BOF Annual Awards 2024: University Club of the Year – Edinburgh University Orienteering Club

The University Club of the Year Award recognises the efforts of University Clubs in the development of participants as well as coaches and volunteers. It also shows appreciation to the University for introducing and providing a gateway to orienteering to their students.

The year began with the annual Big Weekend competition from 26-28 January 2024, and there was an exciting twist! The event was adapted to support athletes preparing for WOC, introducing a 2x2 relay race and transforming the Saturday event into a world-ranking sprint. This innovative approach not only benefited elite athletes but also sparked enthusiasm within the national community, offering participants the unique opportunity to compete alongside their orienteering idols. The dedication and energy displayed by EUOC members in supporting the event were exceptional, with 85-90% of the club’s membership volunteering their time to ensure its success.

In addition to this competition, EUOC played a crucial role in hosting an elite sprint training camp from 22-26 January 2024 and organised the majority of the training sessions leading up to WOC. These efforts significantly eased the logistical burden on the WOC organisers, allowing them to focus more on the competition itself.

However, the most significant contribution from EUOC was in providing planners, organisers, and volunteers to support the WOC Test Races. This invaluable assistance ensured the smooth trialling of protocols and procedures ahead of the official competition. EUOC members filled key roles during this process, overseeing two major events—a sprint race and a knock-out sprint—along with additional training sessions held over the weekend of June 28th-30th. This mammoth effort, fuelled by the commitment and expertise of EUOC members,
played an integral part in the preparation for WOC.

Over the past year, the club’s members have demonstrated exceptional dedication and hard work in supporting the organisation of the WOC and all its components. The team’s spirit and commitment were further recognised when the Women’s Team won several prestigious awards, including Scottish Students Team of the Year, British Universities Team of the Year, and Edinburgh University Sports Union Team of the Year. These awards celebrate the collective achievements of the team, encompassing both performance and recreational athletes.

Further to this, the university club fielded two out of the four athletes in the winning World
University Championships mixed sprint relay team, while supporting athletes to attend
International competitions such as WOC, World Cups, JWOC, and JEC.

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Congratulations EUOC!

Next up, we will be sharing details of the winner of the Coach of the Year Award 2024. Check our website or social media daily for the latest updates.