Marketing efforts reaping rich rewards
- Last Updated: Thursday, 20 September 2012 20:15
Media coverage of orienteering is at an all-time high, with the hard work put in by clubs and the ONSW team bearing fruit. Local newspaper coverage has seen over 18 items already published this year, with more in the pipeline as Uringa and IKO club members line up for their photo shoot in early October advertising the Southern Sydney Series. It's not just about reporting on events. Upcoming events are being listed on on-line running and adventure racing communities such as Cool Running, Eventlist, AdventureRace, and KMSEvents.
Ian Jessup, Marketing manager for ONSW and principally responsible for supporting our media contacts, is really pleased with coverage of the sport by local newspapers and radio stations.
‘There was a great article on Tim Cox in The Australian which really highlighted the strengths of the sport, and how it is both physically dynamic and mentally challenging. It is a real difficulty to present our sport in soundbites, as it provides so many different things to so many people. There is the wide age range we cater for, the different levels of physical fitness of those who can participate, and even the difference between the urban vs bush orienteering element to describe. It is no wonder that the general public have widely differing views of our sport, but with all this media coverage the main messages I think are really getting out there are how much fun it is, and how accessible it can be. Most media outlets I deal with are taken aback by the range in ages, particularly, of our orienteers - but also the fact we cater for different abilities and the fact you go at your own pace. Not many sports can boast that kind of inclusivity."
So if you missed the articles or the radio broadcasts, where can you get access to them now? YOu can read about the recent NSW Championships profiled in the Western Advocate (Bathurst) here and the Sydney Northern Regional Schools Champs which covered in the North Shore Times here. A full listing is kept on the website at www.onsw.asn.au/index.php/media-coverage.
If you come across any coverage in your area please let Ian know and we can add the material to the mounting pile of good things said about our sport. And if your club is seeking ways to broaden its publicity, Ian is here as your ONSW employee to help. Contact him on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0416 040 135.
NSW MTBO Super Series 2012 draws to a close
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 18 September 2012 17:46
A band of enthusiastic mountain bike orienteers descended on Clarencetown, in the Hunter Valley, for last two rounds of the NSW MTBO Super Series. The weekend was hosted by Newcastle Orienteering Club and consisted of a Middle Distance event in Uffington State Forest on Saturday and a Long Distance event in Wallaroo State Forest on Sunday morning.
Perhaps a little ambitiously, these events were the first where Newcastle used its newly purchased SI equipment. Thus behind the scenes there was much discussion of logistics and processes. Unfortunately, teething issues on Saturday meant that splits were lost for publishing and the organisers offer apologies to the competitors for this.
Out in the forests and the riding was good since the areas had dried up considerably over the last
month although on Sunday there was still some water on the tracks (which was mapped!) that had to be taken into consideration. Steven Todkill and Hilary Ellis took out the Mens and Womens Course 1 respectively, on both days. Full results can be found here for SS7 Uffington and SS8 Wallaroo. David Ellis took out the “Epic Fail” award by injuring himself Saturday morning while surfing and then melting his wheel on the journey up to the events by having his bike too close the exhaust pipe! He did however assist the organisers throughout both events. Well done Dave!
The course setters,Malcolm Roberts and Andrew Power would like to thank all of those members from the Newcastle club who helped make the events a success, in particular Denis Lyons on Saturday and Caroline Taurinay on Sunday.
Thanks to Malcolm Roberts for this report
NSW sharpens skills ahead of Australian Champs
- Last Updated: Tuesday, 18 September 2012 07:11
Nick Dent, Head coach NSW, led a training session in Belanglo this weekend for NSW orienteers, and particularly those heading off to the Australian Championships in Tasmania. Using an updated version of the new 'Beyond Rocklea' map, exercises were set focussing on compass work in vague terrain and the use of precise attack points in more detailed areas.
State Juniors were out in force to take advantage of this last training opportunity before the Australian Schools Championships, with JWOC representative and Senior Girl Michele Dawson, Senior boys Aidan Dawson, Lawrence Jones, Junior Boys Toby Wilson and Alex Kennedy and Junior Girls Melissa Annetts and Georgia Jones in the forest working hard.
Gold at the Blacktown City Games
- Last Updated: Sunday, 16 September 2012 18:46
Western & Hills have introduced Orienteering as a Blacktown City Games Sport. The Second Games event for 2012 and the sixth in the “Cunning Running” Series was held at Glenwood on Saturday 15 September.
There were two divisions: Score and Line. Blacktown City Council supported the event with the provision of awards. Lisa Grant (GO) and Lee Coady (WH) achieved Gold in their divisions closely followed by Ethan Farrelly and Daniel Smith (WH) with Silver and Mark Mueller and Dean Heke with Bronze.
The final of the 2012 “Cunning Running” Series will be held at Werrington Lake Park on 20 October. An event not to be missed.
Thanks to Barry Hanlon for this report
