Following a recruitment process, we are delighted to announce that Ruth Beale (Southern Navigators) will be taking up the voluntary role of Chair of the Performance Pathway Steering Group (PPSG), taking over from Bob Dredge. We thank Bob for his long service in this role and tireless efforts in support of our performance programme and wish him well for the future.

Ruth is a former junior and senior international orienteer with a broad experience of elite level orienteering as well as having been a member of the British Orienteering Board, as Director with responsibility for Performance, for the past 5 years. Professionally Ruth works in Strategy and Innovation for the UK Sports Institute and has considerable experience of Olympic and Paralympic Performance programmes. Ruth says “I’m thrilled to be taking on this role and hoping to make a positive difference for Orienteering in Britain. I care passionately that our athletes are well supported and that they are given opportunities to develop and thrive through orienteering. I have gained a huge amount from my time in the sport and hope that many others will continue to do so as well.”

Ruth will begin this role in September 2024 with Duncan Birtwistle (as board member and Director with responsibility for Performance) taking over as interim chair until that point. New volunteer membership of the group, as described in the terms of reference, will be created over the summer and we will be advertising for the relevant roles. Please keep an eye out for that and consider playing your part in supporting our Performance programme.

This important committee provides governance to the Performance programme at British Orienteering and will work closely with athletes, coaches and staff to ensure the programme is able to enjoy continued success. The PPSG has delegated powers from the Board to provide oversight of the British Orienteering Performance Pathway, set programme philosophies, long term plans, annual targets & objectives, approve selection policies and to provide check and challenge to the programme and staff on planning, delivery, resources, and critical issues. The PPSG report to the board of British Orienteering.

A new terms of reference for the committee can be found here: https://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/doc/performance-pathway/performance-pathway-steering-group-tor

Any questions please contact Peter Hart: peter.hart@britishorienteering.org.uk