VHI 2023 Report – Mallards Pike

By Sharon Dickenson So October comes around quickly when you are a Team Manager….it begins in May and gently meanders until showtime….VHI weekend! The hosting country being England this year the venue was unveiled as the Forest of Deane, well known historically as a royal hunting forest, suggesting good running underfoot and vast depths of varied vegetation. Accommodation – all together in the Wye Valley YHA, sure it will be good crack all being in 5-star accommodation, like a big school trip. Team Ireland sorted – after chasing a worthy O’er in each age category from the length and breadth Read More …

Junior Inter-regional Championships (JIRCs) 2023 Report

By Steph Pruzina As an intrepid band of juniors packed their bags carefully and prepared for an early flight to Birmingham the team leader was making last minute arrangements…..spare dibber- check; control description holders – check; whistles – check; driving license – Panic.. Apparently DVLA do NOT inform you when your license expires and it is theoretically possible to continue driving in blissful ignorance for an unspecified period of time, but not possible to hire a car with the same expire license! A plan was hatched. If we just get the 9-seater advertised at the next hire place then Steph Read More …

🌒Night Nav Coaching

👍Coaching is open to all NI Orienteering club members age 16+ Join us for 4️⃣ exciting evenings of Night Nav Coaching!The first session will take place at Lady Dixon Park, BT17 9LA on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 19:30. ❗Booking covers all the progressive sessions – please attend all 4.📝To register click on this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/night-nav-coaching-tickets-728150025327?aff=oddtdtcreator🏃‍♀️Hurry, there are limited spaces, booking closes 10 November.

Training & Coaching Courses

🧠It is this time of year that we want members to think about how they would like to develop as an athlete, coach or volunteer. 👍Whatever you are involved with, we feel it is important to reflect and improve your skills, so there is development money available to cover training – just let Ric know if you what courses you are interested in attending (chairperson@lvo.org.uk). 🚑We will also be arranging First Aid Training early in the new year. This opportunity will be open to those who haven’t done Rescue and Emergency Care training before and would be happy to support Read More …

🍂🧭EXPLORE MORE – this Autumn🧭🍂

🌳 The first of 3 Autumn Adventures is exactly 1 month away – so start making arrangements! 🗺 Where? At the wonderful Gosford Forest Park 📆 When? Sunday 22 October, starts from 2pm until 3.30pm 💻 Online entry is now open! More info here. ✏Pencil in the 2 NI Colour Series events now too. Further information to follow along with online entry.

Autumn Trophy News

🍂AT1 Cain Wood – Sat 9 September 👏Thank you to all those who volunteered to put on an excellent event on Saturday. Special thanks to Organiser, Dan Earnshaw, Planner Alison Collins and Controller Geoffrey Collins. There were others who also helped out in smaller ways such as results download, control collection, setting up and packing away, I saw Colin and Mark involved on the day but maybe others too. Beforehand Alan helped with printing maps and Mark/Sharon with setting up SiEntries too. 🌞All the above efforts and the fantastic weather allowed for a fantastic day exploring the forest for the Read More …

Autumn Trophy 1 – Entry Deadline Thursday 7 Sept

🍂Autumn Trophy 1 – is at Cairn Wood, in the Craigantlet Hills of North Down. 🗺 4 different courses to choose from – Short Blue, Short Green, Orange and Yellow 💰Seniors £8 (Non-member £10) and Juniors £4 (non-member £5) ⏱Starts from 11am 💻For more info and online entry click here

Autumn Adventures Update

❗Next Event – This Saturday, 9th September – Cairn Wood (Autumn Trophy 1) – Online entry closes on Thursday. There will be 4 courses to choose from and suitable for all abilities, novice navigators and experienced orienteers will be well catered for. For info and entries click here. ❗Please note the NI Long Distance Champs scheduled for Sat, 14th Oct 23 at Slieve Croob has been postponed. More info to follow. 🌞Many of us ‘had a great time enjoyed and endured the sunshine up on the North coast on Saturday. North West Orienteering Club put on a brilliant event with challenging Read More …

First Aid Course – 2-Day Rescue and Emergency Care

Did you know that all our activities and events require a qualified first aider? There are lots of volunteering opportunities within our sport and club and this is one of them. This Emergency Outdoor First Aid Course is certified for three years and assessed by continuous assessment over the 2 days. Both days must be attended to complete the course. So, if you are a member who regularly attends more remote events (forests and open hill) and would like to be part of our first aid team, please get in touch and the club will happily cover costs for this Read More …

A WEE bit of feedback please

Have you been to a WEE or a MESS or maybe a community programme with the MEA or ABC council – Before we move on to the exciting Autumn programme, we would really love to hear your thoughts on our summer events and activities. What did you like? What could we improve more on? What would you like to see more of? Scan the QR code above or click on this link to fill in short survey and have you say with improving all things O!