NEW NZOF COUNCILLOR

The NZOF Council welcomes Ingrid Perols (Hamilton) as the new Central Districts representative.  Ingrid replaces Rob Newbrook and the NZOF thanks Rob for his term on the Council.

JWOC 2003: FINAL TEAM

Congratulations to the following selected for the Junior World Championships to be held in Estonia during July:  Claire Paterson (RK), Bryn Davies (RK), Todd Oates (HB) and Tim Renton (A). Ross Morrison (HB) was also selected but unfortunately has had to withdraw.

PRIME MINISTER’S COACH SCHOLARSHIP

Congratulations to Wayne Aspin, who has been awarded a 2003 Prime Minister’s Coach Scholarship through the New Zealand Academy of Sport.  Wayne will accompany the NZ team at the inaugural Australia-NZ Elite Test Series to be held near Adelaide, 24/25 May, and also attend the ACT Academy of Sport.

DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

The NZOF Council has approved a grant of $400 to the Nelson Orienteering Club, under its SILVA development programme for new forms of orienteering.  The grant will assist the Nelson club with the introduction of mountain bike orienteering and rogaining.

NZ MTBO CHAMPIONSHIPS – CAN YOU HELP?

Following the inaugural championships in 2000, the NZOF had hoped that these championships would be held annually and in each of the four areas in rotation.  While 2003 is therefore the turn of the Central Districts Area, because MTBO is not advanced enough in the CD clubs, the likelihood is the championships will have to go elsewhere.  If you or your club is interested please contact Andy Clayton, ph: (03) 315 7383 or email: outdoors@clear.net.nz as soon as possible.

BIG BROTHER HAS BEEN WATCHING YOU

Well maybe not Big Brother, but NZOF Statistician Bryan Teahan has.

A Results Database is nearly complete.  With data entry assistance from Janet Downs, some 350 events have already been entered with another 50 events still to go.  What can it tell you?
·        Your personal results for any of the major events included
·        Elite New Zealand results
·        Awards list, including life members
·        Ranking List
·        List of organizers, course details and distances
·        Fastest Kilometre lists
·        Badge statistics
·        Other interesting lists including a ‘Hall of Fame’, multiple NZ champs winners, multiple major events winners, Orienteers who have attended over 100 events
·        New Zealand results at WOC

You can peruse the database on http://www.mtlees.co.nz/nzof/ and/or buy a CD copy.
Bryan is also trying to find missing results for several events (mainly before 1978).  If you can help please contact him.

SUPERSERIES

Last year, Mapsport Services (represented by Michael wood) was contracted by the NZOF to further develop and improve the SuperSeries competition for our elites and others.  A nine-race programme for 2003 is now in place and is designed to also serve as a build-up for the World Championships in Switzerland in early August.  The series, including five races at the Easter-Anzac Carnival, begins with the Canterbury Champs at Craigmore on 5 April and concludes with the Winter Classic at Wairarapa on 1 June.  The series for 2003 will be managed by Mapsport Services.

EXCITING NEW VACANCY

Applications are invited for the new position of NZOF Development Officer.  The position is a one-year contract and is remunerated.

The role of the Development Officer is to assist affiliated clubs to develop strategies to increase participation in orienteering and strengthen club membership, as well as actively managing the implementation of strategies developed.  The position requires an experienced orienteer with sufficient time to devote to the role, and will require travel within New Zealand, including staying in regions for a period of one to three weeks.

An understanding of orienteering development and administration is essential.  As the role requires significant contact with orienteering clubs, schools and other organisations associated with sport development, excellent communication skills are required as well as an ability to develop strong relationships.  An ability to comprehend, evaluate and analyse information is also essential.  Applications close 15 April.  A full job description is available from the NZOF General Manager.

OTHER VACANCIES

The following also remain vacant for 2003 (Job descriptions available from the General Manager):

·        Coaching Director.  A contract appointment, remunerated for approximately one-day a week, for which the primary role is to identify the needs and priorities of orienteering coaching within New Zealand.  A dedicated “coaching” email address is provided.

·        Primary School Coordinator.  The main role of this position is to foster and promote the Kiwisport orienteering programme in primary and intermediate schools. The emphasis is on establishing and maintaining a network of people who will train teachers to implement the programme.

·        Technical Committee.  One position, in lieu of David Nevin.  Communication is by email and applicant is required to be nominated by a club.

NZOF MEMBERSHIP

For the fourth year in succession, NZOF membership increased, reaching 1613 as at December 2002.  The increase, up from 1597 the year before, occurred in spite of the ending of social membership.

AGM 2003

The NZOF Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 18 April at 4pm at Helensville Primary School, Rata Street, Helensville (Auckland).  The AGM will be preceded by a Council meeting, beginning 9am at the same venue.