39 representatives from Clubs and Associations navigated their way from throughout the UK to The Studio in Leeds to attend British Orienteering’s Club and Association Conference last Saturday on 14 October 2017. 

With delegates helping themselves to tea and coffee on arrival, Judith Holt, British Orienteering Chair proceeded to open the conference with a warm welcome to everyone attending this year’s conference. 

The theme of this year’s conference was focused on exploring how Clubs, Associations and the Board, steering groups and staff of British Orienteering can best work together to implement the participation and competition aspects of the Strategic Plan.

The Conference ran as a forum with the opportunity for clubs and associations to better understand the strategy and contribute their views and thoughts on the future of orienteering competitions. Delegates were asked to think about actions and activities which should take us through the next 2-3 years moving us towards longer-term goals.

A summary of priorities of the Strategic Plan Objectives were then discussed and the following highlighted:

• RETAIN – practices currently taking place and which should continue to do so
• MODIFY – changes to existing practices that will better help meet strategic objectives
• NEW – new actions not currently taking place.

The Conference then went on to discuss Local Competition.

Craig Anthony, Head of Development presented the room with some interesting statistics about local competition.

• Local events make up 80% of all events
• 30% of members have not participated at regional level or above
• 55% of respondents say they would go orienteering more often if events or activities were closer to home or work
•  55% of respondents say they would go orienteering more often if there were more regular events and activities

Are you a local orienteer?  Discussion groups then took place and delegates were asked to think about how we can better design local orienteering to meet the needs of local orienteers. Interesting discussions followed and each group presented their views.

Please note: All feedback collected from this session and throughout the day will be collated and made available on the website shortly.

Craig went on to introduce and welcome Roger Dillion, Brand Owner of the Sporteeering APP.

Roger went on to present an overview of how the Sporteering APP powered by Polaris Bikewear had been developed over the last 2 years and how it is split into 2 parts; a Phone APP working on iOS and Android and a Planning Portal which is web-based and works on any web-enabled device.

Roger went to explain that the Phone APP concept creates a scoring and timing system that records location. The 2 methods for recording position are done by scanning a prepositioned the QR code and by taking the current GPS location. 

As Technology advances there are greater opportunities to use this type of application and can be used to fit into orienteering.

Roger went on to say that there currently approximately 700 fixed or permanent courses throughout the UK managed by local Orienteering clubs. Some are used a little and some a lot. However, how do we know? If the courses were digitised on the Sporteering™ Platform then a steady stream of data will flow in, for example, age, gender, time of year. Also, if a control goes missing it could be seen by its lack of use. The APP can also be used to drive income streams to the clubs and the sites that adopt them. With access to user data, better courses can be created perhaps in more accessible areas – “Urban adventure trails” or inner-city parks.

Judith thanked Roger for presenting the conference with some definite ‘food for thought’. 

Judith then brought everyone’s attention to section 2.3 of the Strategic Plan and the objective to “Ensure competitions are available for competitors of all abilities in a simple to understand hierarchy.” 

Delegates were then asked to work in groups and discussed the following questions:

The conference then moved on to discuss developing Event Volunteers.

Judith Holt, Chair or British Orienteering, said: “It was good to hear members from different clubs and associations sharing ideas. The Club and Association Conference is an important annual opportunity for members, staff and directors to share ideas. We should be starting to think about our 2018 conference now, so if you have any suggestions please let us have them now and send to info@britishorienteering.org.uk  Suggestion will be equally welcome whether you attended the conference or not.”

A full set of presentation slides from this year’s conference are available here.

British Orienteering would like to say thank you to all who attended this year’s conference and for spending time contributing to the discussions focused on the theme of Competition within the Strategic Plan.

Please note: All feedback and ideas discussed collected and will be collated at National Office and made available on the website shortly.

In the meantime, please send all suggestions for the 2018 Association and Club Conference to info@britishorienteering.org.uk or post to British Orienteering, National Office, Scholes Mill, Old Coach Road, Tansley, Matlock. DE4 5FY.

If you would like to find out more about the Sporteering APP please contact National Office at info@britishorienteering.org.uk who will be able to put you in touch with Roger Dillon.

Judith Holt, Chair of British Orienteering welcomed everyone to the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Saturday 14 October 2017 in Leeds. 

Judith asked who would like to be appointed as Teller.

Mike Forrest from Bristol Orienteering Klub (BOK) was appointed Teller.

Judith went on to explain what the proposals were, these were:

Proposal 1: To include the Isle of Man in the territory over which British Orienteering governs the Sport of Orienteering. The North West was keen to support.

Proposal 2: The Re-appointment of a Director. (Basic Article tidy up: to engage with younger people to get on the Board and encourage previous Board members to return).

Proposal 3: Appointments Panel. (Basic Article tidy up: to appoint Officers though a panel).

Judith the Chair then went on to ask the attendees if they had any questions they wanted to raise prior to the voting.

A question was raised by Tony Maycraft (CHIG) who asked “are there were any consequences related to the vote?” Judith replied that “if the vote was against then this would jeopardise 5 staff member positions.” Judith thanked Tony for his question.

Judith moved the EGM onto the voting of the three proposals. Each British Orienteering member attending had been given voting slips which they were then asked to vote with. When completed the voting slips were collected from each table by the Appointed Teller. The Appointed Teller left the meeting room to count the votes along with the proxy votes which had been sent into National Office prior to the meeting. The results were handed to the Chair, Judith Holt.

The votes for each proposal were 100% in favour and therefore adopted by British Orienteering members.
Judith Holt, Chair of British Orienteering, said: “Thank you to all those members who attended the EGM or sent in proxy votes. I am pleased the Isle of Man is now part of the British Orienteering community. Perhaps in the future a new venue for orienteering holidays? We were also able to update our articles to bring us in line with current good practice in sports governance.”

The meeting then continued with presentations to Mike Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer.

Mike has been with British Orienteering for 11 years. The Sport and Recreation Alliance recently recognised Mike Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer of British Orienteering, with the Emeritus Award for his long-term service to orienteering.  Since Mike was unable to travel to London to receive the award, Judith presented this prestigious award to Mike at the EGM.

Judith presenting Mike with his Emeritus Award for his long-term service to orienteering.

Mike's impending retirement was also marked by another presentation by Judith on behalf of British Orienteering Board and its members.  Mike was presented with a book with personalised messages from orienteering clubs and associations across the UK, a painting of a view of Riber Castle by a local artist and orienteer, golfing vouchers and a golfing themed retirement cake.

Members were pleased to be part of Mike’s retirement presentation.  They applauded him in recognition of his hard work, dedication and commitment he has given to British Orienteering and the sport over the last 11 years.

Mike expressed his appreciation and thanked the Board, staff and members for the retirement gifts.

The Club and Association Conference then got underway.

Orienteering Clubs competing this weekend in the Finals are as follows:

For the Compass Sport Cup for 2017: Bristol Orienteering Klub (BOK), North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club (NGOC), Cleveland Orienteering Klub (CLOK), Octavian Droobers (OD), Devon Orienteering Club (DEVON), Southern Navigators (SN), Derwent Valley Orienteers (DVO), Southdowns Orienteers (SO), Forth Valley Orienteers (FVO), South Yorkshire Orienteers (SYO), Lakeland Orienteering Club (LOC).

For the Compass Sport Trophy for 2017: Badenoch and Strathspey Orienteering Club (BASOC), Saxons Orienteering Club (SAX), Claro Orienteers (CLARO), Swansea Bay Orienteering Club (SBOC), Interlopers Orienteering Club (INT), South Ribble Orienteering Club (SROC), Cornwall Orienteering Club (KERNO), Suffolk Orienteering Club (SUFFOC), Lincoln Orienteering Club (LOG), Walton Chasers (WCH), Sarum Orienteering Club (SARUM), Wimborne Orienteers (WIM).

Revised final details for the Compass Sport Cup Finals are now available here.

Start lists are now available by club and course.

Competitors' attention is drawn to the note in the final details regarding the map symbols, which are ISOM2017. A copy of the legend (4 MB file) is available here.

The Compass Sport Cup is the British Clubs Orienteering Championships started by CompassSport Founder Ned Paul in 1982. Clubs are categorised into small (Trophy - 13 scorers) and large (Cup - 25 scorers) clubs. The competition consists of an initial round in spring and a Final round in the autumn. Prizes are provided for by CompassSport. The Competition is administrated by a Volunteer Co-ordinator on behalf of CompassSport and the Orienteering Clubs of the UK for which the competition was set up to serve.

British Orienteering would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers involved especially to the Organiser: Nicholas Maxwell, Planner: Tom Lillicrap and Controller: Roger Hargreaves who have all worked hard and continue to do so with their final preparations for this weekend’s competition. A big thank you also must go to Peter Guillaume, Compass Sport Cup Coordinator and to Compass Sport.

British Orienteering would also like to wish all the orienteering clubs and members attending this competition a safe journey as they travel to compete and would like to wish everyone taking part all the best as they compete in a great day of orienteering.
 

Who will be crowned the 2017 Compass Sport Cup and Trophy Champions in British Orienteering’s 50th-anniversary year?