The East Ayrshire Learning Outdoor Support Team has been recognised by British Orienteering, the National Governing body for the sport as providing a positive first experience to visiting groups. East Ayrshire Learning Outdoor Support Team is one of a number of accredited centres awarded British Orienteering Recognised Centre status.

Wille White, Education Officer from the East Ayrshire Learning Outdoor Support Team said: 

"Our experienced staff team can offer a tailored orienteering experience that is adventurous, progressive, innovative, challenging and exciting in order to meet a variety of high quality learning outcomes and we support schools with training and resources. We are currently collaborating with local clubs; STAG to install permanent orienteering courses in most Secondary schools to enhance outdoor PE and AYROC, TOPAyrshire & Scottish Orienteering to establish a dedicated local development officer.”

Howard Blackman, Business Development Officer for British Orienteering, said:

“Our Recognised Centre scheme is designed to work with Outdoor Centres to understand how orienteering is used as a tool to deliver a wide variety of educational outcomes. We are pleased to recognise the East Ayrshire Learning Support Outdoor Team as delivering a high quality orienteering experience to visiting groups.”

Recognised Centre status is awarded to Outdoor Centres who can show a consistently high standard of orienteering across a range of criteria that covers orienteering delivery, staffing, resourcing as well as policies and procedures. These are examined in detail by British Orienteering advisors and accredited to outdoor centres only if they meet the standards.

British Orienteering, the National Governing Body of the sport, provide specialist advisors to help Outdoor Centres across the country to provide the highest standards in orienteering delivery.   

For more information about the scheme and how to join visit the dedicated Recognised Centre section on the British Orienteering website. 

Paul Murgatroyd, Head Coach for Talent, commented:  
"Well done to all those athletes who have made it into the squad for the upcoming year and I wish them all the best with their training and racing in the months ahead. The past season has thrown a great many challenges at this group of young orienteers and they've managed to keep their motivation and enthusiasm for the sport high, despite all the issues around cancellations of the majority of this season's premier events. We sincerely hope that next year will be an improvement, and that these aspiring juniors will get the opportunity to race both domestically and internationally at some point, but we know that this continues to be a very difficult and uncertain time for everyone."