About the South West Junior Orienteering Squad

What is the squad, and what does it do?

The South-West Junior Squad comprises a group of juniors and coaches/adult helpers from all around the SWOA area. Throughout the year we hold a number of training days in various parts of the region.

The squad acts as a link for juniors who are keen and committed to progress their orienteering beyond Orange courses and local/schools events into the World Class Start Programme, and onward to the National Orienteering Squad.

The year is focussed on the big championships and selection races held in the spring, and the Junior Inter-Regional Championships, usually held in June. As well as this, the squad competes in the Dorset Coast Path Relay, which is held annually.

The most important point is that we enjoy the orienteering, while making friends with similar interests - Fitness, Fun and Friendship.

Who can come?

To join the South West Junior Squad you need to be:

• A first year M/W14 or above i.e. 13th birthday or older during the season you join.
• A member of a SWOA club
• Running Light Green courses or above
• Silver Badge standard or above

Younger and less experienced runners can develop their skills with their own club training until they are ready to join the Squad, which currently has about 30 members.

We also rely on the support of parents and other adults to help in various ways at training (from help with transport to control hanging) - so any volunteers are welcome.

What's a training day like?

Training Days are held all over the south-west, though we try to keep to areas which are reasonably accessible to us all wherever possible.

Activities at these days are varied, working on improving the various orienteering skills, but also raising running fitness and looking at training plans, diet etc. We work in small groups so everyone gets some personal coaching from one of the Squad Coaches. Generally, each day finishes with a fun exercise or relay. Sometimes we will combine a training day with an event on the Sunday, and stay overnight in a local village hall. Training days or weekends usually cost in the region of £5- £15 each.

For more information

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in joining the South West Junior Squad and would like more information, or to be put on our e-mailing list, please contact Ben Chesters or Jeff Butt.