Since May 2021 Helen and Fiona worked relentlessly, organising every aspect of the Big Weekend 2022. In the early days of planning, they worked with the World Orienteering Championships 2024 technical team to arrange the remapping of certain areas in Edinburgh. This great partnership has led to Edinburgh University Orienteering Club helping to plan a pre-World Orienteering Championships training camp next year. Amongst every other aspect of planning and organising, for the first time ever, Helen and Fiona added a Trail-O event to increase the inclusivity of the event. The event was a huge success with participants and financially, which was great because the Big Weekend is the main source of income for the club and an essential means of promoting inclusive club trips and affordable membership prices. Moreover, despite both being busy doing PhDs, Helen and Fiona are always available to help the club whether it is to plan a training session, lead a beginner’s group at intervals, host a social in their flat, both girls are extremely friendly and welcoming faces of the club and a great asset for Edinburgh University Orienteering Club. 

Congratulations to both Helen and Fiona! 

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Other amazing young nominees who deserve recognition and praise...

Evan Bowers (Sheffield University Orienteering Club).  As Club Captain, Evan has worked extremely hard to navigate the club through such a difficult period for all university clubs, in terms of looking after their existing members, recruiting new students, running events and training sessions through the changing regulations, and keeping the club going financially. The club was awarded the Digital Engagement award in the 2021 Sheffield University Sports Awards for finding ways to engage with its members. Sheffield is hosting this year's British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) and Evan have dedicated himself wholeheartedly to making the event a success. Evan has managed all of this whilst also pursuing his demanding dentistry studies and is always enthusiastic, supportive, and available to answer questions and sort out problems. 

Photo source and credit: Sheffield University Orienteering Club website

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Rose Taylor (North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club). Although only W16, Rose is an example to not just the young people in her club, she is an ambassador for the sport to us all. Rose consistently volunteers at all club events for example working with her parents to plan and control a North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club League Event. Her high standards along with her unfailingly passionate, enthusiastic, and energetic character mean she is a fantastic role model for other youngsters and enables her to get alongside and shadow junior orienteers to help them build their confidence in going out by themselves, and inspiring them to take up orienteering as a sport. This nurturing role is so important for developing the talent pipeline.  

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Thank you to all who submitted nominations for British Orienteering's Annual Awards this year. 

Many congratulations all!

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British Orienteering looks forward to continuing with this 'In the Spotlight' online celebration tomorrow with the following...

The winner and runners-up of The Silva Trophy - awarded for the best professional map will be at 10:00 tomorrow morning (Tuesday 19 April). 

In the afternoon tomorrow British Orienteering will then be focusing on the winner and runners-up of The Chichester Trophy at 14:00.