be viewed via this link Scottish Inter-Club Championship Table – 04/09/22 .

After 23 events so far, Forth Valley Orienteering Club (FVO) have overcome Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club’s (ESOC) previous lead to top the Large Clubs division but ESOC are not far behind.  With an increased number of events in the north area for the remainder of the year can MAROC,  MOR or INVOC use weight of numbers to climb up the table and challenge FVO and ESOC?

In the Small Clubs division Roxburgh Reivers (RR) currently retain their lead but Tayside Orienteers (TAY),  St Andrew’s Orienteering Club(Glasgow)  (STAG) and East Lothian Orienteers (ELO) are chasing close behind. 

FVO and ELO continue to lead the Junior Inter-Clubs.

With new events having being added to the calendar, the opportunities for clubs to gain points have increased.  The remaining dates are listed below:-

18/09/22 Muirton (Perth) SOUL 8 TAY 

24/09/22 Elgin SOUL 9 MOR 

25/09/22 Anagach SOL 4 INVOC 

02/10/22 Crathes Regional GRAMP 

08/10/22 Loch Vaa Regional INT 

09/10/22 Creag Dubh SOL 5 BASOC 

15/10/22 Stirling City Race (SOUL 10) FVO 

23/10/22 Galloway SOL 6 AYROC 

29/10/22 Tinto Twin Night Race ESOC 

30/10/22 Tinto Twin Day Race ESOC 

30/10/22 Carse of Ardersier Regional INVOC 

06/11/22 Scottish Score Championships STAG 

12/11/22 ESOA Championships, Teviothead RR 

13/11/22 Devilla Regional KFO 

13/11/22 MAROC Regional MAROC 

20/11/22 Deans (Livingston) SOUL 11 INT 

26/11/22 Haddington SOUL 12 ELO 

27/11/22 Saltoun Big Wood SoSOL ELO 

12/12/22 Balmedie Regional GRAMP