Performance Programme Update

22 September 2017

At the recent Board meeting, directors considered a review of the 2017 performance programme and the future direction of the programme in light of British Orienteering’s Strategic Plan and the change in funding. Note there are no changes proposed to the Talent Programme.

The Strategic Plan makes clear the importance of international success in promoting the sport. On this basis, the Board had previously agreed that:

Medal success, particularly at the World Orienteering Championships, is important both in its own light and in promoting the sport

Financial support to the programme should be focused on supporting and enhancing likely medal success

There must be a transition to a position by 2021 where both the performance and talent programmes are sustainable using British Orienteering funds and that any additional funding support is ring-fenced and serves to enhance the core programmes

The Board tasked the Chief Executive, Mike Hamilton and Bob Dredge, Talent & Performance Steering Group Chair to provide a simplified way forward for the performance programme that made clear to athletes and volunteers the service levels athletes can expect and the importance of athletes being self-reliant and managing their own personal development.

The Board recognised the work of people working in the programme to try to find a way to sustain the level of support offered to athletes and to continue to provide a programme similar to the programme that has developed over the last few years. However, the Board felt there is need for a significant and noticeable change to ensure that athletes and volunteers alike appreciate that it is no longer feasible to continue with a programme that is comparable with programmes that have been heavily supported financially.

The outcome of discussions that have taken place since the Board meeting have resulted in the following programme being outlined:

The programme will formally consist of only the World Orienteering Championships (WOCs), World Cups (WCs) including European Orienteering Championships (EOC) and World Games; if athletes wish to join together and attend events or put on self-help/self-funded meetings they are encouraged to do so but these will be informal and not a part of the British Orienteering performance programme.

A ‘GB Senior International’ squad will be identified containing athletes likely to be selected to compete in WOCs and WCs during the subsequent year. The squad is solely recognition of athletes reaching a level at which their performance warrants consideration for selection and does not offer any other financial or service benefits. British Orienteering recognises that being named to a squad enables athletes to access other opportunities and support only available to athletes named in a squad. Athletes external to this squad may still be selected to competition or the squad at a later point if they demonstrate they have performed at an appropriate level. This will be a ‘rolling’ squad where changes can be made on an ad-hoc basis based on the selection criteria developed.

Selection to both the GB Senior International Squad and international competitions will continue for 2018 as described in the published policy.

Athletes will need to take responsibility for their personal organisation and development and are encouraged to work with a personal coach.

Funds should be used to ease the financial burden on the athletes selected for WOCs and WCs. This will include paying for the IOF Registration Fee and the entry fees and any accreditations for these competitions.

The remaining funds will be used to support a small number of athletes who are selected as serious current or near future medal contenders. The criteria for selection are being developed and will be published once agreed.

A small staff of consultants and volunteers will be used to support athletes at the World Cup prior to WOC and at WOC; for other WCs and the World Games, there will be minimal support of one person to act as manager. The small staff team is likely to consist of a manager in charge of logistics etc, a mentor/coach for those athletes wishing to use one, and a medic. This may be adjusted depending on the skill sets and experience of people chosen.

The rationale behind the above points includes:

The wish to use funds to make an impact on our chances of winning medals
Recognition of the financial burden placed on our international athletes and a wish to use most of the available funds to support athletes. This will be a balance between providing financial support to those selected for competition and those with medal-winning capability.
The need to encourage athletes to be self-reliant
Recognition of the important role that personal coaches/mentors should and do have in supporting an athlete
The need to build a sustainable programme where support personnel are likely to change over a period. We value greatly the commitment that volunteers contribute to the programme and recognise it is unrealistic to expect volunteers to replicate the roles of staff who used to be employed full time and part time in the programme.

As this programme is rolled out we will endeavour to keep you updated.

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