Orienteering Australia are pleased to announce the appointment of Piotr Czajkowski (VIC) as coach and Murray Withers (QLD) as manager of the 2014 Australian MTBO junior and elite teams to the World Championships.  These will be held atBiałystok (Poland) from August 24-31st.

Piotr is a former elite Polish international foot orienteer who has a great knowledge of polish orienteering and culture as well as the competition area. He has competed in mtb orienteering and adventure races in the past.

Murray is primarily a mtb orienteer.  He has spectated at several World Championships and competed in the recent Aus v NZ mtbo carnival in New Zealand.

Selection trials and criteria

Team selection in 2014 will be based on the following criteria :

(i) Primary (ie most important) criteria

Results in the selection trials 10-11th May 2014 near Stanthorpe in QLD.

(ii) Secondary criteria, in order of importance:

1. Past international performance, particularly at WMTBOC or JWMTBOC

2. Recent performance at major Australian events within the last 12 months  3. Previous Australian performance;

(iii) Ability to relate well within a team atmosphere.

Full details of the selection criteria can be accessed at  2014 MTBO Selection Criteria.pdf

Nominations need to be received by Craig Steffens (chair of selectors) csteffen@bigpond.com.au and copied to Kay Haarsma, Manager, High Performance kayhaarsma@hotmail.com by March 28th, but preferably as soon as possible.

Please fill out the following web form to nominate.

All enquiries re selection to Craig Steffens.

“Now you know, that it’s better to have a helmet on when you’re riding through the wood.. You never know, what/whom you may meet. ”  Photo is from one of the embargoed areas in Poland -from event website.