Having been in the recruitment game for some time, we know that Juniors are cyclical! We have had times when we have a large group of very good juniors, a high proportion of whom made the Start/Talent squads. Then we have periods when they grow up leave and we start building again. Through marketing activity, numbers have grown again in the last couple of years.

Our main challenge is getting a critical mass of say 8 keen, quite close in age, Juniors who bond and just want to be together. This then turns into “having fun with mates”. Its easy at that point. Without such a critical mass there is not the same team spirit and incentive to go to events.

Our main way of recruitment is through active marketing (eg Facebook, which is now working well for us) of “Orienteering for Families” introductory events. We just copied the concept of what SYO were doing with their events in parks (lots of short easy courses, people start on white then do the yellow and orange on the same day). We have a schools league incorporated in these too – but its parents  (not teachers) that bring their children (and parents get half points for competing for their schools too). The main thing is to get both Juniors and their parents taking part in these events.

We came to the view some time ago that we want families with their Juniors, not just Juniors! The adults will bring their children, and we hope will go on to become volunteers and event organisers and planners. They will stay long after their children have moved away! But having enthusiastic Juniors gives the whole club a buzz!