The Heart of a Club

It’s ‘all systems go’ with planning and organising Club events for 2018.  Those of you who are active on Facebook will have noticed a flurry of posts announcing the return of the rogaine series, new mid-week sprint opportunities, Katoa Po and a club overnight camp at Lake Kereta.  More info about all of these events is included in this newsletter.

Planning is also underway for our regular Club Forest events, JAFA 2018 and training in both orienteering skills and special functions such as sport ident and course controlling.  There’s a lot of behind the scenes activity!  

Our Exec members take the lead with most aspects of the Club programme.  We then rely on our members to volunteer and contribute to ensure the success of all events. Without volunteers, we couldn’t do what we do.  

I‘m keen to develop further the volunteer culture within our North West Club.  Sometimes described as the Heart of a Club, volunteers play a significant contribution in all sports.  Volunteering is one of the most important things you can do as a member of North West and it’s a great way to join in, gain experience, new friends and have more fun.

We’re exploring ways for members to volunteer - using Google Forms is one idea.  We’d like this to happen as a matter of course rather than for us to always ask for volunteers.  There are endless ways everyone can get involved and help, both at events and from home.  We’re drawing up a list of ways to help and we’ll send it out soon.  Meanwhile I’d love to hear from you if you’re keen to offer your time.  Please contact me on presidentnorthwestorienteering@gmail.com    

Looking forward to seeing you all soon

Best wishes
Jenny
NWOC President 

In this issue:

1. Upcoming Events
2. Katoa Po
3. North Shore Sprint Series
4. NWOC Lake Kereta Expedition
5. New Schools Forest Series - Seeking Coaches
6. Controller’s Clinic
7. SI/O Lynx Training
8. Club Member Profile
9. Rogaine Series
10. Nationals
11. NWOC Membership Renewal Reminder
12. Seeking a Club Treasurer
13. NISS Dates
14. MTBO
15. Other Notable Achievements

Upcoming Events

22 February - 22 March: North Shore Sprint Series (further details in later section)

• 22 February Albany Junior High School, 1 March Westlake Boys High School, 8 March Pinehurst School, 15 March Long Bay College, 22 March Kristin School

10 March: Katoa Po (further details in later section)

18 March: AOS 1 Plantation Road, Maramarua

25 March: AOS 2 Lake Kereta

30 March-2 April: National Champs

6 May AOS 3: Temu Road, Woodhill

5 April, 13 May, 17 June: Rogaine Series

Katoa Po 10-11 March

This night relay is a fun event where everyone finishes, even if you don’t!  (If you mis punch or are a dnf, you get awarded the slowest time plus 15 min).
Everyone runs to their grades, into the night, with the youngest grades (who can have a parent shadowing them) starting at twilight.  
There’s also a serious side where we need to retain the trophy for the 7-person team.  Capturing the 5-person team award would also be tremendous.

Here’s a few facts for the night.

Map:

15 minutes drive from Taupo, the event is on the Kaiapo Faultline map, last used for the 2017 NISS long Championships. Yep, it almost snowed that event, it was soooo cold!  It is a farm map with rolling to steep hills that are incised with complex, intricate gullies and other negative terrain features. There is a forest section with a smattering of slow undergrowth patches.

When: 

March 10^th Saturday evening

5:30pm Registration/Campsite opens 
6:30pm Return Team lists with names in running order 
7:00pm Briefing for all competitors 
Dusk     Relay Starts 

Eligibility & Winning Times:

·         Leg 1 No M14+, No W16+                             Leg 1- 15 minutes, median time 25 minutes (white)

·         Leg 2 No M16-65, No W18-55                      Leg 2- 20 minutes, median time 35 minutes (yellow)

·         Leg 3 No M18-55, No W20-35                      Leg 3- 30 minutes (orange)

·         Leg 4 No M20-45, No W21E                          Leg 4- 40 minutes (orange)

·         Leg 5 No M21E                                                  Leg 5- 50 minutes (red)

·         Leg 6 Open                                                         Leg 6- 45 minutes (red)

·         Leg 7 Open                                                         Leg 7- 50 minutes (red)

Camp site 

The event centre and camp site will be located on the Western part of the map.
The camp site is a paddock adjacent to the event centre and start/finish. There will be plenty of camping space for tents and campervans. There will be portaloos on site. There will be room for club tents overlooking the finish. You will need to be self sufficient for camping including water.

Sunday event

Mini Rogaine Start 9.30am

If you are keen to take part in Katoa Po this year, email Scott Carswell on trevnallie@gmail.com

North Shore Sprint Series 2018

For many North Shore based members, we are aware that the AOC SummerNav events are sometimes very difficult to get to through rush  hour traffic. So, this year, we have decided to open  the North Shore Schools events to the public with starts available from 5:15 to 6:00pm. Gold coin donation to cover map costs. This is a trial, so if you are keen on the idea, make sure you come along!

If you have a NWOC shirt, it’d be great to run in that, to get our brand out there amongst some prospective junior members!

Dates and venues:

EVENT 1 THURS 22ND FEB ALBANY JUNIOR HIGH
EVENT 2 THURS 1ST MARCH WESTLAKE BOYS HIGH
EVENT 3 THURS 8TH MARCH PINEHURST SCHOOL
EVENT 4 THURS 15TH MARCH LONG BAY COLLEGE
EVENT 5 THURS 22ND MARCH KRISTIN SCHOOL

NWOC Lake Kereta Expedition - 24/25 March

Save the Date: 24/25 March Club Overnight Camping with Activities on Saturday and AOS 2 on Sunday

On the 24th of March, NWOC is planning an overnight camping expedition to South Head's very own tropical lake, Lake Kereta...here's hoping the weather stays tropical!

Bring your family or just yourself, and your camping gear, food and drinking water. Take part in the afternoon’s activities (Matt Ogden has a few things up his sleeve), enjoy uninterrupted views of the milky way at night, and then run at the AOS2 event on the Sunday. There are toilets and cold showers on site..oh....and a beautiful lake to swim in.

This is a fun event with no pressure and a great way to get to know some more people in the club. More details to follow at a later date but arrival time will be from 12 noon on Saturday. NWOC will pay the $10 per person camping fee for members - an added incentive to get those 2018 subs paid!

Lake Kereta is a 32ha waterbody that lies at the South Head peninsula of the Kaipara Harbour, in the Rodney District, along the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand.

Sign up to let us know you are coming on https://goo.gl/4ZdaS4

NEW School Forest Series - seeking coaches

This year we are planning to introduce a School Forest Series comprising the first three AOS events. The series is intended as a follow-on from the sprint series, to better bring students up to speed in forest and other terrain. While  some details are still being finalised , as part of the series we want to offer coaching from 10 - 11am, with most school students not racing until after 11am. We see this as a way to assist schools who do not have a club member associated with them (or even if they do!)

We are seeking volunteer coaches (juniors and seniors) who would be prepared to make themselves available between 10 and 11am at any or all of the first three AOS events.

If you are willing to assist with this, please email Kaye Griffiths on kaye@griffiths.gen.nz

Controller’s Clinic

Calling all potential controllers!

ONZ is organising a controllers clinic on the 3&4 March  at Huapai District School and Riverhead Forest. Our club is keen to send anybody that is keen to do the course (providing they fit some pre-requisites) along.

To do this course you should:

*Be familiar with OCAD course setting
*Be over the age of 18 (although younger members may be considered)
*Commit to both days of training
*Have good attention to detail.

If you are unsure if this is appropriate for you, email Marquita to check marquita.gelderman@gmail.com 

The club will pay the cost of $20 for anybody who wishes to take part.

Register on https://www.orienteering.org.nz/events/controllers-clinic-upper-north-island-march-3rd-and-4th/

SI and OLynx Training

Interested in learning what makes your Sportident go beep? Want to be more confident and able to help out with the IT at events? North West is running an IT workshop on the 24 February about how to run our new event software, O-LYNX. No technology experience needed, just the ability to read a screen and click a button! Starting at 10am at the Harbour Sport buildings, by the main gate to QBE stadium in Albany, the workshop will last approximately 2 hours. Email camerondelisle@gmail.com to register your interest.

Club Member Profile

This newsletter we are profiling one of our new Executive Committee members - our Committee Secretary, Annemarie Hogenbirk. Annemarie has only been on board for a couple of months and is already making a huge contribution.
She took time out from writing up the minutes of a recent Exec meeting to answer a few questions.

Number of years orienteering, and how were you introduced to orienteering?

My husband Jan and I only seriously started with orienteering in 2016, but I have been involved ‘on the sidelines’ for a lot longer, via our daughters. Both Laura and Femke were introduced to orienteering through teacher Wanda Chalmers at Northcross Intermediate. Being the owner of a van, I drove to and from lots of the school events with a car full of muddy teenagers and, instead of waiting, I decided to capture these events in photos, and that’s how both Jan and I got hooked, very slowly over time.

Key orienteering achievements to date?

To be honest, each event where I end ahead of my husband is a serious achievement, as well as each event where I find the majority of the controls on first approach. During my first Rogaine in Woodhill, I ended up a full 30 minutes late. However, onwards and upwards! The appeal of orienteering is that it challenges me mentally and physically, with the additional bonus of the most gorgeous locations you normally wouldn’t have access to. Another aspect I really enjoy is the camaraderie: the familiar faces, the laughter, and the fellow volunteers, all helping out to make each event a success.

Current orienteering project or goal?

In an effort to improve my skills, I have started a diary describing my orienteering adventures. After each event or training, I try to analyse what went well as well as my ‘points to work on’. Due to a foot injury, I haven’t been able to run in 2017, and that has definitely helped with the map reading.

Favourite map and why?

To be honest, every new map is still a challenge for me.

Orienteering hero?

My orienteering heroes are junior fellow club members who give up their time and expertise to help people like myself, who have come to orienteering later in life, during training days, with endless patience and a smile!

Day job?

I work as a registered clinical nutritionist in my own practice from home, and do additional volunteering work for the Life Education Trust, a New Zealand wide charity bringing health-based messages to primary and intermediate schools with the help of brilliant educators, a mobile classroom, and Harold, our giraffe mascot.

Other interests?

I love walking, and often go for long walks with my husband in the weekends, as well as gardening, photography, and keeping up to date with scientific discoveries regarding health and well-being.

Rogaine Series 2018

Entries  have just opened. Once again we have generous sponsorship from Bivouac Outdoor and the first 50 entrants for the whole series will go into the draw to win an awesome backpack, so be in quick!

Events this year are: 15 April - Riverhead, 13 May - Slater Road, 17 June - Temu Road.

Details and entries on http://rogaineseries.co.nz/

National Champs

It seems unbelievable that we are nearly at this time again! Of course they are coming around faster than usual, as the 2017 champs were at Labour Weekend.

If you are a new orienteer and do not wish to take part at Championship level, you are still able to enter B or C grades.

Enter by 9 March to ensure you don’t pay late fees!

http://www.orienteeringauckland.org.nz/nzoc/info/

Also, make sure you have paid your 2018 NWOC subscription to be eligible to compete as a club member.

The relays are a fun conclusion to the carnival - don’t be afraid to enter as there are a range of relay classes being trialled this year so you will not end up running on a very long course if you do not wish to! Allan Janes and Matt Ogden will be coordinating relay teams and will be in touch once they have a list from the organisers of who has entered.

2018 NWOC Membership Renewal

Subscriptions for 2018 are now due and the club would love you to consider renewing your membership now! To those who have already paid your 2018 membership - thank you.

With our membership system we already have all your details in the membership database, and apart from your payment no further action is required. If you'd like to check your details, please logon on to our membership database (https://www.revolutionise.com.au/nwoc) and then pay your subscription. If you have any problems logging in, please contact Annemarie Hogenbirk (annemarie@jager.co.nz).

Please direct credit the NWOC bank account: WESTPAC Account 03- 0243-0247251-000 and PLEASE include your name in the reference field (preferred method).

For more information please visit our website https://www.nwoc.org.nz/home/  or contact Annemarie or Lisa.

The subs are unchanged from 2017 (and 2015/2016  etc.):

• $20 for juniors and unwaged
• $60 for seniors ( 21 and over)
• $100 Partners/ couples with no children included
• $120 for family living at same address ( 2 seniors and children over 10 years at same address)
• Over 65 years ( generally not working) $20 per person

Seeking a NWOC Treasurer for 2019

Are Finances your thing and are you keen to become more involved with North West?

 We are looking ahead to find a keen club member to take over the role of club treasurer in 2019. Lisa Mead has held this role since 2013 and it will soon be time for a new face on the committee.

You don't have to be a qualified accountant or financial genius (although that would be great) but you must have an understanding of financial processes, club banking requirements and have an eye for detail.

The club uses the Xero accounting system which is very straightforward, makes reporting easy and is a great time saver.

This year we are working on streamlining the treasurer's role, so that the main tasks will be:

• Seeking approval of accounts and payment of invoices
• Banking proceeds from club events
• Data input to the Xero Accounts system& bank reconciliation
• Monthly reporting (mostly generated from Xero)
• Provide budget advice to the NWOC committee when requested
• Reporting to Orienteering New Zealand 
• GST returns (generated by Xero)
• Assisting with Membership database
• Financial grant applications for special projects
• Preparing annual financial accounts

 Please contact the club or Lisa (mead10b@gmail.com) if you have any questions or are interested in the role and would like to get more involved with the team that keeps the club going.

NISS 2018 Dates

A message from Jane Harding from Wellington Orienteering Club

“Bringing to your attention that the dates for NISS 2018 are: 27-29 April.  Please note these dates are Friday to Sunday, not Thursday to Saturday as in previous years.

Dates and locations are on the ONZ website.  More information will be posted on the club website shortly.”

MTBO News

Here is a quick summary of MTBO events coming up in the first half of the year.

2018 National Champs

The major event in the calendar is the 2018 National Champs (Incorporating an Australia/NZ MTBO Challenge). Central Otago will host a week of Foot and MTB Orienteering from the 21st to 28th April (ANZAC Day week/ 2nd week of School holidays).

Got to http://sic2018.dunedinorienteering.org for details of the entire week long carnival, or http://sic2018.dunedinorienteering.org/mtbo if you're only interested in the 5 days of MTBO around the Alexandra district.

As this event will be an Australia-NZ Challenge match, Orienteering NZ is seeking self-nominations to join the NZ team, with details at https://www.orienteering.org.nz/news/selection-notice-anz-mtbo-challenge-2018.

If you are flying to this I would suggest getting flights asap, as they will get very pricey if you leave it too late.

Australia

There are 2 very appealing MTBO events this year.

Victorian MTBO Championships

First up is the Victorian MTBO Championships on March 17/18 in Creswick (2hr drive from Melbourne). Here’s what they have to say...

“These championships are shaping as something very special. Make sure you book them in. The Sprint and Middle events will be on new MTBO maps and the Long will feature the classic Creswick Forest trails that featured in the 2004 World MTBO Champs. The Sprint will be in the Resort and Golf course, with plenty of MTB trails, golf cart tracks and open fairways featured that is sure to be a fantastic challenge and great fun to ride. The Middle is in the Creswick Diggings area and includes many navigational challenges through the old mining areas with a variety of tracks, roads and paths.

The event centre will be the RACV Goldfields Resort at Creswick with all events, Sprint, Middle and Long, starting and finishing at the resort.

It could be a one stop shop for the weekend with a special 2 night accommodation package being offered to us by the resort, and the Saturday Night Championships Dinner will also be at the resort utilising one of the resorts spectacular dining rooms. Wherever you decide to stay, we strongly recommend that you book your accommodation soon as there is a major event on in Ballarat that weekend.

Check out this video of the MTB trails at the resort.

To gain access to the golf course for the Sprint event, the event program will be as follows:

Saturday am – Long Distance 

Sunday early am – Sprint Distance

Sunday late am – Middle Distance

Further details here

From Rob Garden "Book this early if you are going as accommodation will be very tight. If you wish to go, please let me know, as I plan to fly in Friday, and return Sunday, and transport could be shared."

Australian MTBO Champs

The Australian Champs are on 19th/20th May just north of Brisbane. There is also a 6 hour rogaine the week before and the organisers can help out with MTBO training maps to keep you occupied during the week.

http://www.ausmtbochamps.com/

Here is a message from one of the event organisers:

“My name is Debbie Gordon and I am an active member of the Sunshine Orienteering Club.Qld Australia. It is my job to promote events particularly the upcoming Australian and Qld MTBO event which will be held in SE Qld in May.

As most of you would be aware this is a huge task for volunteers so I am seeking your help to promote this to anyone you know who can ride a bike and navigate. Last year in NSW you "kiwis" gave us a bit of a touch up. This is a term of endearment. I checked with my nz friends so hopefully I haven't offended anyone!

We have a small committee of people trying to make it a great event. We have incorporated a Cyclegaine on the weekend before in Stanthorpe. If you haven't been there, it is a scenic, unique part of the granite belt situated in Qld's very own wine growing region.

We have organised a practise MTBO event on the Friday and 3 top events on the 19th and 20th May. The middle distance event will be particularly appealing as we have sourced the use of 900 acres of private land which is usually used for horse riding. The horses are being put in a paddock so we have the place to ourselves. 

We have obtained the use of a convention centre so are able to offer reasonably priced accommodation for the Friday and Saturday night."

Other Notable Achievements

Congratulations Gene Beveridge for his third place in the Tarawera 62km on 10 February.

Member Chris Gelderman is currently riding the Tour Aotearoa which started at Cape Reinga on 9 February and will see riders make their way to Bluff. You may like to watch his progress on http://www.touraotearoa.nz/p/home.html

If you know anything that our members have done that may be of interest to the rest of the membership, please let Kaye know on kaye@griffiths.gen.nz