Glenreemore Event postponed
The Glenreemore event on Oct 1st in Wickow is postponed to Oct 15th. The forecast is quite uncertain, but with the remnants of Hurricane Lee in the mix, it seems definite that there will be rain Sat night and into Sunday morning with the possibility of the river being dangerous to cross.
Orienteering Basic Instructor Courses
Two Orienteering Instructor Training courses will take place in November 2017.
Baltinglass OETC, Co. Wicklow – 2nd/3rd (Thurs/Fri) November 2017.
Kinsale OEC, Co. Cork – 11th/12th (Sat/Sun) November 2017.
The award is aimed at club orienteers, teachers, youth leaders and outdoor instructors in a position to introduce beginners to the sport.
Trainee instructors will:
- Be introduced to the Orienteering Ability Awards as a progressive scheme for developing orienteering skills in novice and beginner participants.
- Plan and deliver sessions that introduce the basic understanding of an orienteering map, including map colours and commonly used symbols.
- Explore a range of activities suitable for introducing of orienteering in the classroom, school grounds and in local parks and woods.
- Become familiar with equipment and skills necessary to organise orienteering activities.
- Learn to carry out risk assessments for orienteering activities and how to use course planning tools for organising simple orienteering competitions in private grounds, parks and small woods.
- Candidates will be required to complete a logbook and a practical teaching assessment to qualify as an Orienteering Instructor.
Candidates will need to have a basic knowledge of the sport and some event experience prior to the training, ideally this should consist of a minimum of three public events on Orange or Red courses (this is an entry level adult standard).
Booking: Booking is through Kinsale and Baltinglass OEC
Baltinglass: info@baltinglassoec.com
Kinsale: info@kinsaleoutdoors.com
JHI 2017 Team Announced
This year the Ward Junior Home International will be held in Wales on the weekend 07/08 October.
The selectors have spent a considerable amount of time looking at results and discussing the performances of all individuals. The competition for the twenty-four spaces on the squad has been very strong and shows the increasing strength of the entire Irish Junior Squad. There have been several close and tough decisions made.
As a reminder to those wishing to be selected for ANY of the races JHI/ JWOC/ EYOC, we recommend that you run the Elite courses if applicable to your age. This makes it easier for us to compare runs. The selection races will be announced near to the end of 2017, as will the date for the Time Trial. Please let me know ASAP if there are reasons for you not to attend the time trials or selection races.
I would like to wish those selected, the VERY best of luck, and I’m looking forward to a great weekends orienteering.
To those not selected- keep going, eyes up, catch those features, enjoy your orienteering, your time will come. Promise.
M18 Ruairi Long, Eoin Riordan, Ciaran Kearns, Cameryn Kelly Morrish
M16 Aidan McCullough, Andrew Elwood, Peter Reed, Cathal Lane
M14 Eoghan Whelan, Liam Cotter, Cuan Riordan , Daniel Earnshaw
W18 Emer Perkins, Eadaoin McCavana, Clodagh Moran, Ciara Silby
W16 Rachel Collins, Cloidhna Donaghy, Jordan Pim, Aoife O’Sullivan
W14 Catherine Joyce, Sinead Kearns, Meadow McCauley, Zane Kramins
NI Training Weekend- JHI Preparation
As this was the last selection race for the Ward Junior Home Internationals, and the first time I had attempted to organise a training weekend, I am ETERNALLY grateful for all the help I received.
We started off at the supremely well organised Northern Ireland Championships in Florencecourt. We got a little* wet, but as Pat McCavana says- if your feet aren’t wet you are NOT in the right place!
The scenery was astonishingly beautiful. What other sport brings you to such beautiful, and unspoilt parts of the world.
I spent much of my time talking to people, trying to chat and make myself known to as many as possible. For information my email is jeni@pims.ie
I had the absolute pleasure of presenting Mike Long with box of goodies on behalf of the Junior Squad. An absolute stalwart of junior orienteering, he encouraged not only squad members, but also parents to greater things. ALWAYS encouraging and enthusiastic. And always managed to get a run himself- must find out THAT secret.
Thanks to the FERM-O chairman, Stephanie had managed to secure accommodation for those staying over for the training. Many thanks to Debbie Whelan, Edith Bridcut and Ciaran Donaghy who organised the food. One of the highlights of ANY overnight orienteering.
We spent some time on the Saturday night playing a few ice breakers and going over maps from the day. It was lovely to see new faces and I really hope that they felt welcome.
On Sunday morning we headed to the Gortlughany. We had kindly been left the controls that the longer courses had used on the Saturday. It was VERY wet and WILD. BUT you never can choose the weather you race in, so train in all weathers.
The Juniors went out in groups shadowed by adult volunteers. We put a time limit of an hour on the exercise. As Stephanie Pruzina said it was also an exercise in Shout-O, as the wind made talking impossible.
After quickly re-grouping we headed to Castle Saunderson for the second part of the training. We were piggy backing on the score event that was being run by FERM-O after the SHI relays.
Although the group were collectively tired and wet, all managed to go out again, apart from the three youngest who got first timers dispensation!
Thankfully Castle Saunderson has showering facilities so all were able to change into warm clothes in relative comfort.
I would like to thank the following people for helping out, making my life a lot easier. Without them I would have been flailing around in the dark.
Firstly Stephanie Pruzina- an expert in all things!
Raymond & Teresa Finlay and all at FERM-O for making the areas accessible and accommodating us so seamlessly into their already busy weekend
Debbie Whelan, Edith Bridcut and Ciaran Donaghy for the yummy food and help with the training
Steve Thorn- for taking the time to capture the squad in action
Andrew Cox, Billy Reed, Debbie Whelan, Ciaran Donaghy & Stephanie Pruzina who shadowed and tutored the juniors on the Sunday morning in horrific conditions
Philip McGoldrick for helping with the accommodation
Paul O’Sullivan Hourihan & Mike Long- for always being available to talk
So- What’s next????
I am already planning training for February- a day event, March- Time Trial & Overnight, April- Day Event
Summer Tour.
If you would like to take an active role in helping train our orienteerers of the future please get in touch. We are always looking for help with training/ driving/ cooking/ towel holding/ dibber finding/ map organising