OA Head Coach Decision Postponed

With the 1st two National League events looming next weekend, processes already underway for athletes competing in the first two rounds, and after giving consideration to not causing any disruption to athletes who are now in preparation, OA has decided not to continue with the Head Coach selection process at this time until after this year’s WOC in Norway (12th ~ 17th August). By delaying the decision Orienteering Australia hopes to avoid possible confusion and instability for the season ahead.

Orienteering Australia will re-commence the selection process after the World Champs with the intention of making an announcement at the Oceania Championships in October.

As a result of the postponement the current period of existing Head Coach Jim Russell will be extended until this year’s World Championships have concluded.

Any enquiries on this matter should be addressed to the Orienteering Australia Executive Officer.

Orienteering Australia appoints Director, High Performance

Orienteering Australia is pleased to announce that at its March Board meeting, Stephen Craig was appointed as Director, High Performance.

Steve started orienteering in Sydney in 1982, did orienteering as a school sport at Knox Grammar School in Sydney with the late Mike Isbell as teacher, and joined Big Foot after leaving school.

Steve ran in three WOC teams in the 90’s and then moved to Stockholm representing Tullinge SK and then OK Ravinen, competing in all of the big relays for over a decade. He met his wife, Martina, on the Jukola ferry on the way back to Stockholm in 2002.

While in Sweden Steve obtained his Level 2 coaching accreditation and organised weekly coaching sessions, trips to events, etc for 150+ 7-16 year olds together with Martina and the other coaches in OK Ravinen.

Steve has been back in Australia since 2015 and now lives in Newcastle. He has an Australian Level 2 coaching accreditation and is also the Newcastle club coach. Steve and Martina have two children, Alvin (15) and Rebecca (12), who both orienteer. Steve is a fresh M50 in 2019.

Late nominations for WOC and JWOC

Nominations for WOC and JWOC teams were due by last Friday but we will accept late nominations until midnight on Sunday 24 March Eastern Australia time. Nominations can be made here.

National Selection Panels for 2019

A few new appointments have been made to the senior and junior selection panels for 2019.

The senior panel is:
Ian Prosser (HP Administrator, non-voting chair)
Jim Russell (Head Coach)
Tracy Bluett
Bruce Arthur

The junior panel is:
Ian Prosser (non-voting chair)
Jim Russell
Krystal Neumann (JWOC Manager and Assistant Coach)
Brodie Nankervis (JWOC Coach)
Cathy McComb

Thanks to retiring panel members Shannon Jones and Jo Allison for their service on selection panels. Bruce Arthur has moved from non-voting chair to be an active member of the panel. Thanks Bruce for your role as chair.

2019 Squads

Squads for 2019 have been named, you can find them HERE. Squads will be revised after Easter 2019 in WA

Congratulations to all involved

Orienteering Australia – Head Coach

Orienteering Australia plans to fill the Head Coach position for the 2019-2020 period. This position is responsible for leading the performance programs of Australian orienteering, from World Championships level to grassroots-level coaching.

The current position description is as described here.  However, Orienteering Australia is prepared to negotiate duties, the hours worked and remuneration with the successful applicant, following consideration of the available budget.

The primary selection criterion is the candidate’s vision for the position and their capacity to implement that vision.  It is also essential the successful candidate has:

  • a strong background and high-level knowledge of high-performance orienteering
  • capacity to lead the planning and management of all aspects of the performance program, including both high-performance activities and grassroots coaching infrastructure
  • capacity to manage people within the program, including both paid staff and volunteers.

Formal coaching qualifications would be a significant advantage.

If suitably qualified, the Head Coach will also have the first option for appointment to the position of Australian team coach for the World Orienteering Championships in 2019 and 2020.  It is mandatory that the team coach has Level 2 or higher coaching accreditation or is in the process of completing this accreditation or holds an equivalent overseas qualification.

All applications should be submitted to the Orienteering Australia Executive Officer.

Application deadline is midnight 31st January 2019.

2019 WOC, JWOC and Bushrangers nominations and selection criteria

Selection criteria documents for 2019 WOC, JWOC and Bushrangers teams can be found at:
WOC
JWOC
Bushrangers
 
Nominations are also open for these teams using the online form found here.

Jim Russell will announce the 2019 high performance squads shortly.

MTBO News

  1. 2019 Australia MTBO Team Manager and Team Coach Positions – World Championships, Denmark – July 19th – August 4th.

 

Applications are now being called for these positions.

The coach position is fully funded.   The manager position will only have a subsidy for the 2 weeks of the World Championships in Denmark based on costs.

Applications are due by December 10.

More information;  Kay Haarsma  0403 565 534  or kayhaarsma@hotmail.com

For more details:

2019 MTBO WorldChamps_Team ManagerPosition

2019 MTBO World Championships AusTeamCoachPosition

 

  1. 2019 MTBO NATIONAL SQUADS

Applications are now being called for riders interested in being part of the National Squad.   This is aimed at both junior & elites who are intending to aim for World Championship selection, either in 2019 or in future years.   The advantages are direct communication to be kept updated about national & international events; access to coaching advice; and subsidy for some training activities.

Send the following details:  Name; date of birth; email address; postal address; whether aiming for 2019 (Yes/Maybe/No) to MTBO HP Coordinator – kayhaarsma@hotmail.com

 

  1. 2019 MTBO SELECTION TRIALS & OPEN TRAINING CAMP

The NSW Champs at Newcastle (NSW) on April 6-7th are the official selection events for both junior & elite World Championship teams.  There will be 2 days of training offered immediately beforehand in the same location.  Some accommodation subsidy will be given to national squad riders aiming at world championships in 2019 or beyond.  Veteran riders are also welcome to attend.

Nominations will be sought next year.

2019 JWOC Positions

The Orienteering Australia Board is pleased to announce that Brodie Nankervis and Krystal Neumann have been appointed as Coach, and Manager and Assistant Coach, respectively, for the 2019 Australian Junior World Orienteering Championships Team. This is the same pair that led the 2018 JWOC team and we would like to thank Krystal and Brodie for volunteering again for these important roles.

Junior Bushrangers have taken out the 2nd leg of the ANZ Test Match

The Aussie Junior Bushrangers have taken out the 2nd leg of the ANZ Test Match after the Australian Long Champs was held in South Australia.

Middle.
M20E  Aus 41. NZ 14  (Aus)
W20E  Aus 28. NZ 28 (Draw)

Relay.
M20E  Aus 30. NZ 15  (Aus)
W20E Aus 30. NZ 20 (Aus)

Sprint.
M20E  Aus 37. NZ 18  (Aus)
W20E  Aus 33. NZ 22 (Aus)

Long.
M20E  Aus 27. NZ 28  (NZ)
W20E  Aus 27. NZ 28  (NZ)

The overall score after the 4 Aus Champs events was AUS 253 NZL 173.