Young Orienteer of the Year

After my late plea we have had a couple more nominations who deserve a mention.

Scarlett Kelly – FVO

Scarlett is one of our key volunteers, across a range of activities.

Event planning: Scarlett has planned three top level events for us in the last 12 months, at night, in a Sprint and at the Club Championships. Her attention to detail and preparation are second to none, as she planned, scoped, revised and replanned course legs at Kippendavie to ensure the best possible experience for more than 200 competitors. The event was also used as the 2024 Scottish Student Championship, and Scarlett won wide praise from her age-peers for the quality of her event.

Coaching: As a member of the GB junior team, Scarlett has a considerable personal training workload, but, having come out of our Junior Stars programme herself, she takes a strong view that it’s the duty of elite athletes to put something back into the sport. She’s one of our principal assistant coaches in the Orange training group, and regularly shadows and mentors other youngsters in training, having already taken her first step on the coaching ladder with a formal qualification.

Mapping: There are very few junior mappers in the UK, and, as far as I can see, no junior women who make maps. Scarlett, during a training run, spotted the potential of Tullibody village as a potential Sprint area and surveyed the area for mapping, producing work of a very high standard. She already has a second map in the pipeline.

Being a role-model: Scarlett is at all times a positive role model for other young orienteers, both in the level of her training and in her application to racing. She can be trusted to do her very best, regardless of the physicality of the terrain (the rougher and greener the better) or the weather conditions. Scarlett was involved in the medal presentations at the World Championships in 2024, and she reprised this role this weekend as she handed over medals at the Scottish Score Championship, in her role as the “invited VIP”.

Emily Atkinson – ELO

Emily has had run for Scotland and Great Britain. She finished first at the JEC sprint and top placed GBR relay team. She regularly helps at club events with Download, start and collecting controls. She helps newcomers at events, describing what to do and is always fully involved in all aspects of club events. She has planned several events for the club including the Scottish Urban League 2 in February 2025. Test ran the courses ahead of SOL 3 which was on a brand new area for orienteering. Sorry Emily we don’t have a photo of you.

Well done to everyone nominated for phenomenal contributions to the sport through out the year. The winner is being decided and the presentation will be made at the JIAs today.