Latest ONSW News
Laurence Bruggeman, Uringa Orienteering Club
Laurence started orienteering in November 2023 coming to River & Bay Orienteering Series events.
Laurence is to be commended for her enthusiasm for the sport. She has immersed herself in the sport and sweeps others up with her positive attitude and desire to understand all aspects of her participation. She travels to events all over the state in order to keep learning and improving.
This year started competing in W Open B at major events with the following results:
SL 1 - 3rd, SL3 - 3rd and SL9 - 2nd
NSW Long Champs - 5th
AOC Middle - 5th
AOC Relays - fastest time in 4th place NSW team
AOC Long - 3rd and AOC Sprint - 1st
President’s Junior Award 2024
Oskar Mella (Newcastle Orienteering Club)
Although still a junior, Oskar Mella has already been significantly contributing to orienteering in NSW as a Course Planner for several years. He has contributed in this role at events as diverse as local Newcastle Orienteer of the Year and Urban events, the Xmas 5 Days, and KB3. While his excellent course planning skills had already been recognised within NSW with the 2023 Course Setter of the Year award for State League #9 (KB3 Day 3 Sprint), this year he demonstrated those skills to the rest of Australia in the important role of Course Planner for the 2024 Australian Schools Orienteering Championship Sprint Distance held at The Armidale School Campus. This role involved a very significant amount of time and thought in ensuring the event was a success.
In addition to his course planning contributions, Oskar has also assisted with coaching including NSW Juniors, and Newcastle club members. In 2024 Oskar also represented Australia at JWOC in Czechia (he was Reserve in 2023) and is a valued member of the NSW Stingers. This follows on from many years as a member of the highly successful NSW Schools Team.
Oskar’s broad smile and friendly demeanour are well known at Newcastle events where he is always ready to lend a hand. He is a valued and respected member of Newcastle Orienteering Club. Some Background Facts:
· 2024 Course Planner – 2024 Australian Schools Orienteering Championship Sprint Distance; Member of Australian JWOC Team to Czechia
· 2023 Course Planner – Newcastle Urban Course Planner – KB3 Day 3 (Sprint) * NSW Course Setter of the Year Award
· Coaching – NSW Juniors Sprint training weekend
· Reserve for Australian JWOC Team to Romania
· 2022 Course Planner – 2022 Xmas 5 Days Day 3 2021 Course Planner - NOY2 (with Bjorn Mella)
Oceania Bulletin 2 is available for your reading here.
OA has selected the ANZ challenge teams but will not be selecting/organising other teams. The NZ organisers have advised that a live site will be opened for relay entries, and an email form will be sent around that allows individuals or organisations to send in relay teams with those who have entered. The NZ organisers can't publish contact details but are happy to provide these on request. OA is recommending that state organisations enter teams for their state if they have full teams. Where they do not have full teams one of the following options could be followed:
- Individuals/state organisations contact others from their age group from other states to form teams.
- The NZ organisers will form teams with leftover runners.
Please contact me with any questions, otherwise I will leave it with you.
Brodie Nankervis -
ONSW congratulated twelve more members for their 50 years (or more) of involvement in the sport of orienteering as of 2024. (Thirteen were recognised in 2023.)
These current ONSW members are noted for their participation at any level as a competitor and/or official and/or organiser and/or mapper and/or course setter). They have also been substantially resident in NSW over the period.
They were acknowledged by ONSW President Robyn Pallas during a presentation at the Christmas 5-Days.
Early ONSW history is not comprehensive. Various strategies were used to identify current ONSW members who met the criteria for recognition in 2024. If you think you should have been included, please contact your club.
