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Junior Regional
Orienteering
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Junior Regional
Orienteering Squads

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Generic information about Gothenburg

Introduction and background

The ‘Gothenburg’ tour is unique in that its purpose is to teach those about to leave the ranks of junior orienteers, ie M/W20’s, how to plan and undertake their own training within a Scandinavian environment.

Such a tour was conceived specifically as a ‘self-help’ tour led by a Senior Coach experienced in training in Scandinavian terrain and familiar with a specific location or orienteering club.

This style of tour was initially suggested and led by Mark Saunders in 2012.
Because of his knowledge and experience of orienteering in the Gothenburg area the camp that year was based in that city.

The location of future camps will therefore be decided by the Coach who is leading the tour, their experience and contacts.

Accommodation

Accommodation is dependent upon the location but is likely to be in an Orienteering Club hut.
It is therefore likely that sleeping will be on a floor but that showers and toilets will be close by.
All food will be bought and prepared by the attendees and therefore athletes will be expected to assist with chores during the camp.

It is anticipated that every effort will be made to make use of public transport throughout the course of the camp.

Attendees

The camp is aimed at M/W20’s, and if room permits some M/W18’s.
It is likely that the camp will take place in August and recognising that the athletes may wish to return home at various times, for example for ‘A’ level results, attendance at the camp will be flexible allowing athletes to join and leave the camp at various times other than the planned start and finish.

Team Manager's Report

Managed by Mark Saunders. The camp was mainly based in Gothenburg, but on the second weekend we spent one night in Boras.

Attended by

Pippa Daikin

Emma Wilson

Katerina Skarkova

Lucy Haines

Cecilia Andersen

Noah Howlett

Finn Lydon

Tim Harrison

Lachlan Chavasse

Matthew Pickering

Sam Fielding

Selections

Even though the selection policy stated that we would not expect to take athletes who were also going to the Pre-JWOC camp in August, there were two who applied to come along. I explained the background and rationale to them but as we still had places left the final decision to them and their coaches. One decided not come along – and speaking to him subsequently I think he felt made the right decision. The other – Lucy - joined the camp part way through, and just took part in the training – no races. Again for her, I think that was a reasonable decision. She certainly contributed to the camp, and there was no obvious tiredness dragging down the energy levels of any of the others.

Two athletes who were originally selected – Tom Lines and James Ackland - both had to drop out due to injury late in the day. This meant that I had still had spaces and was able at the last minute to invite an inexperienced, but very enthusiastic and fast improving student from the University of Bristol – Matthew Pickering to join the camp.

Travel

All athletes made their own arrangements to get to Sweden. In Sweden I had a hire car, and travel was a mix of buses, supplemented by the car – for example to provide a shuttle between nearest bus stop and training or competition centre. The car also helped with shopping expeditions to cater for all of us. Paying for buses is a bit complicated with no season ticket available which suits our needs – it is either a 3 day tourist card or month plus season ticket. Instead we used the charge cards recycled from 2016, topped up as necessary – like Oyster cards. Again rather than reclaim the deposit, we have kept the cards ready for next year. For the journey’s to the races we were aso to be able to sort out lifts with some local orienteers.

Accommodation

For most of the time we again stayed in the Savedalens AIK club hut on the outskirts of Gothenburg, this was ideal for our needs. There is plenty of forest right on the door step plus a nice lake for swimming etc. The club were again very friendly and didn’t seem put out by the mess all of us “camping” in their hut inevitably made – “it is normal….”. We joined them on one of the evening training races and meal afterwards.

For the second weekend we took part in a two day event in Boras about 90 mins drive form Gothenburg. In order to avoid having to travel backs we stayed in the club hut of IFK Hestra - one of the clubs hosting the events.

Catering

This was done by the athletes themselves which worked well without any dramas. In general the food was very good, tho’ perhaps a bit more expensive than in the past. The worsening exchange rate has not helped.

Training

There is plenty of fantastic training in the forests around Savedalens club hut – 3 we were able to run to/from the actual hut. Others were just a short bus trip away. This year we were also able to train in the area used for 2017 Tio Mila – a new area for me, really excellent and only about 20mins away. I look forward to running there again.

Pippa Daikin had planned and printed a couple of days worth of training before we arrived, and other training was planned by the athletes in the evenings. The athletes took it in turns to hang controls which helped keep things purposeful. This year the athletes opted not to run the JWOC middle race courses from 2008 in the centre of Gothenburg – opting instead for a second visit to the Tio Mila area. On two of the nights some of the athletes chose to do some night training on one of the areas adjacent to the hut.

Matthew Pickering put on an informal trail O in the immediate vicinity of the club hut which was well received.

Competition

On the first weekend most of us took part in the Gothenburg O meeting – Middle race on Friday night, Sprint on Saturday, and Long on Sunday. It was not ideal to go straight into race mode. But that was the way the timing worked out - and it certainly helped give people some ideas on the things they needed to work on.

The second weekend we took part in a couple of middle races, near Boras on one of the 2015 O Ringen areas. By then most of the athletes were much more attuned to the Swedish terrain, and we had some prize winners from our group.

Illness/injury

Nothing major this year. One nasty cut, which had to dressed and redressed, but didn’t seem to hamper training.

Feedback

We received some nice notes of thanks about what “great tour“ it was. From my point of view it was an enjoyable tour to manage. There was a relaxed but purposeful atmosphere to the whole camp which made it a good experience for everyone.

Next year

I am available again to manage the tour as is Alice – likely dates – 19th – 27th August.

Mark Saunders Nov 2017

Selection Policy

Date

The camp will run from 19th August to 28th August 2017

Eligibility

The Camp is predominantly for M/W20’s born in 1998 and top M/W18’s born in 1999. 

Numbers

The camp will be for of the order of 18 athletes the final number being determined by the Team Manager and the Chairman of JROS.

Athletes who have previously attended the Gothenburg camp are eligible to attend again on the proviso that they will be expected to significantly help with the planning of the training and logistics prior to the camp.
If  British Orienteering hold a pre-JWOC camp in August it is not expected that any athletes who are selected for that  will also be selected to attend this camp.

Application for selection for this tour must in the first instance be made to the Team Manager, Mark Saunders, at

Criteria

Athletes wishing to be selected will be ordered based on the average of the best three ranking scores  that they achieved under the British Orienteering ranking scheme at the following races;

British Night Champs 2017 (25th February)
Northern Championships 2017 (26th February)
Midland Championships 2017 (26th March)
JK Day 2 2017 (15th April)
JK Day 3 2017 (16th April)
British Long Distance Champs 2017 (6th May)
Scottish Championships 2017 (20th May)

The tour selector

The tour athletes will be selected by Mark Saunders (BOK) and the selections will be reviewed by the Chairman of Junior Regional Orienteering Squads (JROS).

Illness or Injury

Cases of illness or injury which may have affected an athlete’s ability to compete in one of the above selection races may be taken account of. Views of the relevant Regional Squad Coordinator will be sought in such cases.