President’s Rant – February 2016

Thanks to the organisers of Southern O-Week and also the Wellington Waitangi 6’s – both quality events which attracted good numbers and also a splattering of visitors from overseas. Events early in the year appear to be more leisurely and less pressurised – maybe it’s the warmth of summer and the fact that many of us are still in holiday mode? Personally, the trip over Cook Strait for the Waitangi 6’s was ideal as it provided a chance to catch up with former club friends and even get to the second ODI being held at the Westpac Stadium.

Now the all the attention focuses on the Nationals hosted by Nelson OC with most of the events being held at St Arnaud in the stunning Nelson Lakes National Park. Entries close in early March – so this should act a reminder to those who have not already submitted their entry. Thanks in advance for all the hard work put in by the volunteers at Nelson and for the support provided by PAPO and also the visiting planners and controllers.

For Council, it’s business as usual as we ramp up towards the AGM with the need to finalise the Constitution and also financials and Annual Report. Oceania 2017 and World Masters Orienteering Champs planning and organisation continues and I’ve been advised that the first bulletin for the WMOC has been published and the entry system is up and running.

After a lull in communications, Orienteering Australia have been in touch and proposed some changes to classes at Oceania and for general junior competitions which are in the process of being reviewed by several ONZ Committees.

Sadly early February saw the tragic loss of an Auckland OC member, Gergo Verhas who suffered a fatal fall whilst pursuing his passion of mountaineering. He was an active volunteer and I know that he will be missed not just by AOC members but by the orienteering community as a whole.

So let’s end on a more positive note and wish good luck to those trialling for JWOC in Hawkes Bay.

David Turner
President

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Orienteering NZ Vacancies & Appointments

ONZ is currently advertising for the following roles:

• Event Liason
• Junior Development Committee member

The deadline for applications has been extended so we can get a suitable candidate. Full position descriptions for all these roles are available on the Orienteering NZ website.

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AGM Notice

Saturday 26 March 2016
5pm
Lake Rotoiti Hall, St Arnaud

To view the Final Agenda including the ONZ Resolution and club Remits Click Here

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2017 World Masters Games Updates

Embargoes…

A wee reminder to ALL orienteers the WMG2017 embargoes apply to everyone, regardless of whether you are a masters orienteer or not. Please ensure you respect and abide by these embargoes. Click here to find out about the embargoes.

World Master Games Registrations are Open

Registrations for WMG2017 are now open. Oceania will open shortly. Keep an eye on each website to ensure you get your entry in.

WMOC2017 Bulletin 1 – “Sports Information Guide” Published

The WMOC2017 Bulletin 1 is now published Click Here

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Adventure Safety workshops – April

Safety culture will be the focus of TIA’s Adventure Safety workshop facilitated by Chris Warburton. The workshops are scheduled for April. If you are involved in safety leadership roles in your club you maybe interested in these workshop..
Watch this space and the SupportAdventure website for venues and dates.

EOTC Guidelines review

A review of the Ministry of Education EOTC Guidelines, Bringing the Curriculum Alive (2009) is almost complete. The updated document falls in line with the new Health and Safety at Work Act that will come into force on 4 April 2016. The Guidelines underpin schoolwide management of education outside the classroom (EOTC), which includes outdoor education and any other programmes or events run in the outdoors.

You’ll be able to access the document on the Ministry of Education website TKI.

Free tramping guides

Mountain Safety Council’s new digital resources for the modern tramper – Day Walks and Multiday Tramping – are available to download and for sharing on social media.

Given the rise of phones and devices in wilderness areas, this initiative is geared towards visitors and Kiwis who plan their trips in a different way.

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Partnerships unlock opportunities for mountain bike revolution

Partnerships between landholders and recreational riders to create and deliver recreational biking opportunities are more and more “the done thing”, with farms, parks and open spaces and forestry areas being opened up.

From the recreational side, the benefits around access to areas such as forestry blocks are easy to imagine, due to the type of terrain this unlocks for trails in areas not usually accessible to the public.

Read the full article>>

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Upcoming Events

• NZ National Champs 2016  25-28 March 2016, Nelson – Entries are NOW OPEN
• For more events check out the Orienteering NZ website

2016 JUNIOR CAMP

The 2016 Camp will be hosted by PAPO and will be held 17-22 December 2016.

Did you notice?

PAPO have a new club website. Same URL (www.papo.org.nz), but much more stylish and easier to navigate. Some excellent additional functionality coming over the next few months too. Watch this space.

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Keeping you more informed

ONZ has updated its e-newsletter system which now allows you to chose which areas are of special interest to you – such as High Performance, Technical, Mapping. Subscribe today!

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