Latest edition of Focus.....

[SeanC]

The buddies sound like a great idea.

It's just a thought, but lots of clubs have saturday leagues similar to the MADO league, but often put on with the minimum of manpower. I went to one a few weeks ago where one person seemed to do absolutely everything. I dont want to knock this concept, it gives experienced orienteers regular local competition. However, the MADO example suggests we need more manpower at the local events if the are to attract and maintain new orienteers, as buddies or coaches or to do publicity.

Is this where the picnic comes in? Does this help attract more helpers if there's a social event afterwards for a gossip and some banter. Or are they just to fuel a bad scotch egg addiction?

[Mrs H.]

I wouldn't over emphasise the importance of the picnic - people take it or leave it - it's a nice way to wind down after the event and it makes the control collectors more part of the proceedings if everyone hasn't cleared off by the time they finish - I think the picnic is more important to the helpers than the customers.

We have started to wind down the number of buddies as people get used to things - We had a lot of local members of the club before we even started - some of whom were very occasional and peripheral orienteers - I approached all local members directly and personally and asked them to contribute irrespective of their past involvement.

(it has become a club joke that I once said "I don't ask favours - I give other people the opportunity to help" I am very direct and I have no qualms about asking - if I actually thought I owed my helpers favours in return I would sink under ther weight of it. I really believe I'm giving them an opportunity. I sincerely believe that a lot of people are just waiting for that direct approach rather than feeling confident to offer their services - especially if they are not sure they are good enough to be of service).

they seemed pleased to be asked and an unexpected bonus has been the drawing in of these peoplee into greater involvement and commitment to the club. I suggested that this was a way they could do their bit for the development of the sport and they have seemed keen to take on ownership of their bit of the project - incidentally - we have very active buddies from a neighbouring club and some locally based members of far flung clubs as well.

The blue T shirts are still very much in evidence at MADO events - i think people take a little pride in wearing them (you can't win one, you can't buy one they are a badge of honour!)

[SeanC]

Mrs. H wrote:

"I sincerely believe that a lot of people are just waiting for that direct approach rather than feeling confident to offer their services - especially if they are not sure they are good enough to be of service). "

It's an obvious point now I read it, but I must admit I've been guilty myself of just sending a blanket email or note in the club newsletter when asking for help.

Thanks for the info Mrs. H. Incidentally I found an overview of MADO in the good practice section of the BOF development website. Would it be possible someday for you to write a frequently asked questions document about MADO with some more detailed info such as that above (and get it on the BOF site)? I'm sure other clubs would find this useful. I'm not asking a favour here, I'm just giving an opportunity to help

[Mrs H.]

Ha ha ha - yes lots of people give me the opportunity to help - but I thought I had already done an in depth analysis when Ravinous featured MADO in the June edition of CompassSport - two page feature with some good pictures - take a look at that and if you have any questions left by the end of it then I'll help!

[Axel]

Guildford Uni and Battersea Park Sprint O's in 2005 at their best, awesome, no controls vandelised, great for spectators and great courses provided for all. No navigation needed you tell that to some of the worlds top competitors which were seen making a number of errors during these races.

These competitions also seem to attract a more than fair number of competitors.I look forward to the Oxford City sprint race later the year and will no doubt be one of the many runners that take part.

[awk]

I look forward to the Oxford City sprint race later the year and will no doubt be one of the many runners that take part.

But not, I gather, the national squad, who I have heard have turned down the offer of free entry and transport from the organisers. Seems like a great opportunity to raise the profile of the sport (and the squad) being missed, and not exactly in accord with some of the ideas emanating from BOF about the importance of this. Of course, I may have heard wrong (and really hope I am), but if that is the case, looks like a classic example of shooting oneself in the foot.

[brooner]

I look forward to the Oxford City sprint race later the year and will no doubt be one of the many runners that take part.

But not, I gather, the national squad, who I have heard have turned down the offer of free entry and transport from the organisers. Seems like a great opportunity to raise the profile of the sport (and the squad) being missed, and not exactly in accord with some of the ideas emanating from BOF about the importance of this. Of course, I may have heard wrong (and really hope I am), but if that is the case, looks like a classic example of shooting oneself in the foot.

Its what I heard too, and was going to write something about this earlier but didn't get round to it. As well as the general profile raising of the sport and squad its also the sort of thing that sponsors would lap up, which in turn would aid future generation of sponsorship deals.

Orienteering doesn't attract sponsorship because much of it is away from the public eye and without extra income to implement things that could turn it into a sponsorable event we hit a bit of a vicious circle. Here was an opportunity to put the best athletes in the country on display, in a city centre, and really showcase the sport, our athletes, and of course their sponsors and demonstrate that we can put on an event that is truely worthwhile in terms of sponsorship.

But no, we won't see the GB squad, they'll be in a forest somewhere away from the public eye.

[Axel]

I have to agree with Brooner, any chance of a comment from BOF or Team Management?

[Gross]

But no, we won't see the GB squad, they'll be in a forest somewhere away from the public eye.

Strikes me a fecking stupid move on part of GB with the new CEO vision including 'awareness of orienteering across an expanding sector of the public'. Not as though the squad can have any real secret squirral type training in preperation for WOC 2007 in mid Autumn in GB

[rocky]

The invitation to the squad inaugral can be seen on the British Team pages of the BOF website.

It says something like "We do not intend to participate at the Oxford Sprint Race or the November Classic, any athlete who wishes to must speak to squad management"

I have to agree with everyone above, it seems damn stupid to have the whole squad 50 miles down the road (inaugral is at longmoor camp) from one of the best looking races of the year and not go. It would give the event such a boost and be a definite positive for the profile of the squad, both amoungst non-elites and Joe Public. Especially given the high degree of success GBR has achieved in sprint racing and how few opportunities there are in britain to run a good course on a new map.

I'll be speaking to 'squad management' anyway...

[tendon]

Guildford Uni and Battersea Park Sprint O's in 2005 at their best, awesome, no controls vandelised,

Not quite ... students!

[Gross]

The invitation to the squad inaugral can be seen on the British Team pages of the BOF website.

Seeing that makes the decision even more daft... much better to think it was an accident or a simple error but looks like Derek Allison & his staff made a positive decision not to attend the Oxford Race.... bet such a fuss is caused that they re-think and decide to go after all

[DIDSCO]

Isn't the Oxford race taking place on the Saturday evening? If it is then its not suprising the squad management decided the team would not participate in the race. One of the major reasons for having the inaugral is the Saturday evening dinner and party, guess the management didn't want people to miss this.

Gross > surely even you remember our epic inaugral saturday nights, not to be missed eh!

[Gross]

One of the major reasons for having the inaugral is the Saturday evening dinner and party, guess the management didn't want people to miss this.

Gross > surely even you remember our epic inaugral saturday nights, not to be missed eh!

May be wrong but I suspect there be no viewing of the teaport of signature nowadays They were classic nights

[Scotia]

I totally agree with the decision not to attend the oxford city sprint.
Many of the squad have been competing hard all season and the inaugral weekend is a weekend to do some good training with mates, celebrate the year and talk about the year ahead.
People always get upset about an elite minded decision, but that's part and parcel of being an elite athlete.

If you want to get a group of elite athletes from the British squad in the public eye, then hold your event in the orienteering season and stop whining because the elites are not satisfying your wishes!