Right I appear to have got a bit confused between the many BOF strata of coaches, managers, soigneurs etc, so would like to apologise to Mharky if I managed to implicate him in any way.
I know that GB athletes work incredibly hard to reach the level they are at, and that it is BOF's job to look after and nurture these athletes. University orienteering clubs are in a tricky spot of providing for the elites - which BOF helps with - but also encouraging newcomers to the sport. I think we normally manage quite well.
I don't know if you've noticed this, but O is an ageing sport, and it's quite hard to get people interested in, especially in late teens/early 20s. I wasn't entirely sure how many newcomers might be put off by people going off elsewhere for a night, but speaking to some tonight they would feel a bit 2nd class.
There is also the fact that talented athletes exist outside of the BOF system. Can you imagine if BOF decided that, at the JK/BOC, for example, a certain select bunch would be put up and everything sorted for them? Meanwhile other talented orienteers outside of the squad system have to deal with their own accommodation, organisation, time constraints, travel etc.? Organisation of training camps, athlete development, coaching help and planning, - all necessary - but helping at a stand-alone event strikes me as odd and unfair.
Basically I'm an old bugger (in student terms) who enjoys the competitive yet fun atmosphere of BUCS, partly as it got me into the sport. I am slightly worried that this could be undermined, but maybe I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill and move with the times.
I'm not moaning at people who will take up the offer of a bed, more the harm to the student orienteering body that could occur. I'm looking forward to my night on the tiles (we're sleeping on the floor, you see) on Saturday - I'll have a couple of beers but not too many as I'm not wanting to impact upon my performance at the National XC the following weekend.
Uni Orienteering: Elitist or Exclusive?
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Re: Uni Orienteering: Elitist or Exclusive?
Where would the money come from to fund this? There isn't much money for Elite sport with many trips being self-funded or partially funded.
Are you sure someone wasn't winding you up Baa-Baa?
As for the principle itself I have two contrary opinions:
1. One of the strengths of GB is (or at least was before SHUOC and EUOC seemed to scoop virtually all the top Juniors) its University Orienteering. I've seen the system in CH (who obviously get a lot right) and I'm convinced it is something we have which is better. In my experience most CH students (not just orienteers) head home at weekends (with their expensive "GA" rail/buscard) and so there isn't so much in the way of Uni sports. Of course this maintains very strong club teams who don't lose all their 18-21 year olds [or indeed 20-24 year olds as the CH need to do their military service]. Now the most prestigious event in the BUCS (or BUSF in my day) w/e is the Boat Race so leading teams for this need to take their tapering seriously and getting put up elsewhere in, say, a Travel-Lodge, would seriously dent their physical and mental preparation.
2. If our Elites want to be true Elite sportsmen and women then IMO they have to follow the lead of other Elites by restricting serious drinking, especially before competitions. They should be leaving no stones unturned in ensuring every aspect of their preparation is as good as it can be.
Cheers
JK
Are you sure someone wasn't winding you up Baa-Baa?
As for the principle itself I have two contrary opinions:
1. One of the strengths of GB is (or at least was before SHUOC and EUOC seemed to scoop virtually all the top Juniors) its University Orienteering. I've seen the system in CH (who obviously get a lot right) and I'm convinced it is something we have which is better. In my experience most CH students (not just orienteers) head home at weekends (with their expensive "GA" rail/buscard) and so there isn't so much in the way of Uni sports. Of course this maintains very strong club teams who don't lose all their 18-21 year olds [or indeed 20-24 year olds as the CH need to do their military service]. Now the most prestigious event in the BUCS (or BUSF in my day) w/e is the Boat Race so leading teams for this need to take their tapering seriously and getting put up elsewhere in, say, a Travel-Lodge, would seriously dent their physical and mental preparation.
2. If our Elites want to be true Elite sportsmen and women then IMO they have to follow the lead of other Elites by restricting serious drinking, especially before competitions. They should be leaving no stones unturned in ensuring every aspect of their preparation is as good as it can be.
Cheers
JK
JK
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Re: Uni Orienteering: Elitist or Exclusive?
How do you get in to this BOF Hotel? If it saves me paying for one myself, I'm keen 

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