Scottish Orienteering Association

Event Safety Workshop - SW Scotland - late May 2026
2026-05-18 08:00 - 2026-05-31 17:00 (Europe/London) | tbd, United Kingdom
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!

Delivered in person in South West Scotland in late May, this 2.5 hour workshop will cover event safety and is a prerequisite for all event officials with SOA/BOF events and licenced coaches. We will firm up on a date/venue once we know how many people wish to attend and their availability.

This workshop is free to Scottish members.

Please complete the registration form asap – the sooner we know who needs to do it and their availability, the easier it is for us to schedule.

Coaching Foundation (CF/26_2) – Blended Learning
2026-05-25 19:30 - 2026-06-15 21:00 | Online
An initial, unassessed course for orienteers who are interested in getting involved in coaching. This fun 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:

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Run mostly online, with a practical club supported element, this course will be held over 4 sessions.

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Weeks 1, 2 & 4 – 1.5 hrs online weekday evenings.

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Dates are w/b 25th May, 1st & 15th Jun 2026 .

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Exact day will be decided in consultation with learners to take other commitments into consideration.

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Week 3 is a 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:

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Competent orienteers at least at TD3

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Age 16+ (open to negotiation for exceptional candidates)

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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 Friday 8th May 2026

Coaching Foundation - August 2026 - blended learning
2026-08-01 08:00 - 17:00
An initial, unassessed course for orienteers who are interested in getting involved in coaching. This fun 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.

•
Dates are w/b 25th May, 1st & 15th Jun 2026 .

•
Exact day will be decided in consultation with learners to take other commitments into consideration.

•
Week 3 is a 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 Club Coach course.
REGISTRATION:
Book online through the google form or contact Judith Bell with any questions. Closing date for applications is Friday 31st July 2026

Online Event Safety Workshop - Monday 10th August 7pm to 9.30pm
2026-08-10 19:00 - 21:30 | Onliine
This online Event Safety and Welfare (ESW) workshop is aimed at all who orienteer – whether you are a coach, a competitor, an event official or helper. It is a suitable refresher for those who have attended the course before – there are some new materials!
Delivered online, using the Zoom platform and Google tools, this 2.5 hour workshop is a prerequisite for all event officials at SOA/BOF events and licensed coaches.

There will be a short pre-course task to enable us to make the most of the online time together which will be sent out one week before the course.

Please complete the registration form by 7th August 2026

Club Coach - 27th/28th August
2026-08-27 09:30 - 2026-08-29 17:00 | Central Belt, United Kingdom
A Scottish Coaching Certificate in Orienteering fully accredited by the SQA, this course blends theory and practical providing the knowledge and skills to run single sessions within a framework set up by a more experienced coach.
INTENDED FOR:
Active Foundation level coaches or Young Coach Assistants interested in furthering their experience to gain a licenced coaching qualification.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Delivered mainly in person in the Central Belt over one weekend, this course comprises:

2 full days in person practical and theory which includes the assessment
All pre-course work will need to be completed prior to 23rd August.
The pre-course work will be sent out in late July giving the learner a good amount of time to complete the work.

ASSESSMENT:
Written tasks and observation of practical coaching sessions by a qualified assessor.
COURSE OUTLINE:
The focus of the Club Coach is the single session usually progressing a skill within the session. Building on the basic skills and knowledge covered in Coaching Foundation, the course includes the theory of what and how to coach, practical exercise planning and delivery including risk management and developing yourself as a coach.
PRE-REQUISITES:

Attendance at Coaching Foundation course
Aged 17 or over
Evidence of competence at orienteering at TD4 or above
Current member of British Orienteering for insurance purposes
SOA PVG

COST:
£170 per person, £200 non-members. sportscotland funding is now administered through SOA and may cover part of your course fee depending on your circumstances. Please consult your club treasurer if you are expecting your club to pay your fee.
BOOKING:
Email judy@scottish-orienteering.org for further information or use the google form to register for the course. Closing date for applications is 14th August 2026.

Grade C Controllers Course - 17th October 2026
2026-10-17 10:00 - 16:00
A Grade C Controllers’ Course is being run on 17th October 2026, one day, 10 am – 4 pm in the Aviemore area.

As well as attending the course, the requirements for obtaining the Grace C controller licence are:

Have organised a competition registered with British Orienteering within the previous 10 years.
Have planned a minimum of 3 events, with at least one at Level C, and at least one within the previous 5 years.
Completion of mandatory British Orienteering Event Safety & Welfare Workshop.
Be appointed to the Grade by their Regional Association.

These can all be completed after the course but a good level of competence at control placement is required for the course.

Please register an interest by filing in the Google form – dates and exact location will be decided depending on requirements of participants.
