The next 4 weeks or so are going to be hectic. Firstly there is the Christmas 5 Days based at Beechworth in some of Australia’s best terrain. Then many Aussies are off to New Zealand for the Oceania Championships and associated events. Twenty two elites are racing in the World Cup events; a Schools team is taking on their Kiwi counterparts; a large age group Aussie team is squaring off against the New Zealanders in the Challenge; and many others are racing in the Oceania events also. Then some are staying for Sprint the Bay, while other juniors will go to Canberra later in January for a training camp.

But wait, there is more …. Start planning ahead for a super 2 weeks in the Bendigo- Ballarat area over Easter and the following week. Easter is based mostly at Bendigo, with some exciting new areas. Then there is the following array of activities …… so get out that new 2013 and pencil in some dates now.
O Coaching Workshop – Tuesday April 2nd
It is proposed to hold a whole day coaching workshop on orienteering on the Tuesday after Easter based somewhere near Bendigo.

The workshop will largely be aimed at how to coach individual athletes.

The application is especially important for those coaching or aiming to coach elite athletes but will be valuable to coaches working at any level, or for those looking to start.

Topics covered will include how to design appropriate training programs; psychological aspects of orienteering; “on the couch” exercises; how to set specific training exercises; ….
OA is looking to adopt a different development pathway for our sport and individual coaches will be an important part of this. It is really important that athletes have someone that mentors them on a one to one basis. This doesn’t mean that you have to be an O coach, athletics coach, sports psychologist and career counsellor all rolled into one – but you do need to chase up such support if needed.
This workshop will be led by Hanny Allston and will have different presenters.

Expressions of interest to kayhaarsma@hotmail.com

JUNIOR CAMP -Wed 3rd – Sat 6th April.

A post Easter junior camp will be held from Wed morning April 3rd to the afternoon of Sat April 6th based in Creswick. To enrol or seek more information contact: Roch Prendergast – prenderg@tpg.com.au

ULTRA-LONG – Saturday 6 April (Saturday after Easter)

Format: Multi-loop

Organiser: Eureka Orienteering Club

Terrain: Creswick area, detailed mining and gully/spur, fast running

Winning times: M21E 2.5hrs, W21E 2hrs, M20E 2hrs, W20E 1hr45, all other classes have longer than normal winning times (but are not ultralong length)

Major Prize: return flight to Europe in 2013 + entry to European event of choice (e.g. Oringen), total value $2500

Winner of major prize will be decided by a handicapped adjustment of elite class km rates, based on Scandinavian ultralong km rates

Contact details: Jenny Bourne, Geoff Lawford – gjlawford2@bigpond.com