The first ever Top End Middle and Senior Schools Orienteering Championships will be held at the Holmes Jungle Nature Reserve, Berrimah on Wednesday, 20 August 2008.

The event will be hosted by Top End Orienteers.  Schools from Darwin city, the northern suburbs and the greater Palmerston area are expected to attend.  Courses will range in length from 2 km for the 12 years age group up to 5 km for the Boys open event.  There will be separate classes for boys and girls across age groups.  Students can either participate as an individual or as pairs.  The course terrain is fully fenced and includes bushland with good tracks and contour detail.

 It is hoped that this event will enable a team to be formed to represent the Northern Territory at future Australian School Sport Orienteering Championships.   

As a lead in to the championships a number of practice events have been held for participants at the Botanic Gardens, Marlow Lagoon and Charles Darwin National Park.  Over 300 students from seven different middle and senior schools across the region have participated in these events with 130 students from Darwin Middle School, St John’s College and Kormilda College taking part in the recent Darwin Botanic Gardens event.  Other participating schools include Taminmin High School, Palmerston High School, Palmerston Christian School and The Essington School.

The photo shows Kelly Bertei, age 14, of Darwin Middle School, at the Botanic Gardens practice event.

The sport of orienteering is growing in popularity around Darwin and the Top End.  Weekend events regularly attract in excess of 70 participants with many first timers keen to test their navigation and sporting prowess.

For more information, contact Susi Bertei, Top End Orienteers on 8981 5841 orsusibertei@smartchat.net.au