Thriving Clubs for a New Generation are at the heart of the new British Orienteering Strategy to strengthen the sport in this country. It will allow us to engage with a new generation via a thriving club network.

British Orienteering believes that if we change perceptions about orienteering, improve accessibility and deliver engaging fun experiences, more people will become hooked on the sport.

Once engaged, clear pathways to progress in competitor or volunteering will enable people to enjoy the sport for life.

The four focus areas of the Strategic Plan are:

• Change the perception.
• Create engaging experiences.
• Strengthen lifelong pathways.
• Provide foundations for success.

“Thriving Clubs for a New Generation” will be formally launched at the AGM on Wednesday, 21 April 2021 and we will be consulting further with the membership and key stakeholders.

Read the Full Strategy here

Call to Action

British Orienteering is keen to hear from you as we turn Thriving Clubs for a New Generation into reality.

• How can this strategy benefit your club, new and existing orienteers in your local area?
• What ideas do you have to support the news strategic priorities?
• What is working well for you that we could share?
• Would you be interested to be involved in a focus group?

All views are valued and we will factor them into our thinking as we take our sport and the plan forward.

Please click here to fill out the survey and help us to collect as many views as possible or send your comments to insight@britishorienteering.org.uk.

British Orienteering’s Roadmap for returning to orienteering in England can be found here.

British Orienteering fully understand that clubs need direction and clear guidance from the board at each step, particularly about the restriction on start rates. The Roadmap will help the clubs understand the intention and hopefully assist clubs to plan for larger events. A fully updated operational guidance on orienteering at Step 2 will follow shortly.

In addition to the above-planned changes, we fully understand that for some clubs the biggest challenge will still be access/permissions. Sport England has been working with other bodies responsible for public health to encourage collaboration between local leaders and sports providers to facilitate a safe return to play - this includes the Local Government Association and Public Health England.

The statement can be found here which may be a useful document as a reminder if you are having any local difficulties with the relevant authorities.

If you want to whet your appetite for all things orienteering mapping, ask questions to our experienced mappers or indeed help us share knowledge then please do join us and register for these free live webinars. All attendees will also be sent follow up useful resources, guidance and documents to help them continue to learn following the introductions provided in these sessions.

Following the confirmation by the Prime Minister yesterday (23 November) that England will return to a three-tier system of regional restrictions once the current period of national restrictions ends at 00:01 on 2 December.  The Board of British Orienteering met on 27 November and have agreed that: 

From Wednesday, 2 December 2020, orienteering events using electronic punching and timing equipment can take place providing that they follow these guidelines.

People are advised not to travel into or out of tier 3 areas (very high alert) in order to participate or volunteer in an orienteering activity or event.

This does not apply to travel where it is necessary to enable supervised coaching sessions and competitions for under-18s or activities for disabled people.

Anyone organising or taking part in an orienteering event or activity must ensure that they are aware of the local COVID alert level both in their home area and at the intended venue for their activity, and act in line with the restrictions which apply.

Further guidance will be published on Tuesday, 1 December 2020.