The Scottish contingent had a great weekend at the European Champs in central Slovakia over 29th June-2nd July.
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This week the Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC) are taking place in Tampere, Finland. It’s for M/W 18s and 20s and attending is the peak of a junior orienteer’s career. More information about this year’s competition can be found here: www.jwoc2017.fi/ Read More…

The SOA President’s Medal for 2017 was awarded to Robin and Sheila Strain at the AGM on 20th May, for their invaluable contributions at events over many years and particularly their involvement with the introduction and use of electronic punching.
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Rona Lindsay, SOA Regional Development Officer Central/South, offers some advice to clubs looking to bring in new members. Read More…

A recent e-mail from British Orienteering described the new coach education offerings south of the border.  In Scotland we will retain THREE levels of assessed coach qualification.
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The SOA is delighted to announce the appointment of Pamela Carvell to our Board of Directors.
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Junior Pathway

– Club-based coaching is crucial. Continue recruiting & training as many quality club coaches as possible.

– Club coaches cooperate either in Area training or in informal local “clusters” – SOA to coordinate and encourage this to provide the missing step between club and ScotJOS.

– SOA should recognise ‘development’ as well as ‘talent’. Performance orienteering only one possible pathway amongst many others. Provide formal recognition of different types of development – e.g volunteering, event organisation, planning, SOA Star Awards.

– SOA to research possibility of a non-selective orienteering camp.

Junior Competition Structure

– Develop Jamie Stevenson Trophy to include longer courses, MW20 classes, plus some form of novice class to allow fairer scoring for newcomers. SOA to adopt this fixture and ensure it is rotated between clubs.

– SOA to recruit Competitions Convener, who will lead working group (including Junior reps) to review SOA calendar, particularly looking at an Autumn – Autumn SOL / SOUL season rather than Jan – Dec, and a cleaner calendar with no double-counting / piggybacking competitions.

– Explore representation at JIRCs as two regions – Scotland North & Scotland South, whilst retaining 3 separate regions for purposes of JIAs.

Schools Orienteering

– Some clubs have succeeded in recruiting active new family members through schools orienteering activity. Share these success stories throughout SOA to spread good practice.

– SOA to liaise with SSOA to help organise SSOF, particularly advertising orienteering within schools that haven’t been before, and doing follow-up work to link schools with their local club.

– Send schools packs out to clubs for WOD2017.  From 2018, distribute directly to schools as part of SSOF support. Ensure schools use official WOD platform to register their events.

Miscellaneous

– New SOA website to give clear info on School Orienteering Pathway (including all local schools leagues / festivals) & Junior Development Pathway.

Maps can be collected at Glenmore Lodge (£1.50 each) or pdfs are available free of charge to SOA members.  School and other groups are welcome to use the area for training or other events.  A copyright charge of £1.50 for the first 30 maps (hard copy or pdf) applies thereafter £1 per map. Contact colin.matheson”at”scottish-orienteering.org for further information.

Event Safety Workshop tutors as at April 2017:

• John Mason MAROC
• Sheila Strain ELO
• Ross Lilley ECKO
• Suzanne Robins-Bird INVOC
• Donald Grassie MOR
• Tim O-Donoghue SOLWAY
• John Emeleus KFO
• Anne Hickling GRAMP
• Roger Scrutton ESOC
• Lindsey Knox RR
• Hilary Quick BASOC
• Lynne Walker BASOC

Please contact info@scottish-orienteering.org if you want a ESW to be run for your club or if you'd like to become a tutor.

Each clock set has two displays: one for the start line which shows race time and one for the pre start / call up line. The start signal counts down the last few seconds with a beep, beep, BEEP to send the runners on their way. The internal Real Time Clock can be adjusted and synchronised to ‘internet time’ by using configuration software.

The clocks are looked after by Ted Finch who has more details and a Request Form on his web site… Each pair of clock displays is supplied in a robust box with charger. The box can be used as a stand for one of the displays. Tripod stands are also available for major events where crowds of waiting runners may obscure the pre start display.

The clocks may be borrowed by SOA clubs or hired by other orienteering or running clubs for events or training. Please contact Ted if you wish to use one. “Request a Clock”
The clocks were developed with the benefit of a grants from Sports Scotland.