Update (Friday 17 Apr 2020): Due to the current COVID-19 situation and the cancellation of all Orienteering events in the foreseeable future, the existing Selection Notices for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Team 2020 and the World Schools Championships Orienteering 2021 have been withdrawn.  New Selection Notices for these events, if they proceed, will be published at some later date.

Steve Oram
Convenor, Junior Selection Panel

St Helens, Tasmania and surrounds, 26 September to 4 October 2020

This year, two teams of equal ability will be selected to compete for the Southern Cross Trophy against the six Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory in the 2020 Australian Schools Championships.

The championships will be held in and around St Helens in Tasmania as part of the Australian Championships carnival which runs from 26 September to 4 October 2020.

The specific School’s championship events are:

• Sprint Championship – Tuesday 29 September 2020
• Individual Championship – Wednesday 30 September 2020
• Relay Championship – Thursday 1 October 2020

Further event information at https://aoc2020.tasorienteering.asn.au/

Each of the two teams will be a maximum of 20 athletes in size; five in each of Senior Boys, Senior Girls, Junior Boys and Junior Girls.  Senior grades have a birthdate of 2004 or earlier.

Selection Criteria

The team selection will be made in accordance with the Orienteering NZ Policy G1 – Selection Policy and Appendix.  This policy is available on the Orienteering NZ website.

The 2020 New Zealand Secondary Schools Teams will be based on performances at the following event:

• Queen’s Birthday Weekend orienteering event hosted by Auckland Orienteering Club in and around Auckland, Saturday 30 May to Monday 01 June 2020

If you wish to be selected for the NZ Schools Team, you must race in either the Junior Boys/Girls or Senior Boys/Girls ‘A’ grade at the Queen’s Birthday event in Auckland.  Junior: born 2005 or later.  Senior: born 2004 or earlier.

Exception to Selection Criteria

With the change to two teams in 2019, orienteers who have been selected for the 2020 JWOC Team are now eligible for selection for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Team.  JWOC Team Members and Junior Pinestars athletes only should run M/W20E at Queen’s Birthday.

Availability for selection

It will be assumed all orienteers entered in Junior Boys/Girls or Senior Boys/Girls ‘A’ Grades at the Queen’s Birthday event will be available for selection, so no nomination is necessary.

Athletes whose performances at the Queen’s Birthday event may result in their consideration for selection, but who are not available for selection, should advise the Selectors Junior Panel Convenor, Steve Oram [steveoram@gmail.com] by Friday 29 May 2020.

Team Travel

Orienteering NZ is currently reviewing the Team Travel policy.  Notification of team travel options will be provided to selected athletes as soon as a decision has been made.

Costs

For 2020 Orienteering NZ has set a standard Athlete Contribution fee for the NZ Schools Team 2019 at NZ$1500 and includes team competition costs such as entry fees, food & accommodation and travel while in Australia; Team Staff travel, food & accommodation and accreditation costs; training maps, etc.

The Athlete Contribution fee does not include international airfares to/from New Zealand; these will be charged in addition to the Athlete Contribute fee if Orienteering NZ arrange this travel.

Announcement of Team

The Selectors plan to announce the team as soon as possible after the Queen’s Birthday weekend trials and no later than 30 June 2020.