I’ll start this month’s compass point update with how we finished our recent Board meeting with BEST WISHES to the Southern Cross and Pine Stars Teams heading over to Queensland shortly to compete against the Australians. In total the juniors heading over from New Zealand make up about a third of the field, including the southern cross team, Jenni Adams’ development group and other keen orienteers entered. So to all the New Zealanders either competing for New Zealand or over there for the orienteering experience, good luck, go well in Australia and have fun.

As a Board our focus is currently strategic planning. Please do take the opportunity to come along to one of the forums. On 9th October the focus is doing a check with our members that our draft strategy is heading in the right direction and reflecting the needs of our membership. We will also use some of the time to discuss the format of our national relay champs at Easter. Recently we have had feedback that there could be an opportunity to improve this competition. Relay numbers are often around half that of the sprint, middle and long, We are also keen to understand the barriers to increased entries. On 30 October we invite club representatives to attend the club forum, again to consider the draft strategy, but more specifically to understand where ONZ can support clubs.

Links to sign up to both forums can be found within the draft strategy document as well as on the ONZ Website. A club newsletter will be sent out within the next week that will also include the link to the President and Club Leaders Forum.

If you’re unable to attend the forums please get in touch with me or Christo for a chat or please send us your thoughts. It’s so important and helpful to receive ideas and feedback from members and clubs to inform our focus.

Sarah O’Sullivan   |   ONZ Board Chair