The 2022 SA Schools Orienteering Championships were held on Monday 23rd May in Belair National Park. 21 Schools took part bringing a total of 152 primary and secondary school aged children from across the state. The courses were set by Jenny Casanova covering the former golf course site and southern parts of Belair National Park, allowing the children to test their navigational abilities in an exciting and safe bush location. The weather was kind to the competitors which made the event arena a lively atmosphere with loud cheering from all who were spectating or finished competing. These loud cheers sometimes lead to over excited competitors missing the last control, a reminder that the race is never done until the finish has been punched! Nonetheless the mispunches and DNF's were few, showing that these students have great potential for a future in our sport.

This year the Williams Shield for Primary Schools was claimed by Stirling East Primary School with a 1 point win over Coromandel Valley Primary School, no doubt stirring on a rivalry to be challenged at the Schools Relays and at the 2023 Individual Championships. The Wale Shield for Secondary Schools was this year taken in an upset win by Adelaide Botanic High School, newcomer to the Schools Championships with a convincing 5 point win over 2021 trophy winner Heathfield High School, no doubt encouraging Adelaide Botanic and Heathfield to bolster their attendance in 2023.

The organiser for the day - Tyson Hillyard from Wallaringa Orienteers - wishes to extend his congratulations to all students on fantastic efforts at the championship. Additionally to thank the multitude of volunteers who, without quarrel or incident, brought a high quality and well organised event to the schools this year. Thanks to Aylwin Lim who acted as event controller and ensured all bases were covered in course setting, control sites and event administration on the day. Rachael Upton too deserves a great deal of thanks for acting as event secretary, administering all of the entries and handling the many equiries in the lead up to the event.
Tyson Hillyard, Wallaringa Orienteers and all of our volunteers wish to thank all the schools who took part in this year's Schools Individual Orienteering Championships.

Full results can be see by clicking on this link

Yalanga Orienteers invite you to the first event on a brand new map at Cobbler Creek on Sun 6th June

Entries close on Wed 2nd June

https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/15510

Nigel Dobson has re-mapped the recreation park and surrounding areas to make an exciting new area for both Foot and MTB events. He has prepared two maps, one to ISOM foot orienteering standards, and the other to ISOM MTB standards which will be easy to read. 

Adjoining Golden Grove has a complex network of streets with beautiful creek reserves and a network of dual use trails. Many “no through roads” have connecting pathways so the car traffic is kept to a few main roads. Cobbler Creek has open vegetation that is fun to run and a lot of flowing single tracks to enjoy for MTB.

Remi Afnan and Ethan Penck have set a 60 minute score event to make the most of the terrain.

Peter Mayer has set 3 MTB line courses that include most of the single tracks with many route choices to consider, especially on the longer legs. Controls have been set to minimise disruption while riding the flow trails.

There is a separate category for E-bikes for each course.

Choose the course length to suit your pace and enjoy the new maps. 

Today (24th May 2021) the SA Schools Championships was held at Wadmore Park in Athelstone. There were 202 entries from 21 primary and secondary schools. Winners of the shields were as follows:

Primary Schools - Williams Trophy - 

1) Woodside PS with 37 points
2) Linden Park PS with 32 points 
3) Hawthorndene PS with 21.5 points 

Secondary Schools - Wale trophy-

1) Heathfield HS with 60 points
2) Glenunga International HS with 21 points
3) Marryatville HS with 16 points.

Full results and splits can be found on Eventor

The event was organised by Tintookies Orienteering Club with much assistance from members of other orienteering clubs. The event would not be possible without this support. Thanks to all who assisted in any way. Thanks also to teachers and parents for the work in preparing and supervising the teams.

Part of Course 1..the longest course!!

For all younger juniors who have enjoyed the after school weekday orienteering events, weekend orienteering training activities are now planned from mid-June.

These activities come under the banner of the Southern Darts Training Squad, and are for the younger juniors who are new to orienteering. As they become more experienced they move to the Junior Arrows. For more information about the Darts - see this page:

https://www.sa.orienteering.asn.au/coaching-training/our-teams-and-squads/southern-darts

Training is sumarised in this flyer

The SA Schools Orienteering Championships was held at Belair National Park on Monday 27^th May, on a cool cloudy but fine day.  Approximately 340 students were entered from 16 Primary Schools and 14 Secondary Schools.  Students entered 36 different age classes, with A classes for the more experienced, and B classes for those newer to the sport. Recreational pairs classes were also available to primary school students.

The event was presented by Onkaparinga Hills Orienteering club, with

Course Planners: Adrian and Robin Uppill
Controller: Peter Cutten
Organiser: David Tilbrook

assisted by helpers from OH and all other metropolitan clubs.

The presentations to primary classes were made by Ruhi Afnan representing “Surveying and Mapping SA”, which provided medals for these classes.  Senior class medals were presented by the local state MP Sam Duluk.

The shields were won as follows

John Williams Primary Shield – Woodside PS, with Goodwood and Stirling East PS in 2^nd and 3^rd places

Brian Wale Secondary Shield – Heathfield HS (first time winners of the shield) with Black Friars Priory School, and Marryatville HS in 2^nd and 3^rd places.

Thanks to all who participated, all helpers that made the event possible and National Parks for permission to use the park for the event.

Results are here.

Course for MOpenA and M16A

Students at the Presentation

Following the Australian Three Day event in WA over Easter last month, several South Australians were rewarded for their efforts in various areas of orienteering.

Three juniors were selected in the Australian team for the Junior World Orienteering Chamspionships to be held in Denmark - Joanna George, Dante Afnan and Angus Haines (also selected in 2018).

The above 3 can contribute part of their result to our junior and schools team coach Bridget Anderson. Bridget was awarded the Orienteering Australia award for services to coaching.

The championships were held at “The Paddocks” Para Hills on Monday May 21.  Yalanga Orienteering Club with the assistance of other clubs hosted this year’s event.

234 students from 28 primary and secondary schools competed over 12 courses. The map terrain was generally flat and comprised sports grounds, tracks, mounds, parklands, wetlands and suburbs. Only the harder courses extended into the suburbs.

The weather conditions were overcast but mild. A southerly breeze became slightly gusty late morning. There was no rain. There was ample parking space for cars and buses.  The veranda of the Para Hills West Soccer Club provided shelter for Registration and the Finish computers. The event went smoothly apart from a marquee upturned by a wind gust.

Competitors used Pcards. This year teachers on registering were handed a pack containing Pcards for distributing to students. Previously these were handed to students at the start. This seemed to work well saving time and labour at the start.

 The courses were suitably challenging particularly for students who were not regular orienteers. The seven volunteers (“Pink Hats”) out on the courses assisted dis-orientated competitors. The majority of competitors completed their courses and good times were also achieved.

Congratulations to the following place getters.

Congratulations to the schools that were the place getters for the two shields. Woodside and Goodwood Primary schools jointly won the Primary Schools Williams Shield.  East Adelaide PS came 2^nd  and Stirling East PS came 3^rd.

The Brian Wales shield was won by Pembroke School. Trinity College was 2^nd  and Heathfield HS 3^rd.

For full results click here

Article by Doug Fotheringham Event Organiser Yalanga Orienteers

Over the next few months, a range of training and coaching opportunities are run by Orienteering SA. Some of these have a junior focus, others are for all ages.

For details of the immediately upcoming events, and our competitive events, see the event list at the right of this page. For a more extended program – go to Eventor.

Our competitive event program takes advantage of the June long weekend with 3 events near Wilpena Pound.

Saturday 9^th June PM – Rawnsley Park– event to get you warmed up

Sunday 10^th June AM – Manawarra OY event– with long distance courses

Monday 11^th June AM – Manawarra Middle Distance event

Pre-entry for the above events is preferred – not all courses may be available for enter on the day.