Are you getting the most as a coach from your planning software? Technical competency can really help with planning good sessions, but obviously involves learning an additional set of skills. SOA has a wealth of support available amongst its active members, ably demonstrated at the most recent online Coach CPD session on Wednesday evening. We had an excellent session led by Lynne Walker (BASOC) on using Condes for coaching, with coaches from clubs including FVO, Interlopers, INVOC, Moravian and TAY getting together to learn some very useful tools and tricks.
It’s that time when British Orienteering recognise the contribution that all our wonderful volunteers have made to the sport during the preceding year. 2024 was a busy year for all of us in Scottish Orienteering from major events including WOC, through to local events, club and squad coaching, mapping and all the hard work that goes on in committees to keep our clubs running. If you know someone who deserves recognition for all their hard work please nominate them for one of the awards. Nominations are open for the following categories and close on Monday 17th March
Our wonderful sport relies heavily on volunteers who have built up loads of experience over the years in a multitude of roles – coaching, officiating at events, serving on the committee, running SI, organising weekends away and generally helping out. All of you who do these jobs have a lot to pass onto new people coming into those roles. Working with experienced volunteers complements the training that formal courses provide and is a vital part in ensuring succession on the volunteer front.
An initial, unassessed course for orienteers who are interested in getting involved in coaching. This course will give you the basics and get you on the pathway to becoming a coach. Also useful for qualified coaches in need of a refresher.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Run mostly online, with a practical club supported element, this course will be held over 4 sessions.
Weeks 1, 2 & 4 – 1.5 hrs online weekday evenings. W/b 26th May, 2nd Jun and 16th Jun exact day tbd by popular vote.
Week 3 – club based self-evaluated practical session. Practical session by negotiation with club mentor.
COURSE CONTENT:
Discussion based learning around what to coach and how to coach orienteering; practical self and peer evaluated exercises.
PRE-REQUISITES:
Competent orienteers at least at TD3
Age 16+ ( open to negotiation for exceptional candidates)
You must be able to arrange a practical exercise with either a club coach or a local school/youth organisation within the time frame of the course, ideally between online sessions 2 & 3 but anytime before session 4. You will be supported in this process.
COST:
£50 per person (non-members £75)
OTHER NOTES:
This course is a pre-requisite for the SCCO Level 5: Club Coach course.
REGISTRATION
Book online through the Google form or contact Suzanne Robins-Bird with any questions. Closing date for applications is 12th May 2025
In an effort to assist clubs and individuals to plan training to qualify volunteers and keep them up to date, we have gradually been moving towards a more predictable training programme that will run on an annual cycle. Obviously this will have to incorporate a degree of flexibility to accommodate the events calendar, school and university holidays but on the whole we will try and run the same courses at more or less the same time every year.
The Scottish Elite and Development Squad (SEDS) helps Scottish-based orienteering athletes to reach their potential and promotes top quality training which is open to all athletes currently at TD5. It also offers an opportunity for ScotJOS leavers and orienteers aged between 18 – 39 to stay in the sport and develop their skills with a programme of coaching and social trips. The training programme is currently organised by SOA’s performance manager Graham Gristwood – grahamgristwood@scottish-orienteering.org.
Our great sport always needs people to help introduce others to a fantastic new activity or support those already participating to be the best they can. These people are our coaches and we have a variety of courses to train you to join their ranks – it’s easier than you think.
This online Event Safety and Welfare (ESW) workshop is aimed at all who orienteer – whether you are a coach, a competitor, an event official (planner or organiser) or helper. It is a suitable refresher for those who have attended the course before – there are some new materials!
This course will be run online via zoom using Google tools and is free to members.
This online Event Safety and Welfare (ESW) workshop is aimed at all who orienteer – whether you are a coach, a competitor, an event official (planner or organiser) or helper. It is a suitable refresher for those who have attended the course before – there are some new materials!
This course will be run online via zoom using Google tools and is free to members.
This in-person Event Safety and Welfare (ESW) workshop is aimed at all who orienteer – whether you are a coach, a competitor, an event official (planner or organiser) or helper. It is a suitable refresher for those who have attended the course before – there are some new materials!
This course will be run in person in Edinburgh – venue tbd – and is free to members.
