Latest ONSW News
NSW orienteers who travelled to Adelaide this weekend enjoyed warm weather and clear skies for the National Orienteering
League opening races.
The Sprint race qualifier had Josh Blatchford well positioned for the final in 4th, with Andrew Brown of Big Foot 7th and Andrew Hill 10th. Josh's sister Nicola had a great early run with a 4th placing, as did Julia Prudhoe (4th) and Nick Dent (2nd). The afternoon's final was at Waite and there were problems for the W21E course which was declared void due to 'construction works blocking a mapped route choice and a number of early starters being given the wrong map' reports Orienteering Australia. Josh slipped to 5th in the final with Matt Parton of Goldseekers the next NSW runner in 8th. In the age classes NSW had some satisfying results with Lisa Grant (GO) in 2nd W21A, and Matt Hill (GO) also 2nd in M17-20E. NSW Head Coach Nick Dent managed a 4th in M55A with NSW Schools team manager Karen Blatchford sprinting to 2nd in W45A.
Sunday brought athletes to the Long Distance race in Belair National Park. The race posed some challenges for the junior elites in the NOL who were running the same course as the seniors, and with all elites setting off in a mass start. A physical and demanding set of courses got the better of some of the runners, with a number of withdrawals and mispunches across both elite and ages classes. Josh Blatchford had another great race coming second to Finnish runner Victor Manser (running for Victoria), with Andrew Hill, Matt Parton and Patrik Gunnarsson also joining him in the top 10. Other results of note: Course 4F Karen Blatchford 2nd, 4M Nick Dent 3rd, and course 5F Julia Prudhoe 1st, Hilary Wood 5th.
Orienteering NSW have signed up to two important new initiatives ‘Play by the Rules’ and ‘It stops with me’.
Play by the Rules is a unique program from the Australian Sports Commission, which has evolved over the last 10 years to provide free information, resources, online training and promotional campaigns aimed at ensuring everyone involved in sport can do so in an enjoyable, safe environment, free from discrimination, harassment or bullying. Supported and funded by the federal, state and territory governments it works with sports and their clubs and associations, to communicate messages about positive behaviour in sport. There are online learning courses available which can be found at http://www.playbytherules.net.au/interactive-scenarios/free-online-training. There are currently two modules ‘Child Protection’ and ‘Harassment and Discrimination’ which uses case studies, practical scenarios and a quiz to bring users up to date on their legal obligations, as well as how to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for newcomers to the sport.
‘It stops with me’ is an anti-racism campaign which aims to encourage more Australians to recognise that racism is unacceptable, to give them the practical tools and resources to take practical action against racism, empowering them to take action to prevent or respond to racism where it occurs. By signing up to the campaign ONSW acknowledges that everyone has a role to play in countering racism; ‘It stops with me’ provides the thought provoking tools and resources to help us think a little more deeply about the problem.
We may hope that orienteering doesn’t suffer from these problems, but as we grow as a community we need to be aware of the diversity of people that may be attracted to our sport. Continuing to make Orienteering a safe and enjoyable community for everyone is worth the investment of time and thought. Please visit Play by the Rules and It stops with me! Websites and have a look.
The team from Bigfoot have been working to deliver a great DuO event to kick off 2013. With fine weather forecast (at last!) here's an example of what you can expect from the Twisted course:
Stage 1 Foot scatter course 2k
Stage 2 MTBO 12k
Stage 3 Foot stage, line course 3.5k
Stage 4 MTBO line course 14.5k
Stage 5 Option of foot or bike 1.5k This will be explained at the briefing
Read more about it here
The Bitte course will be the same but shorter with fewer controls. With a BBQ and a chance to enter the Trek Cobia 29er draw what are you waiting for?
Entries close on Wednesday midnight with a late entry fee available until Friday on Eventor http://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/425
