BOSS ends for another summer
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 01 March 2017 11:56
After eight years running the BOSS, we say a massive thank you to series co-ordinator Andrew Haigh who stepped down from this important role after the 2016-17 finale at Blue Gum Hills on Sunday.
The BOSS is the Newcastle club's monthly summer series for mountain bike orienteering, attracting a loyal following and - importantly - giving valuable experience to course setters.
We thank everyone who helped stage these events and offer congratulations to the series winners:
Elite: Steven Todkill (Newcastle)
Men: Michael Ridley-Smith (Garingal)
Women: Nicole Haigh (NC)
Rookie: John Brayan (GO)
Tim Hackney is taking over the co-ordinator's role next summer. Final standings are here.
And a reminder to everyone that ONSW is hosting the Australian MTBO champs in the Southern Highlands on October 7-8.
ACT weekend kicks off State League season
- Last Updated: Monday, 27 February 2017 14:34
A reminder that our 2017 State League season will be starting in Canberra, with the co-sanctioned ACT Sprint and Middle Distance championships on March 25-26.
Both events are in Canberra, with the Sprint at Red Hill (for elites) and Canberra Girls Grammar (everyone), and the Middle at Isaacs Ridge.
The weekend is also the Australian University championships, and the second round of the National Orienteering League for elites.
Having this ACT weekend as State League events will provide a good preparation and incentive for those people travelling to NZ for the Oceania champs and/or World Masters in April. The Sunday is also beneficial for our opening MetrO League round at UWS Penrith on April 1.
Entries close March 14. Enter on Day will be available on the Sunday only on these courses: Easy, Moderate 2 and Hard 6. Please note there are no AS classes on offer this weekend.
Ian Jessup finalist in NSW Sports award
- Last Updated: Thursday, 23 February 2017 23:35
Congratulations to our Marketing & Communications Officer Ian Jessup on being a finalist at the annual Sport NSW awards.
From a record number of entries, Ian made the shortlist for Sports Administrator of the Year.
Ian has been with ONSW for nearly six years and, along with many others, has helped transform the organisation from an amateur body into a semi-professional one with increasing development, participation and media exposure across the state.
He claims his pride and joy was developing - with Barbara Hill, Carolyn Rigby and Salme Fuller - the OK-GO kit now being widely used in schools.
Ian's nomination follows Sydney Summer Series founder Ross Barr's Community Sport Administrator award last August, and the Enderby family's five nominations at the recent Lake Macquarie sports awards night.
On behalf of all orienteers we congratulate Ian on this prestigious occasion.
Central Coast women dominate O'Shea weekend
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 21 February 2017 11:42
Ladies first - that's how it panned out at the annual O'Shea 2-Days carnival at the weekend.
This pairs event features 3 races in 18 hours - testing speed, endurance and mental faculties. Saturday afternoon is a relay, Saturday night requires a headlight or torch, and Sunday morning is a team score event.
When lunchtime rolled around on Sunday, locals Georgina Macken and Kirsten Ambler had taken out the Long Pairs, while Julia Prudhoe and husband Paul claimed the honours in the short pairs.
Georgina is a former JWOC and WOC rep originally from Wagga, while Kirsten finished second in the women's section of the recent Central Coast summer series. Their combined time of 2h26m50s was 15 minutes clear of Garingal veterans James Lithgow and Warwick Selby.
Aidan Dawson (GO) was ruing a mispunch in the first race, otherwise he and Big Foot junior Ewan Shingler may have won the cakes.
Their first grandchild has obviously energised the Prudhoes: they pipped clubmates Hilary Wood and Robyn Pallas by four and a half minutes after comfortably winning the opening relay event.
