Category: News

A huge well done to Steph, Fionne and Moire, this year’s very deserving recipients of the Stephen McGibbon Trophy. Named in memory of Stephen McGibbon – a hugely respected orienteer and stalwart of Lagan Valley Orienteers who sadly passed away in 2006 aged just 51 – the trophy is not about podium places or split times. Instead, it recognises the individual or group who has made the most outstanding contribution to club life over the past year. And what a contribution this trio has made. Over the last 12 months, Steph, Fionne and Moire have gone all-in to welcome juniors Read More …

What a brilliant moment at today’s AGM as we celebrated our Event Officials of the Year 2025 – voted for by you, our members! There’s nothing quite like making orienteers happy… and these legends made orienteers the happiest this year. Each winner receives £20 credit to their SI Entries account — so they can get out there and orienteer even more (on us ). Club/NIOA Event Officials of the Year IOC Relays, Magilligan Graeme Francis & Michael Burton – Planners Murray Cowan – Organiser Raymond Finlay – Controller Experienced WEE Officials of the Year Mount Stewart WEE Extra Dan Earnshaw Read More …

The NIOA Juniors had an absolute cracker of a training weekend in Fermanagh! 🧭💪 Saturday kicked off with 4 hours of top-class training on Crossmurrin — honing attack points, bearings & distance, map memory, and taking on some seriously tough terrain and sneaky contours. Huge thanks to FERMO for lending us their map and to Steph for planning brilliant exercises. After a hearty dinner at Cladagh Glen Scout Centre (massive thanks to Angie for the pasta 🍝 and Kasia for the birthday cake surprise 🎂), the fun continued! Teresa and Raymond (FERMO) kept everyone entertained with Belgian mazes and night O around Gortahole Outdoor Centre 🌙✨ Sunday saw us back on Crossmurrin to join FERMO’s Frostbite event — challenging courses planned by Robbie, and even a bit Read More …

Looking for an outdoor adventure the whole family will love? Come along to Running Wild for a morning of orienteering fun in the forest! ✔ Run around the woods✔ Learn how to read a map✔ Make new friends✔ Enjoy plenty of fresh air and great fun outdoors 💷 Only £3 per child (FREE for club members)📅 Sunday 22 February⏰ 9.30 am – 11.00 am📍 Tollymore Forest Register today, via the link or the QR Code: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/YLBESgV4Du Perfect for families of all abilities — just bring your enthusiasm and sense of adventure! #RunningWild #FamilyFun #Orienteering #OutdoorAdventure #TollymoreForest #GetOutside

Reminder: nominations for the The Steve McGibbon Trophy along with a supporting statement should also be sent to the Club Secretary. Nominations should be sent to the me by 7 February 2025 please. This is the most prestigious Annual Club Award which is voted on by all members attending the AGM. Many thanks Mark Earnshaw

Registration CLOSES Tuesday 10 February at midnight! Come along to LVO’s Club Meet on Saturday 14 February at Gosford Forest from 10am to 2pm and learn all the tricks and tactics to becoming a Score Champion… the orienteering kind, of course! 😉 Stephen Gilmore will help you think through how to tackle a Score Event, just in time for the NI Score Championships on Saturday 21 February. Talk about perfect timing! ⏱️🔥 And why stop there? ❤️ Stick around for the LVO AGM afterwards at 1pm and spread the love with your fellow orienteers. 👉 Full details here: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/club-meet-feb-26/ 👉 Read More …

Notice is hereby given that it is proposed to update LVO Constitution to replace the term ‘Chairman’ with ‘Chair’ in the five instances where it appears. As per the last paragraph, ‘The constitution will only be changed through agreement by majority vote at an AGM or EGM.’ Thus, this amendment will be proposed at the AGM set for Gosford Forest Park on 14 February 2026. Thanks Secretary Mark Earnshaw

If not, come along to LVO’s Club Meet on Saturday 14 February at Gosford Forest from 10am to 2pm and learn all the tricks and tactics to becoming a Score Champion… the orienteering kind, of course! 😉 🏁 Score Event secrets revealed 🧠 Smart tactics & time management ⭐ Expert coaching from Stephen Gilmore Stephen will help you think through how to tackle a Score Event, just in time for the NI Score Championships on Saturday 21 February. Talk about perfect timing! ⏱️🔥 And why stop there? ❤️ Stick around for the LVO AGM afterwards at 1pm and spread the Read More …

The Mapping Team* met in January 2026 to review plans for the year and agree how best to use our limited volunteer mapping resource to keep LVO’s maps as up to date as possible, with a focus on supporting upcoming events:  The team also discussed future mapping priorities, in response to the loss of many of our best technical forest areas over the last 2 years. The aim is to deliver one or two new TD5 maps this year, with a pipeline of other areas identified for mapping in future years. Several promising potential areas have been identified and will be further Read More …

Entries close tomorrow (Monday 19 January) for LVO’s first event of the year — the LVO Score Championships — set in the stunning grounds of Stormont Estate, Belfast on Saturday 24 January. ⏰ Mass Start: Noon, Registration from 11.15 am📍 Stormont Estate, Belfast Choose your challenge and race against the clock:🟡 30 minutes – Young Junior Course🟠 45 minutes – Junior / Novice Course🟢 60 minutes – Senior CourseCollect as many points as you can. Strategy matters! Perfect for first-timers and experienced orienteers alike, this is a fast-paced, tactical event that will test your navigation skills and decision-making. 👉 Full event details: https://lvo.org.uk/allfixtures/lvo-club-score-champs-2026/👉 Enter now (or via the QR code): https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?elid=Y&event_id=17131 #Orienteering #LVO #ScoreChamps #StormontEstate Read More …