BOF Annual Awards 2025: Young Volunteer of the Year Award Winner – Joel Taylor (BUMC/TVOC)

The Young Volunteer of the Year Award is dedicated to individuals under the age of 25, who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting the delivery of orienteering activity with passion, energy, and enthusiasm

Joel was the orienteering secretary for BUMC for the 24/25 academic year. BUMC is a mountaineering club at the University of Bath which offers orienteering alongside climbing and hiking. As the orienteering secretary he was responsible for all orienteering training and competitions, doing the work that most university clubs have an entire committee to do. During this time, he helped develop orienteering at Bath at a level higher than we have ever seen. 

He was responsible for organising the English University Orienteering Championships (EUOC) which was the first event BUMC have ever hosted, which saw 54 athletes from 6 different unis attend. His organisation responsibilities included liaising with local clubs to offer us areas to compete on, securing accommodation for travelling uni clubs and finding a planner for the relay event. The event went flawlessly and was considered a resounding success. BUMC had 13 athletes compete in the individual day and 16 athletes compete in the relay team – an amazing turn out for us at the time (the previous year only 4 people competed). As the BUMC captain he guided us to 2nd place in this competition. 

He also facilitated BUMC attending BUCS, where we came 5th (matching what we believe is our highest ever placing). A strong team of 12 were selected for BUCS, marking the first year BUMC had trials to secure a BUCS place! (Year before there were approximately 5 who went to BUCS) 

Joel’s training through the year and ability to draw newcomers to the sport were essential for our success. He ran fortnightly training sessions where he single-handedly planned courses, set controls and helped newcomers learn how to orienteer. Often in rainy weather he showed up to each session with an infectious love of orienteering which drew in many orienteers who now frequently compete for the club. 

The amount of effort that he put into ensuring that our trips went ahead should not be overlooked as dealing with our SU is not a small feat! Organising transport, meals, accommodation, filling in trip lists and chasing orienteers for payments are just some of the things that Joel accomplished during his time. 

Congratulations Joel!