The North West Orienteering Association

Junior Orienteering in the North West

The North West Junior Squad exists to support Junior Orienteering in the North West Region.

Membership is by invitation to any promising and committed young people, aged from 12 to 18, who are members of a NWOA club.

The Squad have just been crowned Inter-Regional Champions for 2008. Pictures can be found below.

The Squad will be visiting Fredrikstad in Norway in August 2008 - details below.

What does the Squad do?

Training sessions (single days and full weekends) are held generally once per month. These provide members with an opportunity to mix with other orienteers their own age and develop their orienteering skills. The training is designed to improve everyone to the highest possible standard and prepare them for international competition with the GB Squad in the future.

The group is split into smaller groups to allow coaches to focus on an individuals strengths and weaknesses - typically a 6:1 ratio of squaddies to coaches. Training includes fitness work, technical skills and race practice.

In the evenings there is time for games and social activities and everybody helps prepare the meal. Activities are also organised to develop map skills or analyse routes from recent events.

How do I join?

The Squad is always keen for new members so if you meet the standard please contact Sue Roome.

Everyone begins as an asscociate member and becomes a full member once they reach the required standard (typically Gold at their class and 2nd year 14 or above). This gets you a squad o-top.