Latest ONSW News
Our first Bluebottles NSW junior squad camp for 2022 is from April 9-14 in Armidale.
Expressions of interest are due in the next week to
A rough program would be:
Apr 9-10 State League events
Apr 11-13 - orienteering training
Apr 14 - travel to Kingaroy in readiness for the 2022 Easter carnival
The camp is planned to be at NEGS, a boarding school. It will include dorm-style accommodation, and 2 meals a day provided by the school's dining room. While we will be able to take a good number of unaccompanied juniors, we will need a contingent of parent helpers and coaches to make this camp a success.
This camp is open to parents and juniors from all states.
Any junior who would like to move up to Moderate courses is welcome to join the NSW junior squad - they have a lot of fun while improving their skills and fitness.
Elite orienteers have been among the spoils at the annual Thredbo Fun and Fitness Week, put on by Ryan Armstrong (Bennelong Northside) and his brother Chad.
In Sunday's 2km Crackenback Challenge up the chairlift route - where 'runners' had to climb a phenomenal 600m - Victorian junior world sprint champion Aston Key was first across the line in 22.20.
Big Foot star Alastair George (pictured on track in the white cap) was third in 23.12, while Chad was 11th and Ryan 13th in 29.29.
ACT's Caitlin Young was third fastest woman in 32.02 and Emily Sorensen (BF) fifth in 33.46.
Past winners of this race include Orla Murray (Uringa) and Louise Fairfax, Maurice Ongania, Jo Allison and Carol Harding (ACT).
You can keep track of proceedings via the Facebook page.
Congratulations to the hard-working Friends of the Hut for taking out the ONSW Volunteer of the Year award for 2021.
It’s a safe bet that very few people are aware of this largely anonymous group, yet every orienteer knows of their work!
Belanglo House – affectionately known as The Hut - has been an ONSW asset leased from NSW Forestry Corporation since 1979. With the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic, the Hut has been unavailable to members for much of the past two years.
Our winners – the definition of unsung heroes - maintain this valued resource for training and events, and on a regular basis continue to make sure everything is well looked after.
The team includes Kev Curby (Manager, pictured here), Peter Howe (Occasional Caretaker Extraordinaire), Luke Wilmott, Dave Lotty and a bunch of others.
You can see the list of previous award winners here.
Congratulations to Barbara Dawson who has won the ONSW Encouragement Award for 2021.
Our winner is a whirlwind of positivity, whether coaching in schools or at local events.
Barbara (Garingal) is one of our most important coaches working in schools, where she is always encouraging the students to have fun - and to come along to club events.
She has been a stalwart at the River and Bay Orienteering Series (a joint Uringa and Illawarra Kareelah activity) as the lead coach for newcomers.
At events she's always quick to approach newcomers, check everything is in hand and let them know of the opportunities to do more. She has helped other club members to learn what works when helping first-timers.
She was ONSW’s rep on OA’s working group on the revamped primary schools kit, and in 2019 was named Volunteer of the Year along with husband Graeme.
You can see the list of previous winners here.
