M/W20s

[SeanC]

Had a look at the Radio 2 Chris Evans challenge stuff and the previous challenges, judging by what they've done:

- It would need to be something in the South East.
- It would need an elite Orienteer (past or present) to volunteer as coach/mentor... Swimming had Sharon Davies, Skating had Robin Cousins, I don't think Orienteering should serve up some punter like me

I think Kent Night Cup would be a good challenge and a good story. Day Orienteering might be too tame to grab listeners attention.

If any elite Orienteers fancy it please PM me and I will contact Radio 2. I'm sure BOF would help with advice, as would Orienteers with media experience. Worth a try.

[EddieH]

STV came to the British Night Champs by Edinburgh this year. They produced a suprisingly good and well balanced program which went out at a good time surely reaching far more people than radio.

I am sure that it will have got into the consciousness of a few but I doubt much more than that. A few more people know that it is a serious sport. However it did sound a bit extreme and I suspect that in fact is NOT an incentive for the majority to try.

[SeanC]

well, OK. I guess it's hard to get the perfect event. Maybe we could even put on a special event for them in the daytime, just the two of them racing. Might help their filming and timings. And no care home escapees I can ask BOF for advice.

Anyway, any elite standard orienteers you can still PM me.

[NickC]

Radio 2 seems to be looking for just a couple of minutes. Why not either use the Trafalgar Square map again or use a bit of Regent's Park zoo - either would give them the opportunity to make inane comments about each other!

[MIE]

Or even just Regents' Park which does have a Permanent course on the
western part.

[mallory]

Glad that my idea of challenging Chris & Jonny is being taken up. Chris Evans' Breakfast Show has a huge following. Every week when they announce the challenges (announced on Friday's, challenges completed on Weds afternoons) I think 'perhaps this week it will be orienteering' only to hear recently that it is 'angling', 'falconry' and this week 'skateboarding'. Home Counties is important so central London (urban) or perhaps Hampstead Heath would be good ideas.

[graeme]

And ideally, it would start with the words "this was nothing what like I thought orienteering was" (or whatever the "Chris and Jonny" patois is - is radio 2 still aimed at the middle aged?)

[Paul Frost]

Reading back over this thread the thing that stands out is:

We need to get the media to come to an event, but it can't be any event (because they would find that boring, tame, not commercial etc.), we need to find one that isn't typical of the orienteering that 90% of us do.

So we found a suitable event, the media came, and we then got loads of interest from the general public, who then turned up at their local club's next orienteering event and...

Unless we are going to universally change the format of orienteering across the whole country (or world?) to some new, exciting, accessible, media friendly that will appeal to those not currently orienteering what's the point of luring them in with a false image.

I'm not saying I know the answer, but there must be a limit to how much we can change the sport without risking loosing the majority of existing orienteers.

[andypat]

Nicely summarised Paul - a tad cynical - but nicely put!

I think I can reassure you on one or two points though:

1. Orienteering is actually quite exciting. It is an "adventure" sport and taking part in it is really good fun, even though some orienteers themselves are a bit boring. But then again have you ever spent an hour in a golf club of an evening?

2. Orienteering can also look really exciting too. Take the above mentioned British Night coverage in the snow/ I also watched some of the WOC 2010 coverage in (I think) Swedish online and it was riveting even without commentary.

I think we'd benefit from some O focussed media similar to that found in the Scandinavian countries. Maybe thats a new area to explore for some of you techy guys?

[roadrunner]

Will students take up new hobbies at University?
cacatne ursus in silvis?

So perhaps we shouldn't try to get them to orienteer before University, then it will be a "new hobby" when they get there

More seriously, how many Universities have an active orienteering club? (I know several closed over the past years, I don't know if any have been restarted.) Without that, it's certainly going to be hard to get students interested.

[mharky]

Back onto university orienteering clubs are we...

Unless it's on of the big 4, then the local club should take responsibility for revival/longevity of university clubs.

[roadrunner]

I don't think it's an particularly issue of responsibility - surely only a university club would have access to things like a Students Union minibus and the like, and transport to events is likely to be one of the main stumbling blocks for students wanting to orienteer.

[SeanC]

For existing uni clubs, there's lots a local O club could do eg

- where possible ensure local events are in term time and accessible via public transport
- affliliate the uni club to the local O club, then give them access to club mailing lists to request lifts
- open any club evenings and coaching days to local uni orienteers
- offer help with publicity

I could go on... no doubt clubs are doing all this and more right now. A bit more tricky when a uni club doesn't exist, I agree. You need some students to do the reviving before offering support.

[distracted]

surely only a university club would have access to things like a Students Union minibus and the like...

One of the growing problems is that this provision seems to be dwindling at many universities, and/or the age range of the members is such that they have no-one who can be insured to drive. Local club members can make a difference by offering other transport options.

Providing opportunities is key - having activities/events more local and accessible means you're more likely to get people having a try, and a good place for students to start is on their doorstep. So if your local club has a university campus in its area which isn't mapped then try to change this - the majority of universities seem willing to grant access, and the club has probably just gained a decent sprint/park area.

[graeme]

So if your local club has a university campus in its area ... then try to change this.

Isn't that what the government are trying to do