Eight adult beginners braved some very wet and wild conditions at Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen, on 25th October for a Scottish Orienteering adult coaching day designed to build confidence and skills for newcomers to the sport.
The session was organised by the SOA, planned and led by Katja Neumann (MAROC) and assisted on the day by Fiona McDonald (GRAMP).Among the eight participants were two AUOC (Aberdeen University Orienteering Club) members, who were fully funded to attend as part of ongoing efforts to support student engagement in orienteering.
A pair of low key Organiser workshops is being run over 2 online sessions, 7.30 – 8.45 on Thursday 22nd January and Thursday 26th February with short home/in club tasks to be completed in between.
This informal and accessible course is open to anyone who is just starting out in organising and will cover the basics of putting on a local (level D) event. The trainer will share their knowledge and guide you through the process step by step, with plenty of time for discussion and questions. There will be take-away resources to help you organise your first event successfully.
We are pleased to announce the latest round of funding awards made through the SOA Development Fund. This fund is designed to provide financial support to projects that contribute to the development of the sport and fit within the remit of the SportScotland agreed development objectives for the sport. Specifically at this point we asked clubs to come to us with projects that focus on the recruitment and development of young adults aged 18-40 year olds, supporting and developing young adults to contribute to all aspects of the sport and supporting the opportunities for lifelong learning
Congratulations to the clubs that have received awards: BASOC, CLYDE, ESOC, MOR and the West Area. These clubs all provided project proposals that satisfy the above conditions and have committed themselves to helping develop our sport.
Over the years the SOA Development Fund has supported Scottish clubs wishing to undertake projects with the aim of developing the sport. As we look to continue to build on the new Scottish Orienteering Strategy we are therefore focusing the current SOA Development funding on projects which support Lifelong Pathways for improvement which is one of our four strategic aims. These Lifelong Pathways within orienteering relate to progression of orienteering skills as well as personal development opportunities for our volunteers.
We are therefore looking for applications which support this strategic aim of Lifelong Learning and supports the expansion of the sport within the 20 to 40 age group through retention of young adults or introduction of the sport to this group. We are asking clubs to come forward with any proposals which build on these themes.
Looking to improve your navigation skills or try a new sport? Scottish Orienteering are organising an adult beginner day at Cammo Estate, Edinburgh on the Sunday 10th August. From the day you will gain the skills and confidence to navigate with a map. No prior knowledge required – just a sense of adventure. All physical activity at whatever level you choose. The day runs from 10-4 led by one of our experienced tutors.
In recent years, orienteering clubs across Scotland have been exploring creative ways to raise awareness of the sport, attract new members, and connect with wider communities. One initiative that’s gaining some traction is the parkrun takeover — where orienteering clubs volunteer to fill key roles at a local parkrun event and host an orienteering taster activity alongside the classic 5k run.
These takeovers offer a unique opportunity to introduce orienteering to an audience that already shares a love for running and the outdoors. By engaging directly with local runners in a friendly, accessible environment, clubs can demystify orienteering and highlight how well it complements existing fitness and adventure interests.
We are pleased to announce the latest round of funding awards made through the SOA Development Fund. This fund is designed to provide financial support to projects that contribute to the development of the sport and fit within the remit of the SportScotland agreed development objectives for the sport. Specifically at this point, we asked clubs to come to us with projects that focus on the recruitment and development of 20-40 year olds, continued development of participation following WOC 2024 and support for clubs that saw a dramatic decline in membership following the Covid pandemic.
Congratulations to the clubs that have received awards: EckO, GRAMP, INVOC and MAROC. These clubs all provided project proposals that satisfy the above conditions and have committed themselves to helping develop our sport.
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.
This week marks Neurodiversity Awareness Week, an important time to raise awareness and celebrate the unique strengths and skills of neurodiverse individuals. As the world begins to better understand the variety of neurological conditions and cognitive styles, it’s essential to foster an inclusive environment that allows people of all neurotypes to thrive. This week offers an opportunity to explore the ways in which orienteering can be both supportive and empowering for neurodiverse participants.
This article will discuss how orienteering provides opportunities and challenges that may appeal to those in the neurodiverse community. It will also explore the history and purpose of Neurodiversity Awareness Week, highlight the inherent advantages that orienteering offers to neurodiverse participants, and share practical ideas and suggestions on how orienteering clubs can make events more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
The third installment of the 2025 Community Conversation programme is on Monday 3rd March at 1930 and you can now sign up to attend.
The discussion will be once again be on the theme of development, but this time the focus will be on how to retain and progress current members. Mary Williams, the Development Director, will be chairing the discussion. This will be a great opportunity to share experience, and discuss successes, challenges, and ideas for practical support that SOA could usefully provide for clubs. Perhaps you’ve come across some great tools that have helped achieve positive results, or have gained some valuable learning from things you’ve tried that would be of interest to other clubs.
short home/in club tasks to be completed in between.
