Prizegivings

[EddieH]

Well the Scottish Champs prizegivings were worse than I feared.
A really great event with corresponding unbroken sunshine, yet atmosphere almost zero.

People had learned from last year at the individual prizegiving that only the Scottish Champs trophy winner had anything to get, o despite having their names called out only one poor unfortunate non prize winner was embarassed by going up for ... nothing

The relay was even worse. Despite 67% of the entry being in the senior handicap courses, the totally arbitrary first team to finish out of all these classes were the only team called up.

Despite the incredibly late prizegiving there was a mass of people that stayed for it to find that after the juniors and elite it was a damp squib.

What is ths peculiar idea that as soon as you are over 21 nobody cares. Well relays in particular allow those not used to it to have a glory occasion and I know that many were very disappointed.

For example Moravian has barely ever had a relay team in anything before. We had a winning team here and not only did all team members stay behind to support the organisers, but so did a number of totally unrelated clubmates.

At the individual so much time was spent reading out 6 names per age class (that were not wanted to appear anyway) that the actual trophy presentation was cursory to say the least.

One very well known and talented winner told me that he had never won "one of these" before so he was delighted, "but as far as the prizegiving was concerned they might just as well have just said "pick up your trophys on the way out"".

When I started orienteering I loved the big prizegivings because it was there that I was able to very rapidly learn who the biggst names in the sport were - if I had been at this year's Scottish presentation I'd never have bothered to go again. And if this is to be the way they will be in future I won't waste anyone's time by attending even if I win.

[Lard]

"People had learned from last year at the individual prizegiving that only the Scottish Champs trophy winner had anything to get, o despite having their names called out only one poor unfortunate non prize winner was embarassed by going up for ... nothing "

That was me. How can you not have top 3 prizes at a Scottish Champs?
And I agree about the relays - it was redesigned to make the competition more competitive and then someone forgets to alot prizes - derrr!

Don't be tight organisers - award those that perform please (at all age levels).
Prizes don't have to be overly expensive and entry fees needn't be pushed higher.

[rosalind]

I was sure that was me...

[mappingmum]

I'd like to throw a spanner in the works!!

If ever I have such a super run that would merit a place on a podium then my pleasure would be completely satisfied from within. I would not be bothered whether my name was read out and I think I would prefer it if it wasn't. Appearing at an award ceremony would be embarrassing.

Results pages display the results for all to see. Here is your reward, your name at the TOP of the list - well done! Asking the organisers to find, purchase, source prizes is just extra hassle and hassle which any organiser can do without.

I don't do it for the prize, or the public acknowledgement, I just love the [individual] challenge! And I don't think I am the only one.

[awk]

I don't do it for the prize, or the public acknowledgement, I just love the [individual] challenge! And I don't think I am the only one.

I agree about the reasons for doing it (I wouldn't have been orienteering for almost 40 years for any other reason, that's for sure!), but having recently, for the first time in many years, been on the podium as part of a successful team in a race that was important to me, I make no bones in saying it provided huge pleasure, and I was extremely grateful both for the excellent organisation of the prize giving, and the medal and commemorative mug that came with it (thank you to BRC08 organisers and BOF for the medal!). Prize givings don't have to be fancy, but are important, not least for the credibility of the event.

[PG]

Was the reason for minimal prizes event budget constraints?

The value of the prizes is not important; the chance to congratulate each other and have photos taken which can potentially be used in local press reports are more important than the value of the prize. At MDOC's New Year charity event there are three classes: one year the winners of each class received 3 Mars bars, 2nd 2 Mars bars and 3rd 1 Mars bar. Total prize-giving budget about £5!

For the Scottish Champs something small and Scottish would be enough: packets of shortbread if nothing more local available? You don't have to buy prizes until after the final entry closing date, so can see how much funding is available.

[roadrunner]

It's not uncommon at road races for the prizes to be donated by sponsors - and, as PG says, they don't have to be expensive. I tend to think that event sponsorship is somethings that's perhaps overlooked in orienteering (except for the biggest events like the JK and BOC): even small road races manage to get someone on board as a sponsor, although it's certainly harder than it used to be, given the economic climate. Perhaps if we all (and not just the elite) wore numbers at orienteering events, then there would be somewhere for a sponsor's logo, and companies might be more willing to support us? (The sponsors can supply the numbers as well, so it needn't cost anything!)

[mappingmum]

For the Scottish Champs something small and Scottish would be enough: packets of shortbread if nothing more local available?

A can of Irn-bru at the next Scottish?!