Author: craigf

At the Orienteering Australia AGM held during Easter several states put forward motions relating to progressing the development of Eventor. An update on the progress of the items discussed at the AGM is described below.

One of the suggestions put forward was that the newly established Eventor Working Group (EWG) be comprised of a representative from each state to ensure broad representation. This idea was originally considered when developing the new governance structure however, as suggested by Andrew Lumsden (NSW), it was decided that a smaller group would be more effective and efficient in developing documentation. Under the agreed governance structure all specifications will be circulated via the Eventor Discussion Group (EDG) for discussion and input. Each state currently have multiple representatives in the EDG and anyone else interested in providing input can join.

With respect to the EWG, two additional people have nominated and been accepted onto the EWG. The EWG is now comprised of 4 individuals including Rob Edmonds (Victoria), Jack Dowling (WA), Ian Rathbone (Tas) and John Cooper (QLD). The OA Director Media & Communications (Craig Feuerherdt) will be providing assistance in the initial instance to ensure the members are across everything that has happened to date.

OSA put forward a (amended) motion that “The board of OA develop a plan to resource the upgrade of the Eventor System to suitable standards including but not limited to a more user friendly membership module and the ability to produce statistical data to meet our reporting obligations.” These items will be among the top priorities for the EWG.

In addition, ONSW put forward two motions. Firstly that the EWG circulate the priorities among the states by 31 May. The current list of priorities is available for viewing at https://www.dropbox.com/s/3rk4hspigu438ex/Bugs.xlsx (this link has also been publicised on the EDG). This list has been compiled from a range of sources. The EWG will be working on the development of specification documents for the high priority items (5) of which there are currently 15 items, many of which encompass multiple issues.

The second motion was that specifications be submitted to the Swedish Orienteering Federation (SOF) for quoting by 30 June. Given there will be multiple specification documents, it is important that the EWG consider the most appropriate way of putting the documentation together to ensure everything fits together. Taking some extra time now will ensure the best outcome for OA and its affiliates both financially and functionally. The EWG will circulate draft specification documents via the EDG for comment prior to submitting them to the OA Board (via the Director Media & Communications) for approval and subsequently forwarding them to SOF for quoting.

If you want to participate and contribute to improving Eventor please join the Eventor Discussion Group.

Did you know that the early bird discounted entry finishes at midnight next Sunday May 31 for the Oceania Orienteering Championships to be held in Tasmania next January?

Did you know that like all major Australian orienteering carnivals there are courses and categories for everyone to take part in too regardless of age or experience?

Well don’t delay, enter you and your family now for a super orienteering based holiday. Talk to your friends and get them to enter too. Meet heaps of people from all over Australia and overseas and make new friends that will last a lifetime. What better way to spend early January in the north and east of Tassie.

Here’s How To Go About Entering

Check out the program for the carnival at http://oceania2015.com/program/

Check out all the info on the entry page at http://oceania2015.com/entry/.

Make sure you read the Entry Process Information for Oceania document on the page first before entering.

Go to the Eventor Australia entry system page to enter. Make sure you register first too before starting the entry process if you haven’t already done so.

As an added bonus by entering for Oceania by the early bird entry deadline of May 31st to take advantage of discounted entry fees you will also go in the draw to have $100 refunded from your Oceania entry. If you have already entered you are automatically in the draw.

And at the carnival website oceania2015.com there is lots of other info all about the Oceania events and also The Hobart Shorts which is being held in and around Hobart the week after the Oceania Championships Carnival.

Also, don’t forget to like us on Facebook too. Just search for Oceania2015OrienteringChampionships.

Less than 14 days left to get an early bird entry to Oceania Championships. Check out all the info on the entry page at http://oceania2015.com/entry/.

Make sure you read the entry process information first before entering on the page.

And after Oceania stay on for The Hobart Shorts in Hobart, Tasmania’s capital city. 6 events in and around Hobart with plenty of time to check out the sights of Hobart between races.

Go to The Hobart Shorts page for all the latest information at
http://oceania2015.com/the-hobart-shorts/

Early bird entry rates for 2014ausochamps only last until 30 June so enter now for the best value. See http://www.wa.orienteering.asn.au/karrak-karnival

The organisers of the 2014 Australian Championships at the Karrak Karnival in Western Australia are also pleased to announce that all the events will have the O-Lynx runners’ live progress and results display system together with live streaming of commentary and results to the internet for your smart phone, subject to providers’ cover.
This has become possible thanks to a bequest to OA in the will of Moira Whiteside, a former Garingal Orienteer (NSW).
We have also recently found better camping and modest accommodation closer than any other to mid week and second weekend events. Read about Muresk Institute via the Latest Karnival News panel on the web site.

From Ken Brownlie, OWA.

Grants available for innovative ideas to increase participation in grassroots and community based sport

Today, the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) launched its Grants 4 Grassroots (G4G) Fund, a newly established small grants program funding innovative initiatives and programs aimed at increasing participation in grassroots and community based sport.

Applications are now open and we hope that you will help us spread the word!

G4G was set up to support non-profit organisations with a sporting purpose and sporting clubs throughout Australia. Grants ranging from $2,500-$10,000 will be made to support a variety of participation based projects such as the purchase of sporting equipment, sport development initiatives or improvements to sporting facilities. Funds raised for G4G come from generous donors who wish to see more people playing sport and benefiting from the enjoyment and positive social impacts that sport can have on people and their communities.

Each year, the grant round will focus on a particular idea or theme and for 2014 the core objective is:

”Innovative community or grassroots projects which will increase youth participation in sport.”

*Innovation is defined as making changes to encourage participation in your sport by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.

If you know of a sporting organisation (or are part of a sporting organisation) that is an incorporated non-profit body with revenues of less than $500,000, with a project that fits the criteria, then we’d love to hear from you. To find out more and apply, visit www.asf.org.au

Applications will close at 5pm on Friday 16 May.

We look forward to your ongoing support of the ASF and G4G.

Rod Philpot

General Manager
Australian Sports Foundation
Tel: 02 6214 7868
Fax: 02 6214 7865

rod.philpot@ausport.gov.au

asf.org.au