Orienteering for the next decade

[Scott]

Here are some talking points for the future of orienteering:

• Scrap National Events
• Reduce the number of multi day events;
• Schedule more local low key, no frill, events
• Operate a mix-fix policy in larger regions - several colour-coded events on the same day
• Remove the plethora of age groups and classes at badge events
• Simplify course planning e.g. avoid ever longer and harder courses and use fewer controls (do we really need 14 controls on 7km as in common now?)
• Resist the trend to overmap poor quality land to make it "suitable" for a major event
• Improve standards of event budgeting (stop "treasurer's drift" and be prepared to publish the accounts
• Clubs to stop sitting on large bank balances which can only be used up by forever remapping the same areas
• Put parking at the top of the agenda at major events (no event should involve a 6km walk to the start as at this year's British Champs Relay)
• Encourage the setting up of more neighbourhood clubs and encourage big clubs to stop trying to continuously increase their catchment areas
• Encourage clubs to share land and maps
• When installing permanent courses don't just put the posts in and walk away, use the courses as ready to roll O-events
• Support O in schools (not just drawing a map and going away but offering on going coaching and training talks)
• Improve the image of the sport and make it more glamorous
• Above all stop trying to make rules and regulations to cover every aspect of the sport and trying (vainly) to legislate to make it fair by detailing every procedure and rule rather than stating principles

There's enough there to infuriate almost everyone and that of course is part of the problem - can we discuss these issues in a rational way?

Stolen verbatim from CompassSport 16.4 (Aug/Sept 1995)

[greywolf]

agree with a lot of that Scott but what are you on about with:

no event should involve a 6km walk to the start as at this year's British Champs Relay

it was no more than 1.5k from the far side of the main parking field
where did you leave your car - Forres town centre??

[edit - just read the small print - old person in need of glasses....]

[Clive Coles]

I think Compassport had it right back in 1995 and it's not far short of the mark now.

I think the sport has lost sight of one major problem. We are all running short of cash ~ we are not prepared to travel so far as we were.

We need more high quality local events containing 7 or more colour coded courses. Perhaps someone could think of a name.

I hope clubs will resist pressure to switch their old C4's to Regional events so that they can have a higher profit margin. A bramble strewn area does not become a regional event area overnight.

Time will tell

[distracted]

Nice to see how the sport has moved on in the last 13 years...

[SeanC]

Well maybe I'm too optimistic.... but I think the sport has moved on in the last few years - but often in ways not listed in the 1995 article: such as:

- electronic punching
- the end of master maps
- waterproof maps
- city races
- nopesport
- club websites
- results published on the day / next day
- route gadget
- online entry
- more flexible start times at regional events

I've probably missed lots of other things.

Also there are many more local events in my area at least - and the kit is much better.

Many things on the CompassSport wish list involve structural changes in the sport - that involves changing long standing habits and opinions and agreeing new structures - which is bound to be hard in a sport for individuals that like to choose their own route. I think BOF should be given some credit for having a go with the event review.

[EddieH]

Your second point "Reduce multi day events"

Surely these are the ones that make travel more worthwhile.
Later you are trying to prescribe fewer controls and shorter courses - to hell with whatever makes good planning.

And after all that list you write
"Above all stop trying to make rules and regulations"

[seabird]

I hope clubs will resist pressure to switch their old C4's to Regional events so that they can have a higher profit margin. A bramble strewn area does not become a regional event area overnight.

Time will tell

Are not the new regional events supposed to be defined by the quality of the event and facilities - not the size.

Brambles have been widespread on many an area historically used for Regional events. -and non-existent on many an area traditionally used for a C4. I have encountered some excellent planning on some bramble strewn C4 areas.

To make an old style C4 into a Regional Event does not mean you have to increase the entry fee. Nor should we. Event fees should be aimed to produce enough surplus to assist a clubs development plan and no more.

Many old style Regional Events seem heavily over-priced currently - unless there are horrendous land access fees we are not being informed of. Maybe by making the old C4s "Regionals" we may help reverse that trend.

[RJ]

[*]Clubs to stop sitting on large bank balances which can only be used up by forever remapping the same areas

The sport desperately needs a national 'computer system/website' that is fully interactive and involves all aspects of the event/competition/membership structure. Why is it taking so long to implement? Cost?

Come on BOF.... how much is needed to get things sorted? £10k? That should be easy to fund from clubs who have large surpluses sat away in banks. It is in all our interests to get it sorted, because the sport would 'work' so much more easily. OK, clubs could loan the money to BOF (0% interest would be appropriate), and get it back over time.

Come on BOF.... I dare you give the clubs a challenge to fund the development. I am prepared to ask our committee to support a £1000 loan on those terms.

[frog]

I disagree with RJ. I think orienteering has enough computer stuff attached to it. Mapping can now be done by clubs on computers, course setting done on computers, SI and EMIT means punching and results are done by computer. Clubs have their own websites, fixtures are now on computer. This website is here for discussion of orienteering. I think the last thing we need is more geekery. We need to ensure everyone knows how to work the existing stuff and concentrate on mapping areas, publicising events and putting on events our members want to go to.

[mharky]

You've missed the point Frog.

RJ isn't talking about downloading your race map into your iPhone and having a compasspoint self-servise checkout. He is talking about have an intergrated computer system which covers all aspects of the sport "event/competition/membership".

e.g. Having a more understandable fixtures list, like that guy who has done the google maps one. Also have a centrally controlled entry system with a standard format. A full results data base which doesn't disapear 6 months after the race. The ablitity to do membership online.

It's been mentioned many times before. In Sweden all race entries are done online through one place. Entries close at the closing date. If you miss it you have to run the open courses, like a colour coded, whichh are entry on the day. They are also of a good standard though so worth doing.

[SeanC]

RJ and frog's posts brilliantly illustrate the problem.

If orienteering were run as a pure private business the board could make a decision and change could happen quickly. But since we are a democratic(ish) organisation (or group of organisations) a consensus has to emerge - and everyone has different opinions.

BOF can come up with a good slogan for development - but converting this into an concrete plan that involves structural changes or spending money, and then gaining support for such a plan when everyone has different priorities..... That must win the award for most difficult job in Britain. I don't know how this fundamental problem can be solved.

[Becks]

This database was being looked at back when I was a councillor 3 or 4 (can't remember now). It is incredible how much these guys charge to produce a system that's as flexible as you need for something like the Swedish system, and they certainly hadn't found anything viable when I was there. I have no idea if it's ongoing though - I still think it's worth it.

[Paul Frost]

RJ
The problem with having a "New" computer system/website is what about the ones that already exist?

Would it be "fair" to put Fabian, oentries, nTrees etc out of business by introducing a single official online entry system?
They invested time and money to provide a service that was not being supplied by a central body.

Do you force clubs to use a central website instead of developing their own local one?

What if the "New" one isn't very good, I am sure we have all seen poorly developed "New" websites. Even spending loads of money doesn't guarantee a good solution.

Your suggestion of a £10,000 loan from clubs is probably a bit short. It would be interesting to know how much the British Orienteering website cost to develop in the first place, and what the budget for ongoing development and support is.

It's not just the building of a good website that makes it a good resource/user experience. They need constant development to keep up with the latest demands/trends/technology. So ideally you need to have someone responsible for, and interested in, the content and the continual development. The problem is then who does it and how much are you prepared to pay them?

[Paul Frost]

... A full results data base which doesn't disapear 6 months after the race...

The problem with this is that there are several results software applications in use.

The output format of each is different so would not fit into a central database format very easily.

In some countries only one event management package and one electronic punching system (SPORTident or Emit) is used. It is very easy then to have central data storage and presentation. We missed out on that by not officially endorsing a single system at the beginning (I'm not saying that was wrong).

[Scott]

Your second point
...
And after all that list you write

Hey, I never said that I agree with it all - I just thought (being young and naive) that it was interesting how many of the issues facing the sport are still the same as they were all that time ago.