The following message from the OA Director (High Performance) Mike Dowling announces the appointment of a new National Junior Coach or in this case ‘Co-Coaches, for 2006 and 2007. Gareth Candy and Grant Bluett from the ACT have applied to take on the position jointly for the next 2 years. While Grant and Gareth intend to lead the Junior squad/team jointly Gareth will focus particularly on next years JWOC in Lithuania and Grant on the 2007 JWOC in Dubbo, New South Wales. Both coaches bring a wealth of talent to the job – Gareth having been involved in the coaching of the Canberra Cockatoos and just completing his Coaching Science degree at the Uni of Canberra and Grant having spent many years coaching at a Swedish orienteering school including being Coach of the Swedish schools team that competed in the World Schools Championships.

Mike Dowling’s message follows:

“Please be advised that the Board of OA has appointed Grant Bluett and Gareth
Candy as joint coaches for the national junior squad and team for the period
2006-07. In 2006 Gareth will travel with the JWOC team to Lithuania while
both will work with junior athletes here in Australia in the run up to JWOC
in 2007.

It is also the time for our group to express our sincere thanks and
appreciation of the work Paul has done while junior coach, capped off this
year by a great result in Switzerland. The Board will be formally writing to
Paul to express our thanks for the many, many ours of work he has put into
encouraging our juniors to achieve their best and realise their dreams.

Mike Dowling

OA Director (High Performance)