Orienteering Coaching in Australia
Coaching and High Performance are the responsibilities of the Orienteering Australia High Performance Group (HPG).
The HPG is led by the OA Director, High Performance and Coaching, and includes the Head Coach, the Manager – High Performance Administration, Manager – Coaching Development and the Manager – Coaching and Officiating Administration.
To foster and co-ordinate HP and Coaching across Australian orienteering in accordance with the objectives of the OA Strategic Plan there is an OA select committee consisting of the HPG, plus two representatives from each State (representing High Performance and Coaching) plus one athlete representative from the National High Performance and Development Squads. The select committee operates according to its Terms of Reference.
Coaching Framework
Orienteering Australia has developed a Coaching Framework which aligns with its Strategic Plan. This framework outlines a guide to foot orienteering coaching education, development and support in Australia.
The Document can be found here – OA Coaching Framework V1 Jan 2022
An important part of this framework is coaching accreditation.
Coaching Accreditation Overview
There are four accreditation courses in the Australian coaching pathway. The pathway commences with “Orienteering Instructor”, leading into 3 parallel courses that match coaches with the participants they work with.
The coaching pathway is intended to track athlete development. Learn and Play coaches work with beginners to introduce them to orienteering, then equip them with the skills to optimally enjoy their participation. Competition coaches work with everyday orienteers, those who want to challenge themselves to do their personal best. Performance coaches work with elite athletes, both nationally and internationally, assisting these orienteers to train and compete at the highest levels.
The syllabus documents for OA’s accreditation courses can be found here:
Orienteering Instructor Accreditation V1 Jan 2022
Learn and Play Orienteering Coach Accreditation V1 Jan 2022
Competition Orienteering Coach Accreditation V1 Jan 2022
Performance Orienteering Coach Accreditation V1 Jan 2022
It is essential that all coaches maintain a current Working With Children clearance. Coaches are also encouraged to maintain current first aid and CPR qualifications.
Coaching Accreditation Editable Forms
Editable versions of forms found in the above syllabus documents can be found at this link. This includes forms for assessment marking, recognition of prior learning and authorisation of accreditation.
Coaching Accreditation Delivery Materials
Materials to be used for the delivery of Orienteering Coaching Accreditation programs can be found here. Materials are organised by course and by module.
Accredited Coaches
The list of accredited coaches is available at 2023-05-19 Coaches – current . Orienteers seeking personal coaching are encouraged to contact accredited coaches directly.
For any errors or omissions, please contact the OA Manager, Coaching and Officiating Administration.
Reaccreditation
Accreditation is valid for five years, during which time coaches must acquire a certain number of ‘points’ to qualify for re-accreditation. The ‘points’ table for Coach Re-accreditation is available here – Coach Reaccreditation Points Table
Coaches can use this excel spreadsheet to keep track of their coaching practice and then submit when up for re-accreditation: Coaching diary for reaccreditation
Orienteering Instructors and Learn and Play Orienteering Coaches should submit this to their state/territory coaching coordinator, whilst Competition and Performance Orienteering Coaches should submit this to the OA Manager of Coaching Development.
Coach Development Help and Enquiries
Each State has their own Director or Coordinator of coaching activities. Orienteering Instructor and Learn and Play Orienteering Coach accreditation are managed at the State level. Enquiries should please be directed to State Coaching contacts in the first instance.
ACT: office@act.orienteering.asn.au
New South Wales: jamieken74@gmail.com
Queensland: facrosato@gmail.com
South Australia: coaching@sa.orienteering.asn.au
Tasmania: coaching@tasorienteering.asn.au
Victoria: coaching@vicorienteering.asn.au
Western Australia: robgwest@bigpond.net.au
Orienteering Australia coordinates Competition and Performance Orienteering Coach courses. Enquiries and registrations of interest in these courses may be directed to OA’s Manager, Coaching Development.
State Coaching Directors are welcome to contact OA’s Coach Accreditation Manager (Jim Mackay) for assistance with accreditation enquiries and updates.
The OA Officers (and their contact details) involved in coaching can be found on the OA Officers page.
There is a separate page which will hopefully answer your Sporting Schools enquiries.
Coach’s Code of Ethics
Orienteering Australia endorses the Australian Sports Commission’s Code of Ethics for Coaches. All coaches are required to sign the agreed joint ASC-OA code of ethics before being accredited. The Code of Ethics can be found at Coach Code of Ethics – Orienteering. The Agreement form can be found at Coach Code of Ethics Agreement Form – Orienteering
NOTE: To download the Coach Code of Ethics, or the Agreement form, it may be necessary to right-click the link and select the top option to “Open link in new tab”.