Almost 320 senior and junior school students took part in the Sydney West Regional Schools Orienteering Championships over two days
last week at the Fred Caterson Reserve in Castle Hill. These were the first two events in a series of five around NSW which introduces orienteering as a competitive sport to junior and senior school students. The event takes the form of a coaching session around a practice course with experienced volunteer orienteers, followed by a competitive course set by age group and run individually.
On Wednesday Kurrajong, Kellyville Ridge, and Wentworthville Public Schools, and Kingswood High School students showed some great form over the nine courses set by Ted Mulherin, with the fastest Over 16, Cody Rodman, doing the 4.3km course in just 34:36 minutes. Paul Prudhoe, President of Orienteering NSW, awarded the first three places in each class, presenting them with an invitation to race the best in NSW at the Schools Championships later in the season. Given for many this was their first taste of orienteering, there were some fine efforts, with Kurrajong students taking out first and second place in all but the under 10 events on the first day on the junior courses. Brothers Ethan and Caleb Farrelly, (Wentworthville Public) regulars of the Sydney Summer Series, displayed their experience with a first and third in the junior classes.
Day 2 of the Championships was all about Gilroy College. Around 205 students from year 9 competed over four courses and again there were some students showing real flair, with fitness from their other sports teamed with a natural feel for the map. James Gough, Amber McMahon, Jayden Rennie and Emma Puckeridge led their classes off with solid performances.
However for many of the students the event was less about competition than about spending some great time outdoors with their friends. One boy completed his special course on a motorised scooter with a friend alongside to punch the more inaccessible controls. Many were surprised at the level of effort needed to complete an orienteering course. One Year 9 girl commented that she wouldn’t have to do any more exercise for a year was probably not quite what the sports teachers had in mind, but another was happy that ‘this is more fun than going to the gym’. A sentiment most seasoned orienteers would agree with.
The next event in the series will be the Sydney South West Regional Schools Orienteering Championships at Camden on the 22nd June 2011. Any orienteers able to help with Start, Finish and coaching should contact Lyn Malmgron.
