What’s in this Issue:

• View from the Chair
• 2018 Council Elections Results
• JWOC Coach Vacancies
• High Performance Update
• Event Liaison Update
• NZ Annual Awards Nominations Open
• Parks Week
• ONZ Policy Updates

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View from the Chair –

First communication of the “new” year from me – so apt that I wish you all the best and hope that you’ve enjoyed your various activities through the Xmas period and summer season.

I briefly managed to catch up with a few people at Southern O Week at St Arnaud. As expected, the courses were always going to be very challenging and certainly caught out quite a few including myself who despite relocating several times, never managed to find the first control. I did manage to jump in half way round and complete the second half – never too old to learn!. Thanks to Nick Smith, PAPO and Nelson OC and all the volunteers for organising a great weekend. I understand that having been associated with Southern O Week for the past years, Nick is to take a well earned rest. Thanks for all your past endeavours Nick and hope you enjoy normal life again?

Whilst it is a relatively quiet time for our sport, ONZ is busily preparing for the AGM which means finalising last year’s financials, chasing up outstanding membership and levies, and seeking reports from the various convenors of committees to include within an ever bulging Annual Report.

At our final Council Meeting of 2017, the emphasis was on strengthening ties within the Oceania Region. We reviewed terms of reference for an Oceania Working Group and also proposed rules governing Oceania Youth and Junior Orienteering Championships.

The end of January saw the deadline for nominations for Council vacancies. With two Council members retiring and one existing vacancy, it meant that there were three positions to fill. I’m delighted that we received three nominations from the membership (news of which is given elsewhere) and welcome them to the fold.

It is rewarding to see new faces on Council and I see this as a realization that sitting on Council is all about governance, strengthening and growing our sport and that the task is not onerous but fun and interesting. Remember that each year two Council members are required to stand down and of course can reapply subject to not exceeding three terms on Council. I’m next on the agenda – so lots of opportunity for interested parties to step up!

A word of thanks to Alister Metherell and Tommy Hayes for devoting their time and energy to the development of orienteering. Special praise to Alister for his significant contribution not only to ONZ and PAPO but also to many South Island Clubs.

So finally we turn to Nationals and I hope many of you will be eager to run on maps used for the World Masters Games. The AGM is also earmarked for Nationals weekend – so please make the effort to attend and ensure someone from your club is represented.

David Turner
Chair ONZ Council

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2018 Council Election Results

3 vacancies for Council Members were advertised in late November with applications closing on 31 January 2018.

3 applications were received for the 3 positions so in accordance with the Orienteering NZ constitution the following members appointment to the ONZ Council for 3 years is confirmed. We welcome Magnus Bengtsson, Lynn McBain and Jenni Adams.

Thank you to retiring members Alister Metherell and Tommy Hayes for their time and contributions to the Council discussions and decisions during their respective terms.

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JWOC Coach Vacancies

ONZ is looking for a pre-JWOC Coach to work with those orienteers wishing to trial for JWOC and those selected to better prepare for the event.

JWOC Coach will travel with the team to Hungary in July continuing with training onsite and during JWOC.

For more information click here
Applications are still open until coach(es) are appointed.

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Upcoming Events

For upcoming events check out the Orienteering NZ website

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High Performance Update

Drugs in Sport

Athletes at the Under 23 Development Camp in early December were treated to a presentation from Drugfree Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ) on the issue of doping in sport. Given that most were previously unaware of much of what was presented, and the fact that it applied not just to elite athletes but to all of us, it is perhaps timely as we embark on new year to comment on some of the key points.

Firstly, as some of you will have seen in the media, there was an incident late last year when DFSNZ tested a series of club rugby players and found many to be in violation of the rules. This has raised awareness that the problem of doping in sport is not necessarily confined to the elite level. This was also emphasised by the fact that testing was carried out at one of the forest events at WMOC2017 in Woodhill – something at the time that many thought rather amusing as, at a masters event, many of the field will be on medications which may not actually be legal. The point is that DFSNZ could turn up at any orienteering event from the ONZ Championships to an Auckland Summer Series on One Tree Hill, and anyone found in violation of the rules is subject to a 4 year ban from all sport, not just the one they are tested in/at.

Of course there such things as Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) for, for example, banned substances that are part of a prescribed medication, but in general these have to be applied for in advance of competition.

One point of interest is that DFSNZ are very wary of supplements, as, unlike medicines and many foodstuffs, these are often subject to possible contamination in the production process. While many will associate supplements with weight loss formulae, of muscle building concoctions, DFSNZ included in this such common things as energy drinks. So next time you go for a Powerade or Gatorade be aware that there is a risk associated with – the underlying theme being that anything you take or eat is your responsibility to ensure it is allowable.

Finally, DFSNZ have a service which allows you to text the name of any medication to 4365 and you will receive a rapid response giving the status of that item – banned completely, banned in competition, allowable etc.

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Event Liaison Update

Controller Clinic – 3-4 March 2018

Controllers Clinic, Upper North Island: Beginner, club level and Orienteering NZ graded controllers; a great opportunity not to be missed!

We are arranging a Controllers clinic to be run by IOF Controller Marquita Gelderman on the 3-4 March 2018 at Huapai District School and the nearby Riverhead forest.

There will be a small cost of $20.00 to cover venue hire etc, which will be payable to your club.

The clinic details will be updated on the ONZ website; Orienteering NZ Events

Please register online using this link; https://goo.gl/forms/X4HHpsww52Ve0e932

More information? Contact Russell Higham events@orienteering.org.nz

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ONZ Annual Awards 2017 Nominations Open

Services to NZ Orienteering
Our premier service award honouring an individual who has contributed in a most deserving manner to the development of orienteering in NZ.

International Performance
For achievement by an individual or team in international competition in year preceding.

Kapiti HAVOC Trophy
For international performance in year proceeding by a junior.

Coach of the Year
For outstanding contribution in coaching during year proceeding by an individual.

Mountain Bike Orienteer of the Year
For meritorious performance by an individual or team in mountain bike orienteering during year preceding.

Rogainer of the Year
For meritorious performance by an individual or team in rogaining during year preceding.

Administrator of the Year
For outstanding contribution in administration for either a club, ONZ or a special project during year proceeding by an individual.

Nominations close on 20 March 2018
Please send nominations to gm@orienteering.org.nz

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Parks Week 10-18 March 2018 – An opportunity to promote orienteering to a wider audience.

Parks Week 2017 was a huge success with hundreds of organisations across Australia and New Zealand holding events to celebrate the vital role parks play in creating liveable cities and thriving communities. the week saw Councils and other organisations on both sides of the Tasman running engaging events to raise awareness on the value of parks and open spaces, and to get people out of their living rooms and enjoying the outdoors.
This year NZ Recreation Association want to make Parks Week even bigger and spread the word:

• Visiting parks is good for your physical and mental well-being.
• Healthy parks are an essential ingredient for healthy people.
• Parks support health and well-being, enhance the ability to cope with and recover from illness and injury and help to reduce the risk of chronic disease.
• Parks build stronger and connected communities by providing places where people come together for leisure.
• Parks provide environmental benefits to our cities.

To promote an event [click here]. To find out what’s on near you [click here]

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ONZ Policy Updates

In 2014 ONZ introduced a new policy manual covering all aspects of orienteering business. These policies were developed in consultation with members. Each policy has a review date. While some of these dates have passed, ONZ is now commencing an ongoing rolling review process of policies to ensure they are accurate, current and represent best practice while achieving the outcomes originally intended.

Because this process is going to be ongoing, ONZ is now providing notice to all clubs if they have any feedback, suggestions or comments on policies being reviewed, to please forward them to the General Manager in a timely manner.

A list of the policies to be reviewed first can be found on the ONZ website.

This list will be regularly updated so please ensure you continue to check out what is being reviewed.

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Council nominations to the 2018 IOF General Assembly

The 2018 General Assembly will be held in Prague, Czech Republic on 6 October 2018.

At the General Assembly in Italy in 2014, the IOF Statutes were changed and the term length for Council members was increased from 2 to 4 years. A rotation system was introduced at the same time which means that 5 Council members terms are ending in connection with the 2018 General Assembly, and elections will be held for these Council positions.

The following Council members terms are ending as of the General Assembly 2018:
Vice President Mike Dowling (AUS)
Vice President Mikko Salonen (FIN)
Member Dominic Yue (HKG)
Member Maria Silvia Viti (ITA)
Member Tatiana Kalenderoglu (TUR)

Orienteering NZ will have a chance to nominate candidate for positions no later than 5 June 2018.

If you are interested in being nominated by Orienteering NZ for an IOF Council position, please contact Catriona to discuss your interest. Email gm@orienteering.org.nz as soon as possible.

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Orienteering Photos… Your Chance to get your photos on the ONZ website

We are wanting good looking images that reflects orienteering in NZ to update our website. We know lots of you do take photos of events etc and we’d love to use your photos on our website.

To fit the ONZ website banner we need images which will fit the narrow band size 1366 pixels x 300 pixels (or better e.g. 2732px x 600px or 5464px x 1200px) Please supply the original as we can crop as required.

If you have any images you are willing to share please send them to webmaster@orienteering.org.nz

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Keeping you more informed

ONZ has updated its enewsletter database which now allows you to chose which areas are of special interest to you – such as High Performance, Technical, Mapping.

To update your email list Preferences, please Click Here.

We welcome your feedback at any time.

Our mailing address is:
gm@orienteering.org.nz