BOF Annual Awards 2024: Spirit of Inclusion Award Winner – David Robertson (ESOC)

The Spirit of Inclusion Award recognises the success of club initiatives or projects that aimed to reach currently under-represented groups in orienteering.

David supports inclusion and the promotion of orienteering in many different ways.

His role involves looking after social media for ESOC, and he has used social media very
successfully to promote the club’s activities and successes, which has led to increased
attendance of newcomers at events. Furthermore, it has increased the club’s spirit
with the celebration of club achievements.

David works as a volunteer at East Lothian Outdoor Learning regularly promotes orienteering opportunities and helps to deliver orienteering to schools and youth groups within the area. He has embraced the new MapRun technology and created Postbox Orienteering courses for all the larger towns within the area to help promote orienteering from the school hubs.

He has volunteered to introduce orienteering to many pupils in East Lothian who are struggling academically or have behavioral problems, giving them time outside the classroom in nature to enjoy orienteering. He works with individuals or small groups to build trust and help them overcome difficulties and discover learning when traditional approaches have not been successful.

Having worked with additional support needs (ASN) groups, David has provided orienteering
opportunities within local parks for them to enjoy. He has planned wheelchair-friendly orienteering courses and mazes, and orienteering activities for an Active Schools Edinburgh Parasport Festival.

Running weekly after-school orienteering clubs through Active Schools, David has delivered and developed a range of fun orienteering games and exercises. 

As a club volunteer for ESOC, he is always there to help, and his cheerful, friendly, and approachable manner is a great asset. He makes everyone feel welcome and appreciated. He quietly gets on with any task that needs to be done and is often one of the last to leave, ensuring that he can do everything possible to help.

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Well done David on your award!

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