Congratulations to the University of Durham Orienteering Club (UDOC) which beat off a strong challenge from Sheffield University Orienteering Club (ShUOC) to win the University Orienteering Club of the Year competition. Whilst both clubs have good programmes of introductory activities for beginners at the start of the new academic year and encourage all their members to continue through regular training and trips to events, Durham's outreach work with a local comprehensive school was a contributory factor in their success as judged by a panel from Development Committee.
Both club entry forms have been passed on as our nominations in the national University Sports Club of the Year competition which is organised by the CCPR for the first time this year.
Here are two of the clubs’ answers to questions on the entry form:
Please explain how your club engages with the local community and beyond.
UDOC:
The club organises fortnightly coaching sessions for children from Durham Johnston School, the local comprehensive school for children aged 11 – 18. It is a fantastic opportunity for students from the university to work with people from the local community. It also facilitates a way of widening participation into higher education, which is an important issue in the north-east where there is a below average progression rate into further education.
What has been the impact of your club’s work in the local area in the past 12 months?
ShUOC:
In the past year we have raised the profile of the sport of Orienteering by hosting our event in urban parks, and publicising our activities in the student and local press. By promoting an alternative sport we aim to get more people involved in exercise. We have attracted new students to the club who have not previously taken part in orienteering.
Hilary Palmer, Development Manager |
