Stacey was introduced to orienteering through rogaining, and she recalls her first experience as a challenging start. Instead of opting for an easy sprint or park event, she decided a farmland with forest course would be a good adventure  “I really had no idea. It had a bushy forest section with lots of native bush.” Now she has 5 years of orienteering experience, starting from orange courses and working her way up. Having previously participated in numerous mountain biking events and adventure races, she’s always up for a challenge. “I really enjoy being outdoors. What I like about orienteering is that you can get into this sport as an adult, there are not many sports where you can do that”.

Stacey’s background includes attending horse riding camps as a child, where she learned the importance of ‘mucking in’. As a secondary school teacher, she has been involved in many more camps and is used to adjusting to different learners’ needs. This year, Stacey has taken an active role in coaching and managing logistics for the Francis Douglas / Sacred Heart team in the Hillary Challenge, and it was especially satisfying to see them finish in second place.

Orienteering Taranaki are excited to have a junior camp on their doorstep with the New Plymouth Boys’ School conveniently close to two local sprint maps. Youngsters in the Taranaki club don’t often get the chance to be with a large group of a similar-aged orienteer and having training pitched at their level.

Members of Orienteering Taranaki say Stacey will make an excellent Junior camp manager due to her evident planning and mentoring skills combined with the ability to tackle challenges head-on. She has been instrumental this year in revamping the rogaine series for the club, which is set to kick off Thursday evenings over the coming weeks.