This is a difficult report to write given the problems since mid February arising from the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease. Usually I have successes to report on from the JK and British Champs but this year there is none due to there being no events. I am sure that it is very disappointing for all of you but especially the Junior Squad who had planned and paid for the trip to Northern Ireland for the British Champs and were particularly looking forward to the event.
It is inevitable that the last 4 months and the lack of opportunity to compete anywhere in the country has clouded the whole year. However prior to February a number of good things to place and need to be recognised.
After some delay (mainly due to the Chairman’s failure to produce reports to agreed timescales – thanks Mark for being persistent in chasing me) the Points East website has gone live. Hopefully more information and articles will be made available together with reports on meetings and the fixtures list in the future. Remember it is up to everyone to contribute to make it interesting and successful.
A major success has been the introduction of the SportIdent electronic punching equipment purchased through a combination of lottery grant, EAOA money and loans from clubs. The system was first used in full at the Junior Inter-Regional Champs where it was a great success. Since then most clubs have had an opportunity to use the system either at colour coded or badge events. In fact the demand has been such that some clubs have already been paid back their original loan.
The success of the SportIdent system has enabled EAOA to look ahead and to purchase more control units and punches to ensure that planners of badge events have sufficient equipment to ensure that the quality of the courses is not jeopardised.
I have referred to the JIRC and this was one of the highlights of last year. The Junior Squad has been getting stronger over the last few years and with the event being on home ground everyone expected some improvement over previous years. What was not expected was that we would be leading the competition after the 1st day’s Individual event. The final result of 3rd place overall, after the relays, was an exceptional performance. Congratulations to all the team including the co-ordinators and coaches.
During the early part of the year several of the juniors where selected to run for England in the Home Internationals. These included Helen Gardner, Edmund Kelleher and Suzy Robertson. Also selected to run for England but in the Veterans Home International was Jenny Collyer. Well done to them all.
We have also been successful with the number of juniors who managed to be awarded places on BOF training camps. These include the following:
Another major event to remember was the wedding of Ann Collyer and Eric Roller in July, where members of the Junior Squad provided the guard of honour. Ann and Eric have both been members of EAOA in the past and East Anglian Champions. Ann in particular has been involved in orienteering in East Anglia for a vast number of years including a spell as coach for the Junior Squad. Congratulations to them both and best wishes for their future happiness.
Returning to the foot and mouth outbreak, it is now looking as if the battle is over and before too long the all clear will be announced. Hopefully by mid summer we will once again be able to participate in orienteering events. As I have said before it really does underline how much we rely on the good will of both local and national land owning bodies to allow us access to the terrain which we need so badly.
The future for EAOA looks to remain unchanged as BOF has not moved any further forward with it’s restructuring plans with regards to establishing an English orienteering body. Here’s looking forward to doing some orienteering in the next year, which I have to remind you will be my last as Chairman.
Tim Eden (NOR)