Latest ONSW News
We are delighted to announce that new permanent courses are now open on Cockatoo Island and at West Pymble.
Both courses are available on the free MapRun6 app, and can also be done retro-style by writing the letter codes in the boxes on the information sheet for each.
We have only run once on heritage-listed Cockatoo Island - at the Xmas 5-Days in 2014 - so this will be a new experience for many. Please note that if you navigate in an undercover area (the sheds or tunnels) you will need to allow 10-15 seconds for the app to 'catch up' to you.
(The Term 2 Sydney SOS finale will be on Cockatoo Island on June 19, using SportIdent.)
Bicentennial Park at West Pymble (pictured) has been used for more than a decade for orienteering training, Space Racing, Sprints, the SOS, orienteering birthday parties and more. It's bathed in greenery.
All the information for these locations can be found on our permanent course web page. Each offers a score course plus three line courses.
We thank the landowners - the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and Kuring-gai Council - for their co-operation on these projects.
Newcastle have opened entries for this year's QB III carnival on the June long weekend.
Each of the three maps has only been used once, and two of them have new extensions.
These are events 5-6-7 in our State League and the final selection trial for the NSW schools team.
All the info you need is in the flyer.
There will be limited enter-on-day. Entries close Tuesday June 1.
A big thanks to Bennelong Northside who continue to find ways to make great use of their huge Manly Dam map.
Setter Rachael Povah and controller Terry Bluett reprised last year's new McComb Hill section for Sunday's MetrO League round 3 but added a new pocket in the far south-east corner.
It seems the local kids have been adding a few bike tracks in that part, which gave everyone the option of path or bush bash in what is a steep part of the map. It allowed the rookie course to remain close to the assembly area of the totally rebuilt Manly Vale Public School.
And we noted several newcomers in Division 6 (it's on the Easy side of Moderate standard): Khalil Assaf and Sara Jaffer from Illawarra Kareelah along with Nicole Gallahar from Garingal. They shared the spoils in a 27-27 draw. Well done on completing your first Metro courses.
Unbeaten teams after three rounds are Big Foot (Divn 1), SHOO-IKO (Divn 2), SHOO (Divn 3), Bennelong (Divn 4), Garingal (Divn 5 and 6).
A bumper turnout of 189 starters enjoyed a sunny morning as part of World Orienteering Day - in stark contrast to last year's deluge. Thanks to Ellis Leung for the wildflower photos.
All the results and splits are on the ML web page - along with a link to Livelox. Please upload your routes there.
Round 4 is at Eric Mobbs Reserve in Castle Hill on Sunday June 20, hosted by WHO.
Recently retired Orienteering Australia Executive Officer Paul Prudhoe celebrated 50 years in the sport at the recent NOL round on the NSW South Coast.
Paul started orienteering in high school in the UK in 1971, and has been actively involved in the planning, controlling and the organisation of events as a member of 11 clubs - Central Coast being the latest - over the years.
He moved to Australia in 1987, joined a local club and continued his passion for the sport. (In this photo from Broulee he's passing on his wisdom to grandson William.)
Paul was first elected to the Orienteering NSW Board in 2003, then president from 2008-2014. In 2015 he became ONSW Executive Officer in NSW and in 2017 he moved to take on the same role nationally.
Over the years, Paul has been involved in numerous major events in Australia – including helping with JWOC, World Masters and several Australian championships and NSW championships.
He is one of only three Level 3 Controllers in NSW, meaning he can organise world ranking events and is an International Orienteering Federation Event Advisor.
Paul was awarded the NSW President’s Award in 2015 for his outstanding contribution to the furtherance of orienteering in the state.
Congratulations Paul!
