Latest ONSW News
Julian Dent gave mere mortals a taste of world-class orienteering when he flew around the former UTS Kuring-gai campus in 16m44s to win the annual Big Foot Sprints on Saturday.
Australia's top-ranked male orienteer dominated the two 1.4km races to the disbelief of regulars. With an actual distance closer to 3.2km, that's just over 5 minutes per kilometre in mostly rocky terrain. Wow.
The Sweden-based Central Coast star finished two and a half minutes ahead of Uringa's Ondrej Pavlu, with ACT's Grant Bluett third.
ACT elite Shannon Jones took out the women's section in 23m20s, beating host club members Paula Shingler and Tracy Bluett.
Eoin Rothery's courses encompassed fine rock detail on the fringes of the campus with some up and down. It was great to see participants from Sweden, UK, ACT and Newcastle. Thanks to a limping Andy Simpson and the rest of the Feet for a top outing. Results, splits and more are on the Sprints web page.
As 2016 draws to a close, we are delighted to announce that membership of ONSW and its clubs has hit a record of 1317. Thank you to all our clubs for their work in attracting and retaining members.
School participations this year also topped 20,000 - a fantastic achievement and full credit to our development officer co-ordinator Jim Mackay who is now driving this important segment of our operations.
Event participations are also up above 23,000 again in a big vote of confidence in our organisers and setters.
We look forward to even better numbers in 2017 when we host Australia's two largest annual carnivals - the Australian 3-Days and the Australian championships.
A reminder that entries close this Wednesday (Dec 7) for the annual Xmas 5-Days carnival, whch this year returns to the Newcastle region.
The Newcastle club is committed to a massive event, with 5 days of Foot O and 3 days of MTBO. Details are on the carnival web page.
The carnival starts with a sprint at the Tighes Hill TAFE on the afternoon of Tuesday December 27, followed by four mornings of quality bush O in the Hunter region. The three MTBO events will be in the afternoons.
And entries for the annual 
Big Foot Sprints close next Monday. This unique two-race sprint event will be held on Sat Dec 17 at Crimson Hill, formerly the home to UTS Kuring-gai, in Eton Road, Lindfield.
Entries are open via Eventor. And for the first time Big Foot will be offering a 1.5km one-off course for kids, families and anyone who wishes to do just the one short course.
We thank the Feet for their flexibility after permission was withdrawn for their initial venue of Rookwood Cemetery. Full details are here.
Looking for a present for that hard-to-shop-for loved one or friend ? Check out our list for those who've been 'nice' this year. All suppliers are wonderful supporters of orienteering:
Former Garingal president Tony Hill is widely regarded as the premier orienteering photographer in Australia, and he has put together a beautiful 2017 calendar with great shots from right across the country. Great for rusted-on O folk and non-orienteers alike.
If you've found yourself straying a bit (in the literal sense of course), Peter Shepherd advises he has the new STR8 compass in stock. Peter will have them for sale at the Xmas 5-Days in Newcastle.
Over at Aussie O Gear, Colin Price is ready to order a new batch of Aussie Supporters Shirts by Trimtex. Delivery will be in March so you have them for Oceania and WMOC 2017 in New Zealand. Orders are subject to quantity restrictions and must be placed by Jan 16. Polo $55, Vest $80, Jacket $100. Post is $10. Enquiries to Colin Price (
Pace Athletic offer all orienteers 10% off their entire range. With stores now at Manly, Mosman, Crows Nest, Kings Cross and Rozelle, they have a full range of running shoes, clothes and apparel.
