SCOA News
The South Central Orienteering Association represents the orienteering clubs in the south of England which mainly cover Hampshire, southern Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, South Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and the Isle of Wight.
The SCOA AGM and a committee meeting were held on-line last Thursday attended by Peter Hart, British Orienteering’s Chief Executive. The key elements were:-
The Return of Orienteering – British Orienteering is hoping to receive guidance any day now which will allow our sport to recommence, albeit under very restricted terms, which is likely to include a limit on those taking part, perhaps between 20-30 competitors, with pre-entry, pre-payment and following social distancing rules. This will apply to training and coaching too. Some summer tours such as Lagganlia have been cancelled, while others may still go ahead if circumstances allow. The Junior Inter Regional Championships were to be hosted by SCOA in September have been cancelled, while the organisers of the Youth Camp in the New Forest during the weekend of the November Classic are still hopeful that the event will go ahead.
Level A Controllers – There are a lack of level A controllers and those with level B accreditation are encouraged to move up a grade.
SCOA Officials – Eric Harper, Chair; Fiona Clough, Secretary and Richard Sharp, Fixtures; continue in post and Jon Stead takes over as Treasurer from Peter Entwistle.
Event Safety – These courses have been delivered face to face prior to lock down, but an online version is currently being trialled and should be available during the next few weeks.
JK2020 Surplus – There has been much discussion as to what good use the surplus from last year’s JK can be put. Given the current pandemic and the potential additional costs which may arise, a decision has been deferred until September. A suggestion has been proposed to subsidise coaching courses, while there remains interest in investing in grass roots development.
The on-line meeting was such a success, that most future meetings will now be conducted on-line, even after lock down, saving member’s time, fuel costs and meeting room hire costs
Ian Moran