It was extremely tough for the four NSW Junior competing at 2022 JWOC in Portugal. The temperatures hit 40’c most days. With the extreme temperatures and forest fires the Portuguese Government issued a total fire ban on access to all forests for a week. This meant no forest orienteering was allowed. 

Once approved by IOF in only four days, the organisers delivered the first ever JWOC Sprint Relay and and unofficial Urban relay. So with the disappointment of the postponement of the middle, long or forest relay they had some competitions. 

Congratulations to our NSW Juniors Nea, Erika, Ewan and Sam for their great results in their first JWOC.

New dates will be released in the coming weeks for the 2022 JWOC middle, long and forest relays. At this stage it’s looking like early November, 2022.

JWOC Results:

All restrictions on community sport have been lifted. See NSW Government.

However, as COVID 19 infection rates surge in the community event organisers are encouraged to continue to implement COVID 19 safety measures at orienteering events including:

• excluding people who are sick, or have tested positive for COVID 19 or are otherwise required to isolate
• encouraging volunteers and spectators wear masks if they are not able to physically distance. This includes volunteers at download stations (outdoors and indoors).
• reducing opportunities for spreading infection by:
  • providing hand sanitiser for use by competitors before and after the event
  • encouraging social distancing where possible
  • limiting Enter On the Day (EOD) entries by encouraging pre-entries
  • enabling EOD entries via eventor on the day
  • using contactless systems for EOD payment
  • publishing results online.  

The Chief Health Officer has recommended that masks be worn for any indoor activities where attendees cannot physically distance. This may apply to club meetings and workshops. See https://www.health.gov.au/news/press-conference-with-chief-medical-officer-paul-kelly-and-minister-mark-butler

Sample COVID 19 Safety Plan

Whilst there is no longer a NSW Government requirement for a COVID 19 Safety Plan for outdoor sporting events clubs should consider maintaining a plan and/or guidance for event organisers to follow to keep orienteers and their families and friends safe. An updated sample COVID-19 Safety Plan for Minor Orienteering Events is now available.

COVID-19 safety for community sport

To help sport clubs and associations continue to welcome members and visitors in a COVID safe way NSW Office of Sport has produced a communication toolkit assist clubs to convey COVID 19 safety messages to their sporting community. It includes tailorable content including newsletter/web copy, social media assets and posters.

Cancellation policies relating to COVID 19

Clubs are encouraged to fully refund entry fees for those entrants who are unable to attend an event due to genuine COVID-related concerns.

The following embargoes for next year's Sydney Sprint Weekend (11 and 12 March 2023) are now in place:

University of Sydney (Camperdown Campus)

No reconnoitering or training including training with one of the existing orienteering maps of the campus is permitted. Other activities, including other sports events, within the campus are not included in this embargo. 

UNSW (Kensington Campus)

No reconnoitering or training including training with one of the existing orienteering maps of the campus is permitted. Other activities, including other sports events, within the campus are not included in this embargo.

St. Gregory's College, Campbelltown

No reconnoitering or orienteering training on the campus is permitted.  

University of Western Sydney (Macarthur Campus)

No reconnoitering or training including training with one of the existing orienteering maps of the campus is permitted. Other activities, including other sports events, within the campus are not included in this embargo.