Our regional schools championships wrapped up at St Ives Showground on Monday with a record 199 entries and many new schools enjoying a shimmering winter's day for the Sydney North champs.
It was wonderful to see entries for the first time from Terrigal Primary, Beaumont Road PS (one placegetter), Wakehurst PS, Mosman High (three placegetters), Davidson High (one placegetter) and North Sydney Girls.
Riverside Girls HS retained their trophy for champion high school, as did West Pymble in the primary schools section.
In just five years these champs have grown from 20 entries to nudging 200. The vast majority of these are novices but show some great skills thanks to the introductory coaching they receive before heading out on their courses.
At the pointy end, Garingal members and regular orienteers Kaj Bollerup, Clare Jessup and Tom Kennedy took out three of the moderate courses which took competitors into the bush several times.
Check out the photo album on Facebook, and the results.
A huge thank you must go to Barbara Hill, the organiser on behalf of ONSW, and Andrew Mitchell from North Sydney Boys HS who co-ordinates the entries. We could not run these days without the fantastic pool of volunteer coaches and helpers who ensure the students get a positive introduction to our sport.
In 2015 our total attendance at schools champs/gala days i set to match last year's record of just over 2,000.
Next up are the NSW schools champs in western Sydney on August 15-16. The Saturday consist of two sprint races around school campuses, and Sunday is a middle distance event in the bush near the freeway. ENTRIES CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5.
