Around 130 students from 10 schools took part in the 37th annual Hunter schools orienteering championships at Barnsley on Tuesday. Many of the competitors were new to orienteering or had limited exposure before the day but all managed to find their way around at least one of two courses on offer.
The students completed a line course in age classes in the morning before heading back out on one of four different 45-minute score courses. The score courses provided the most discussion and excitement as they do not separate the boys from the girls.
Champion school was Hunter River High School. Boy champion was Scott Charlton (Morisset High School) who won Boys 16 years and the A Score Course. Girls Champion was NSW rookie Amylee Robertson (St Phillips Christian College) who won the Girls 16+ years and was second on the A Score course.
As organiser I would like to thank all the volunteers from Newcastle Orienteering Club who ran the Start and Finish as well as patrolling and assisting students out in the forest. This event was postponed from late June due to torrential rain and was eventually held in glorious weather.
A special thank you to Geoff Todkill who set and drew the courses and put out/collected controls.
Check out the photo gallery from the event and the results.
Colin Bailey, convenor
