2008 Archive

Australia will field a team mixed with great experience and youthful enthusiasm next month for the Bushrangers/Pinestars test match. The Waitangi Carnival has grown to 9 events and is organised by a small group of NZ’s elites and local clubs.

The Australia Bushrangers team is-
Jo Allison
Anna Sheldon
Jasmine Neve
Mace Neve
Rachel Effeney
Bridget Anderson

David Shepherd
Simon Uppill
Kerrin Rattray
Matt Parton
Bryan Keely
Oliver Mitchell

Five athletes in the team will make their debut for the Bushrangers. Matt Parton has shown great improvement and had a fantastic Oceania carnival in Canberra last October. Bryan (VIC) and Oliver (QLD) have been training hard for JWOC 2008 in Sweden. Rachel and Bridget raced JWOC 2007 in Dubbo, and if you haven’t seen their television appearance on scope TV check it out here.

David Shepherd will continue the coaching duties that he successfully took over during the 2007 Oceania Carnival.

The NZ pinestars team consists of:
Lizzie Ingham
Greta Knarston
Lise Moen
Lara Prince
Kate Rea
Rachel Smith

Darren Ashmore
James Bradshaw
Karl Dravitzki
Chris Forne
Neil Kerrison
Ross Morrison
Jamie Stewart

Orienteering Australia would like to wish the team the best of luck.

The National Junior Squad training camp took place last week in NSW. The 26 strong group also included some members of the newly formed Junior Development Squad, for talented 15-17year olds. The camp started on January 1^st with a bit of R&R at the beach near Nelson Bay, since most kids had already competed in the Christmas 5-days race in Newcastle. Wednesday started with a 3000m time trial on the athletics track, and some afternoon agility and beep tests. Thursday saw some tough technical training at the famous North Stockton Sand dunes and an afternoon of putt putt golf and sand boarding on the nearby dunes.

The camp then moved to Belanglo forest for some more intensive technical training and advice from some of Australia’s top elites. Sprint, relay, middle and long distance practice races left the juniors very tired by Sunday afternoon. Each night there were talks on orienteering technique, training methods and sports psychology. Julian Dent, Rob Walter, Dave Shepherd, Jo Allison and Kerrin Rattray attended some of the camp and provided invaluable information about Orienteering in Sweden, in particular Gothenburg where JWOC 2008 will be held.

Thank you also to National Junior Coach Nick Dent, and Manager Hilary Wood for organising the camp, and to Roch Prendergast for his assistance.

Due to the difficulties a number of teams have encountered in arranging return flights after the  NOL long distance race and WOC trial at St Helens on May 18, the first start time for all NOL races will now be 9:00am, rather than 11:00am.