Performance Squads 2012

[northwest]

So perhaps it is time for other people to take these examples (along with the EUOC big weekend) and start rolling them out. One thing that these university clubs have is camaraderie which doesn't seem to be the case in many clubs. I'd say FVO is an exception. When you go to an event everyone gets changed at their car runs to the start from there and then back from the finish. No supporting team mates.

[Oldman]

... One thing that these university clubs have is camaraderie which doesn't seem to be the case in many clubs. ... When you go to an event everyone gets changed at their car runs to the start from there and then back from the finish. No supporting team mates.

Some comments:
1. There are rarely places to change other than your car.
2. Not getting changed reasonably soon after your run increases the chance of catching a cold or worse (especially when you're older).
3. Many orienteers' clubs have camaraderie, just not delivered in the way northwest expects.
4. Team mates are often supported at major events where there is a club tent.
5. With travel, some people are already using 4 or more hours to have their O fix: making it longer by staying to watch others finish doesn't suit everyone.
6. Not everyone enjoys a social session after their run: absolutely OK for those who want it (and if it will attract more participants, then let's have it), but don't criticise others who don't (or have good reasons for not).

[northwest]

I didn't think i was criticising merely observing. I would also be interested to hear how I "expect camaraderie to be delivered" as i'm not sure I covered that, unless you are telepathic...

[NeilC]

I certainly recall a lot of cheering ones clubmates on from University days. Until the last one was back the car/minibus couldn't leave.

[lostlad]

Some comments:
1. There are rarely places to change other than your car.
2. Not getting changed reasonably soon after your run increases the chance of catching a cold or worse (especially when you're older).
3. Many orienteers' clubs have camaraderie, just not delivered in the way northwest expects.
4. Team mates are often supported at major events where there is a club tent.
5. With travel, some people are already using 4 or more hours to have their O fix: making it longer by staying to watch others finish doesn't suit everyone.
6. Not everyone enjoys a social session after their run: absolutely OK for those who want it (and if it will attract more participants, then let's have it), but don't criticise others who don't (or have good reasons for not).

1. a field (or even club tent) not good enough for you?

2. bullsh*t

3. it is true, see OMM thread.

4. part timers

5. waa

6. why come out from the cave then?

[Oldman]

It's a pity that sensible comments intended to foster a rational debate should be met with abuse, but if that's the way Nopesport is going, ....

[AndyC]

Maybe a "respectful attitude" is one thing we oldies want/create that alienates the younger set?

[Mrs H]

Perhaps Oldman should change his signature?

[andypat]

Perhaps Oldman should change his signature?

Harsh but fair

[ER]

in the last 12 months two topics exceeded 10 pages of postings:

UK Masters - 14 pages

Results and Rankings - 38.

These posts just reflect the sports' demographic - it is a sport dominated by the over 40's whose male component in the main of those who post are driven by competition with their peer group.

There seems little celebration or joy for when GB elite do well in international competition. Only 5 posts (did not even run to a page) commented on the 4th podium place at the recent final world cup sprint race. There also seems to be evidence of gender bias in posting. Would there have been more excitement if it had been a UK male who had climbed that podium?

I have been deterred very often from posting because of the tone and nature of some posts. Compare it to the Fell Runners forum which is just great fun and people say things on there which get the point across but make you laugh at the same time. They know how to congratulate themselves for a job well done. See for eg the posts on the FRA Relays. There was more positive publicity given to the triumphs of the orienteers who swept the board on that day than in these pages.

Orienteering always does a good job in my experience in putting on events and there are often many posts which do express gratitude and pleasure at an event. But then there are others which will complain - I am not a customer of orienteering - why would I ever need to complain. I know of many people lost to the sport because of having to put up with criticism after organising or planning an event. I know of non orienteers who do not join the sport because we are perceived as being precious and isolationist. Anyone reading a lot of these pages would run a mile.

I am quite convinced that all those who have posted on this topic have no malice and each is passionate in their own way about this brilliant sport of ours. However Nopesport was set up ( if I am not mistaken) to portray the sport as vibrant, athletic, inclusive, to promote a different image to the traditional one. I doubt that some of the pages and postings are fulfilling that promise and intention.

[Rockaldo]

Still like to hear what rockaldo meant

Think my mother just put it in to context for you.

[madmike]

Indeed

[mappingmum]

<All of it>

An excellent, reasonable, well-considered post.

[awk]

Fair comment ER - much food for thought.

Without in any way detracting from what you say, those threads have accumulated those pages over very long periods - people have lumped discussions into one thread with those, whilst talking races, internationals etc in separate threads. Thus WOC generated almost 40 pages (more than the 18 month long Results and Rankings thread) in just a fortnight, over several threads. But still accept the main thrust of what you are saying.

So, without banning people from discussing what interests them (and that'll be mostly the orienteering they do), any suggestions as to how the issue can be addressed?

(BTW, whilst aware of the danger in hijacking this thread, a personal note on the World Cup thread/news. I think there's loads of pleasure about international success, when we know about it. I didn't: I don't look at the BOF website every day, and looking at the BOF News archive, the (brief) article about Tessa and Scotia's successes was knocked off the front page within less than 24 hours by all sorts of (bluntly) trivia. There had been no build up - I was completely unaware that it was happening - and there's been no follow up. That's not lack of interest (I was glued to the World Champs coverage), it just wasn't and hasn't been sufficiently visible, and I didn't pick up the news until days afterwards when somebody mentioned it to me. Maybe says something about one aspect that needs addressing??)

[andypat]

Thats a good point - you cant support your team if you dont know they are playing!
I suppose the question is is it BOF's role to publicise that sort of thing - and if not - could it be done better on here?