Over the last 18 months, we have been working on a review of the Performance Pathway, from clubs through to the elite level, including a full stakeholder engagement. We had a very good engagement with the membership, including both the athletes and those associated with the current structure. On behalf of British Orienteering, I would like to thank all of you that have contributed towards this.

The key areas that we will address in the new structure are:

• Developing a coherent joined-up Performance Pathway that reflects a shared vision, understood and bought into by all those involved – volunteers and professionals alike.
• Encouraging more and better training consistently at the club and regional levels.
• Widening the pool of athletes supported at level 3 and reducing the pressure and demands (e.g. travel time) time on those that are involved
• Providing support for athletes in their junior to senior transition
• Making sure Athlete welfare is at the heart of how the Performance Pathway operates

Structure

The new structure is below:

To support the new structure, we are looking at recruiting a number of volunteer positions. The Job Descriptions for the roles can be found within the links below.

Level 5 - Performance Squad Manager

Level 4 - Development Squad Manager

Level 3 - Talent Squad Manager x 3 (North, South & Scotland)

For further information about the roles please contact pmurgatroyd@britishorienteering.org.uk

British Orienteering welcomes applications from all sectors of society. British Orienteering is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and is committed to following best practice in the welfare of athletes.

Application

Please submit a Covering Letter explaining your motivations for applying and how you meet the requirements of the role by email to pmurgatroyd@britishorienteering.org.uk

Deadline for applications is 23:59 on Sunday, 26^th September 2021.

National Fitness Day encourages the nation to celebrate the fun of fitness and physical activity across the UK and will take place on Wednesday 22 September this year.  

There will be thousands of activations taking place by hundreds of partners across the UK, National Fitness Day. 

The Orienteering Foundation are pleased to announce support for another coaching day in the Lakes this autumn on Saturday 20 November 2021. The format will be similar to previous years, this time using the wonderful Summerhouse Knott as used for the British Middles earlier this year. We are particularly keen to promote coaching of adult orienteers, who are often under-served, but also welcome groups including juniors.

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.