Juniors - constructive criticism needed!

[Becks]

I was going to post this in the Junior Forum but there's not much time so I thought I'd get things started here. I'm working with Suse Coon, one of the BOF councillors, to get the junior view a bit more representation within BOF. The first council meeting since the AGM is this weekend, and I just wondered if Juniors have any points they would like raising. I'm waiting for an agenda so I'll be a bit more specific when I receive one. Until then, let me know either on here or by PM if there's any burning issues you'd lile raising.

[rob f]

No junior British Champs

I think that sounds quite clear

[rob f]

true, its pointless for the competitive junior but think of the young gaz - we're getting to old for new radical ideas

i sound like i'm 75 (no offence to OAPs, if your like chris schanning then definately not)

[Jess]

why can't it be got rid of?

[rob f]

yeah a bit longer - 5.7km for an M16 is a bore enless it has climb of 270m like the national or is tough technically like graythwaite - your not very likely to get the latter in the west midlands

[*Carol*]

surely if you dont like the 'equivelent' course you could run up? which is what the system enables you to do....

not everyone can run 5.7 km, the point is that each course is a step up from the one below, enabling juniors to progress and not have huge jumps. i started orienteering as a 2nd yr W14, so in less than a yr i would have had to start looking at W16B if i were to be competitive. then foot&mouth came along so i didnt get a chance to progress! yes the JMW5etc system annoys me now, but back when i started it would have been great. to keep o alive, we need to bring in and keep juniors. im surprised i ever got to where i am, i could have given up at any point.

but i do agree that the 18s and 20s on one course is stupid, i cant stand having to run against suzy robertson cus it always makes me feel bad about how long ive taken. and being a 2st yr 18 is hardly fun or encouraging as theres hardly anyone left who isnt trying to get into the GB squad, so the gap between the 'best' and the 'worst' is quite large...

theres pros and cons to every system

[CHS]

I think that the JM/W system also encourages good younger juniors to run up to courses that are an appropiate level of difficulty for them which is not bad. Is there junior on [nope]sport who has not been oreinteering for very long and can make a comment. My brothers stopped orienteering cos they preffered rugby which is something that can't be helped but i do know people who have gone through school and been pretty enthusiastic until the teachers stopped taking them, when they did not have enough motivation to continue going partly because thier parents weren't involved. I think that this is something that needs to be tackled at club or school level perhaps rather than by BOF unless they can think of some sort of structure to aid this.

[rob f]

i've been orienteering along time but still can't really manage jm1

[rob f]

random post!?!

[andy L]

I was against the system originally as the distances were quite short for the 20s and I preferred to run against the people in my year- it was annoying when you want to compare yourself and then one of you runs up! However, the legend that is Jim Clarke changed my view. The little kids when they start orienteering in year 7 cannot cope with the 12B course. This means that they either have to not go to badge events or they can run down and be n/c or run cc (if provided). They feel as if their quite crap if they cant even run a course for their age-clearly this is not good if we are trying to encourage these people to get into the sport. Once they can run the B course confidently they are often running against 2 or 3 runners at a badge event which provides poor competition for them and reduces enjoyment. Under the new system, they can run competitively against people of similar ability making for better competition and hence greater enjoyment. If the courses are too short, then you can run up which is quite a rewarding experience when you beat seniors- I know ill be expected to run M21L now by my coach. At the more "important" events the old system is still in place so you cant complain about that.