British Orienteering via the Rules Group is inviting feedback from members on the orienteering rules it has drafted for 2024.

• Group was reconstituted during the year and has adopted a policy of annual review to supplement arising issues, This years theme has been "maintenance" so although the eagle eyed will find many wording changes these are essentially clarifications, removal of duplication/ redundant practices, and movement of clauses/ groups of clauses to places where the context is more appropriate rather than a change of intent So in general a Rule "Spring Cleaning " with the aim of being easier to use.

Please note, as a result there has been a significant change in the order and in the numbering of individual clauses – too many to be able to sensibly mark up.

• The draft rules are available here.

The key change is that the historical anomaly that Men's and Women's classes had different winning times is addressed. This is in line with the IOF (International Orienteering Federation) policy to equalise men’s and women’s winning times for all age classes and the results of this Summer's well supported consultation - a big thank you to all that contributed.

There are New Courses tables for Long Distance but not Middle and Sprint which were already "done"

The consultation is open until 12 December, 2023 and responses can be emailed to rules@britishorienteering.org.uk."

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published its 2024 Prohibited List. The
Prohibited List designates the substances and methods that are prohibited in sport.

 
Following an extensive consultation period by WADA, the 2024 Prohibited List was published on 27 September 2023. This gives athletes and support personnel sufficient time to make themselves aware of the changes, review any medications they use on Global DRO, and apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if required before the updated List comes into effect on 1 January 2024.
 
Included on the 2024 List is the substance tramadol which will be banned in-
competition from 1 January 2024. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic and is classified as
a prescription only medicine in the UK. Tramadol misuse is of concern because of the
risks of physical dependence, opiate addiction, and overdose. It has led to it being a
controlled drug in many countries. If you are concerned about tramadol misuse, please
reach out to British Orienteering or speak to your doctor prior to the change in status on the
2024 Prohibited List.
   
Please visit UK Anti-Doping's website here to read a full summary of the changes on
the 2024 List. 
 
The following resources are also available to read on WADA’s website:
 
• The full 2024 Prohibited List  
• The WADA 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes
• The 2024 Monitoring Program which includes substances not currently on the
List but are being monitored by WADA for potential patterns of misuse in sport.

If you have any questions on the Prohibited List or a medication you may be using, please contact substance@ukad.org.uk.

You can also receive further information from our dedicated Anti-Doping Lead, pbrooke@britishorienteering.org.uk

Written by Emma Monkham, Access and Environment Officer at British Orienteering.

In addition to my role as Access and Environment Officer for British Orienteering, I also run a charity for young people and sport. We offer the chance for young people to try new sports during the school holidays.

Enormous thanks to Sal and Dave Chaffey of Derwent Valley Orienteers (DVO) for running an orienteering activity during the October half term holiday at the River Gardens in Belper. The young people LOVED it and have asked when they can try orienteering again, so job done! Sal has run other orienteering activities for my charity and each time the young folk have had a super time. Thank you Sal and Dave from all at Belper Youth Sports.

Sal Chaffey from DVO said:

"After a quick introduction, we did a short map walk from the group's meeting place to Belper River Gardens, where the children and some of the leaders learnt how to set the map and use a dibber. The children had fun using their new skills on 3 simple linear courses, followed by a score course, where most found all 12 controls! They worked in pairs, swapping map and dibber between each activity, and it was great to see the group getting more confident during the session!"

Learn more about Derwent Valley Orienteering Club via their website. 

British Orienteering is delighted to announce that the Talent Squads (North, South & Scotland) have been selected for the forthcoming season.

The talent squads aim to develop 15-18 year olds beyond the Regional Squad level by providing a programme of training, education and coaching which takes a holistic view of their development as athletes, orienteers and individuals. It encourages the athletes to take responsibility for their own plans to improve their orienteering and hopefully acts as a source of motivation and enjoyment for them.

The Performance Director, Bernie Dietzig said:

‘I would like to congratulate the athletes on their selection to the British Orienteering talent squads. We are again excited to offer a comprehensive program for the athletes this season. The talent program will deliver a number of workshops and camps, which will help our young athletes to fulfil their potential and prepare to compete on the international stage’

The full list of athletes are: