Future of Orienteering
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Future of Orienteering
I need your help. I have a meeting with members of BOF in the near future concerning the future of the sport. Being no spring chicken it seems to me that I am not the age group that should be putting ideas forward so I need your thoughts on how things should develop. I'm sure you youngsters will have many ideas and I will put any forward that I can. What about a forum on the BOF site just like the great Nopesport?
- Steler
- white
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2004 1:07 am
Realistically , it really isn't going to work, the reason that this websote works is because of the 'banter' and serious comments. I wuld think that few 'youngsters' (i'm 21) would go on the BOF sitea s it would be plain boring.
Think website is here and it just takes a quick search and read of the strings withing discussion, to see what regular orienteers want.
Good competition
Nice Forest
Accessability of the area
etc....
Think website is here and it just takes a quick search and read of the strings withing discussion, to see what regular orienteers want.
Good competition
Nice Forest
Accessability of the area
etc....
Now, I know you're a feminist, and I think that's adorable, but this is grown-up time and I'm the man.
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Braddie - light green
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- Location: London
I'm sure someone said there was already a forum on BOF for students but I might be wrong. And anyway now that this website is up and running and growing in popularity I would have thought that people would prefer to keep this one.
The future of orienteering is a pretty big issue. There are so many ideas talked about on this website maybe BOF could recognise that and work with nopesport a bit? That could be a good start.
The future of orienteering is a pretty big issue. There are so many ideas talked about on this website maybe BOF could recognise that and work with nopesport a bit? That could be a good start.
it's all fun
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m - nope young team
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- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2003 11:43 am
- Location: edinburgh
Future of orienteering? A huge one that - can you be any more specific?
From where I see it the most important thing is getting more people into the sport, it seems to be dying a death at the mo. We're doing our bit down in Oxford introducing kids to the sport but then down here there's no framework for them to go any further. I know other regions have development officers that have introduced a number of familes to the sport - AIRE back home for example, but the few times I've approached the local clubs down here they've said they'll discuss it at a committee meeting and then I've never heard anything else.
Getting a decent development officer at least per region might be a good start - a good few of Yorkshire's up and coming stars have been recruited through schools and then their families have joined in after a bit.
The other thing I guess is doing something about the image. I can't remember who said on on the thread about the BOF website but this toddle around the countryside idea that they seem to be portraying is only really showing one side of the sport, and the people we're most likely to recruit into the sport such as fell runners, mountaineers etc aren't going to be interested by that. Compass Sport have that fantastic picture of Rach Majumdar jumping down some kind of cliff at the FCC yet it doesn't seem to appear anywhere near the website - if you're looking at recruiting the younger end of the spectrum it's picture like that that are going to get them involved. And let's face it, the young end of the sport needs it.. there's usually only about 30 people running W21L, or the Premier age class even at National Events these days. Surely that's worrying for them?
Sorry, rant over. Can you tell I'm avoiding yet another day of mindless revision?
From where I see it the most important thing is getting more people into the sport, it seems to be dying a death at the mo. We're doing our bit down in Oxford introducing kids to the sport but then down here there's no framework for them to go any further. I know other regions have development officers that have introduced a number of familes to the sport - AIRE back home for example, but the few times I've approached the local clubs down here they've said they'll discuss it at a committee meeting and then I've never heard anything else.
Getting a decent development officer at least per region might be a good start - a good few of Yorkshire's up and coming stars have been recruited through schools and then their families have joined in after a bit.
The other thing I guess is doing something about the image. I can't remember who said on on the thread about the BOF website but this toddle around the countryside idea that they seem to be portraying is only really showing one side of the sport, and the people we're most likely to recruit into the sport such as fell runners, mountaineers etc aren't going to be interested by that. Compass Sport have that fantastic picture of Rach Majumdar jumping down some kind of cliff at the FCC yet it doesn't seem to appear anywhere near the website - if you're looking at recruiting the younger end of the spectrum it's picture like that that are going to get them involved. And let's face it, the young end of the sport needs it.. there's usually only about 30 people running W21L, or the Premier age class even at National Events these days. Surely that's worrying for them?
Sorry, rant over. Can you tell I'm avoiding yet another day of mindless revision?
Will? We've got proper fire now!
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Becks - god
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- Location: East Preston Street Massif
I know at the FRA relays a couple of years ago, they were talking about the navigation leg over the tannoy and saying it was where all the clubs dragged out their 'borienteers'... obviously no image problem with the sport amongst fell runners. I remember reading something in the Fell Runner about someone who'd basically given up orienteering because of all the faff and rules and jobsworth planners/controllers/organisers and so on, so he'd just stick to fell running which tends to be a little less over-organised.
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Ed - diehard
- Posts: 753
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Lots of people at the moment are into extreme sports, especially people in the 20 - 35 age band. Therefore make orienteering seem a bit more extreme. Make posters of people with blood rushing down there face due to a O injury or something etc, rather then some punter runing down the run in. This would make the sport seem more daring.
Insted of having a promo video of joe random and his bird siting on a couch watching tv talking about their mate running round a park. Have some etreme footage, show the elites, a bit of crag jumping something more exiting. And try to show this to the public, spend money and get it on prime time.
Although Compassport has had a few good issues it too needs revamping, its boring. I admire people who contribute but it needs more elite coverage and should cut out the lame stuff. Include more results home and abroad, get some international corsepondance etc, and make it more available to the public, sell it in smiths etc.
Inorder of the sport to have a future we need to get rid of this ponsey image of peole walking round a park with there lunch and walking stick. The sports image has to be changed as people have changed and life needs to seem more exciting.
Finally, definatly do not start another forum. The peel one is almost dead now and the introduction of another would be darft. Nopesport is a success and does not need competition.
Cheers
Insted of having a promo video of joe random and his bird siting on a couch watching tv talking about their mate running round a park. Have some etreme footage, show the elites, a bit of crag jumping something more exiting. And try to show this to the public, spend money and get it on prime time.
Although Compassport has had a few good issues it too needs revamping, its boring. I admire people who contribute but it needs more elite coverage and should cut out the lame stuff. Include more results home and abroad, get some international corsepondance etc, and make it more available to the public, sell it in smiths etc.
Inorder of the sport to have a future we need to get rid of this ponsey image of peole walking round a park with there lunch and walking stick. The sports image has to be changed as people have changed and life needs to seem more exciting.
Finally, definatly do not start another forum. The peel one is almost dead now and the introduction of another would be darft. Nopesport is a success and does not need competition.
Cheers
Faster, Harder, Schnitzel YAAR
- Schnitzy
- off string
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2004 1:19 pm
- Location: The mighty sheffield
I agree on the way that it is presented,
the BOF video was a good idea, but it really did take the piss and make us all look like total park picnikers!!!
at the top the sport is both fast flowing, dramatic, and exciting, this needs to be captured in some way.
there is no way that any o mag is ever going to get on the shelves in a newsagent, that is ridiculous, but word needs to be spread within the outdoor world, at adventure races. out door shows (like the one at the NEC that bof had a stand)
the problem is however the same as usual, all the people that complain about the image, (ie us) want the older folk to do something better, we don't want to have the older people represent us cos that is not what we are. however none of us actually want to do any of this work as it it boring so there is a wee bit of a problem here.
its good that Jen is in the bof ofice now as i am sure she is able to get our message through a bit more.
overall, the sport has a lot to offer to a lot of people. the elite is where you are going to get people interested, in football people see arsenal and man-u and want to play football, they don't look at carlise or cambridge and say i want to be as good as them. they want to look up to Jamie, jon, Yvette, Heather and say i want to do what they are doing, now how do i get there.
its not an easy jobm, and it will not be solved overnight, but we need to try and help at all stages to get across what we are about in this crazy/funny sport.
the BOF video was a good idea, but it really did take the piss and make us all look like total park picnikers!!!
at the top the sport is both fast flowing, dramatic, and exciting, this needs to be captured in some way.
there is no way that any o mag is ever going to get on the shelves in a newsagent, that is ridiculous, but word needs to be spread within the outdoor world, at adventure races. out door shows (like the one at the NEC that bof had a stand)
the problem is however the same as usual, all the people that complain about the image, (ie us) want the older folk to do something better, we don't want to have the older people represent us cos that is not what we are. however none of us actually want to do any of this work as it it boring so there is a wee bit of a problem here.
its good that Jen is in the bof ofice now as i am sure she is able to get our message through a bit more.
overall, the sport has a lot to offer to a lot of people. the elite is where you are going to get people interested, in football people see arsenal and man-u and want to play football, they don't look at carlise or cambridge and say i want to be as good as them. they want to look up to Jamie, jon, Yvette, Heather and say i want to do what they are doing, now how do i get there.
its not an easy jobm, and it will not be solved overnight, but we need to try and help at all stages to get across what we are about in this crazy/funny sport.
'Grab it by the balls'
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the duncan - diehard
- Posts: 949
- Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2003 2:20 pm
- Location: The mighty 'Deen
Where do I start! It was me who pointed out the BOF student forum had two postings and one of those was from SB. BOF should stop sucking up to the sports council and remember that we are who they should be [b]serving.[/b] Becks asked for more pics like that of the splendid Rachel Majumdar - BOF don't want any pictures of juniors, especially not identifyable ones and have actually suggested using models and drawings instead See my previous rant on Picture Police - if BOF have any sense at all they'd be hanging on every word nope has to say (except a few of the four letter ones). Yes the top end of the sport does need singing loud and clear but everyone should be celebrated (don't take the short course trophies away - everyone has a choice - lets have more trophies - best fancy dress, knobbly knees look at the London Marathon - the antics of the lower order only enrich the achievements of the elite - they are never short of numbers - we are all worthy of celebrating whether elite, recreational, helper, official, etc
In an over weight, over protected, all too predictable world this is a great sport - I don't see adventure racing worrying about clubmark accreditation and safety credentials. BOF need to look at the sports unique strengths and stop trying to govern it as tho' it was a football club. We're not doing it because we like obeying rules - we're doing it because we like to make out own rules - I'm exhausted
In an over weight, over protected, all too predictable world this is a great sport - I don't see adventure racing worrying about clubmark accreditation and safety credentials. BOF need to look at the sports unique strengths and stop trying to govern it as tho' it was a football club. We're not doing it because we like obeying rules - we're doing it because we like to make out own rules - I'm exhausted
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Mrs H. - nope godmother
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- Location: Middle England
In my heart I tend to agree - but for most of us emigration is not an option - and it certainly isn't a solution - if that old dog Steler is going to bend someone's ear let's keep to the point - in my opinion orienteering is a unique sport because it offers almost everyone of any age and ability the chance to have an adventure - hell - at the o-ringen 2002 I saw a BLIND orienteer coming in with a braile map for god sake - and to rapturous applause I might add - I hate to think what the health and safety would have made of that in this country! Contrary to what BOF think, orienteering is all about adventure - for all of us - whether we're talking the likes of you elite guys and girls or the likes of me - I would be a very sad old housewife without orieteering - it's better than hormone replacement therapy for me - and any other drugs for you lot - perhaps that's an angle - if you want a shot in the arm - try this
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Mrs H. - nope godmother
- Posts: 2034
- Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:15 pm
- Location: Middle England
Orienteering has been trying to raise its profile for 20 years
mostly going down the nicey, nicey, family route.
why noy try a different tack
orienteering is hard
orienteers are hard
it takes blood (literally) and guts
it's difficult and if you want to be good it is going to hurt.
Top orienteers kick fell runners' arses but orienteering goes for the bumbly image.
Think about it.
"oooh look at those bumbly people trotting round the park, I could do that no bother, what are they like ?"
or
" wow look at those guys ripping through the forest, powering along, torn and bleeding, knowing precisely what they are doing, I wish I could do that, I wonder if I could ?"
What gets people is something that looks like a real challenge, not something that looks like a piece of middle aged piss.
Why do think people watch SAS are you tough enough ?
Orienteering -
come and 'ave a go if you think you're hard enough
mostly going down the nicey, nicey, family route.
why noy try a different tack
orienteering is hard
orienteers are hard
it takes blood (literally) and guts
it's difficult and if you want to be good it is going to hurt.
Top orienteers kick fell runners' arses but orienteering goes for the bumbly image.
Think about it.
"oooh look at those bumbly people trotting round the park, I could do that no bother, what are they like ?"
or
" wow look at those guys ripping through the forest, powering along, torn and bleeding, knowing precisely what they are doing, I wish I could do that, I wonder if I could ?"
What gets people is something that looks like a real challenge, not something that looks like a piece of middle aged piss.
Why do think people watch SAS are you tough enough ?
Orienteering -
come and 'ave a go if you think you're hard enough
If you could run forever ......
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Kitch - god
- Posts: 2433
- Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2004 2:09 pm
- Location: embada
Good to see that there are responses. This is my first atempt at openning a forum. I will study the replies tonight and maybe restrict the discussion.
What do you think about orienteering associating itself with Advrnture racing? A lot of young orienteers are also adventure racers. We have some of the best in the world and its heavily telivised and sponsored.
What do you think about orienteering associating itself with Advrnture racing? A lot of young orienteers are also adventure racers. We have some of the best in the world and its heavily telivised and sponsored.
- Steler
- white
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2004 1:07 am
Steler wrote:What do you think about orienteering associating itself with Advrnture racing? A lot of young orienteers are also adventure racers. We have some of the best in the world and its heavily telivised and sponsored.
Orienteering is "adventure racing" - it's just a little bit shorter than usual AR and only involves one discipline (i.e. running) rather than lots (biking/canoeing/ropework/sliding around in cooking oil). In fact, any adventurer-racer that can't orienteer at all would be pretty useless (or reliant on team-mates). If BOF had been on the ball they could probably have been seen as some kind of governing body for AR in Britain... in which case AR would probably be going nowhere.
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Ed - diehard
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