The Board have had a number of discussions over the last year about home school students and their keenness to be able to compete fully in School Sport New Zealand (SSNZ) sanctioned events. Of ONZ Our North Island, South Island and National Secondary School competitions are SSNZ sanctioned events. SSNZ changed their rules in November last year to fully exclude home school students from participating, as well as not allowing composite teams from participating at SSNZ sanctioned events. The Board have had a number of discussions about balancing our aspirations for participation numbers and values of inclusion. They decided to run the events this year which are already sanctioned by SSNZ in accordance with the SSNZ rules, and to consult with our community later in the year as to whether ONZ should continue with SSNZ sanctioned events. Recent discussion with SSNZ means we now have a solution to allow composite teams to run in the relay, their results will be displayed as a ‘cup’ event. Home school and international students will be able to run on the day in public races available. This is a question a number of other sporting codes are considering in light of the changes to SSNZ rules last year. 
 
The nominations for Board members closed on 20 February. We received two nominations, but have three vacancies so if you would like to contribute to ONZ in this governance role (or know someone who would be a good candidate) please get in touch with Christo with your nomination by 20 March. Please reach out to any Board member (or Christo) if you have any questions about it. The skills the Board are keen on is someone who is passionate about orienteering and can bring skills to complement the direction of the strategic plan and the current business plan.

Happy orienteering as most regions are coming to the end of afterwork summer series in the next few weeks, and I hope everyone’s training for nationals is on track! :)