SOA Development Conference June 2010
Robert Kincaid volunteered to attend this conference on behalf of EckO. The theme was to learn from each other’s successes, as well as deepen knowledge of the contribution to the sport from sportScotland and British Orienteering.
Hilary Quick has made many of the presentations available to download from the National Centre website. Robert has added his observations about these presentations and these are detailed below. Many thanks from all the club to Robert for representing us and also for very quickly reporting back.
First speaker
was Malcolm Dingwall-Smith of sportScotland. He covered who to contact in the public sector, what to say to get noticed, Active schools, funding means from various sources which should be used in preference to SOA or BOF money if you can get it. The biggest pot of money is with 2014 Communities fund (which EckO accessed for the club coaching weekend in March 2010).
Next
was Anne Hickling GRAMP speaking about how to win ‘club of the year’ which only has had 3 entries in the last 2 years. She mentioned the big focus of the club was on the 6 days and the clubs efforts to make a real effort on their day and this has bonded the club considerably since.
• Involvement: was a big theme in the club with 20 positions held by people to share work loads. They run fitness/training all year round and are going to actively increase coach numbers.
• Network: being involved with other clubs close by with joint mapping and sharing kit when needed. Strong links with Forestry Commission who help in publicity and a few costs. Schools involvement has not worked. They have done some corporate events to help businesses and have made funds from this as well as publicity.
• Innovation: they have tried UrbanO, BikeO, incorporating the hill running club, and a type of mountain marathon event.
• Communication: within the club was thought to be vital and has to be plentiful with some meetings and socials to discuss matters.
Third
was Janet Clark ESOC on managing volunteers. They have 200 members but only 50 are committed and travel further to events. Easier to get planners but harder to get organisers for an event. They have a booklet on club ‘how to organise’ as well as one on planning and controlling. She thought it was crucial to identify useful folk early on and get them alongside to help another and then nurture them and train them to get a good result and their commitment to helping within the club which leads to satisfaction.
Fourth
was Mike Rodgers Moravian - witty guy on all round growth. He talked about having a league point system with club members, rotating days for events so it is not the same one, junior badge scheme.
Stressed having a publicity officer and photographer and regularly supplying details to paper in non orienteering speak. Pictures with councillors and sponsor businesses work for getting attention. Companies notice other sponsors in media and money and prizes are more forthcoming. Advertising an open run and not orienteering and cross fertilising with other sports and clubs e.g. getting a pro team to come and do some training in your area and do some team building and O work with them as an offshoot beside an event and they can award prizes and this pulled a lot of media coverage as does having a squad train in your area and meet up with the local young members. If you are going to work with schools you need to time the training so it leads on to an event or championship; they work with Active Schools.
At open local events the proficient young members run later and help and mentor/welcome other younger ones & newcomers along with an appointed adult.
Fifth
was Dougie Condy AYROC on Active Schools - basically having a link person who goes to schools and starts an agenda of meetings and training with P4&5 classes. This can move on to an after school club where a parent has to attend with the child, everyone gets trained and you get more committed people and numbers have doubled. You have to set the adults off first to get them out of the way and this works best.
Lunch and session outdoors
with Steve Vernon (BOF, N England) warming up particular muscles for orienteering needs - all on DVD which the club has a copy of.
He spoke again after lunch on Community ‘O’ as a step towards mainstream orienteering. It’s local, weekly, regular and for all. It is run by volunteers and a whole package of info is available for running sessions and ideas by emailing him. The social aspect of a club night is important; it may cost a bit of money for a venue like a high school and can incorporate family for skill development, social, and fun and fitness. Various BOF resources Coach forum, Activity Guide, Physical activity guide.
Sixth
was Terry O’Brien representing Scottish Schools. Curriculum for Excellence may be better for O in schools than at present where there is not much can be done out of school and within school it is difficult to keep to timing of bells so PE teachers find it easier to do all other sports in preference to O. What has worked is to tutor an S6 class who then make up an event for the younger school and this is less time restricted and they get to work with other age groups and have responsibilities. This needs some supervision and advice to get it all in good order prior to the event.
Break out sessions
followed to discuss:-
1. Promotion, Publicity, Sponsorship
2. School / Community links; Barriers and Possibilities
3. Development opportunities for club members
I think Roger Scrutton has a pile of notes from pulling this together - email?
Other items
The EckO handout was circulated early pm but nobody commented to Robert (this PDF is available from the National Centre website).
Bring a friend day - you have a basic star event first to get all in the picture and a touch of map training then they work as a pair with the friend doing as much as they can.
Club T shirts a good lot cheaper than running tops and more likely to be worn about town and be noticed - advert on everyone’s back
Hilary want to know if all clubs, including EckO, have an ACTIVE development plan not just something that has been drafted and filed away and forgotten.
There was a session on all the work Hilary does and what is available at National centre and what more do people want??
Roger Scrutton also did a session comparing English stats with Scottish, and Scotland is well up on % of activity in clubs, events, memberships, and participation, compared to England. BOF development fund awards are well up as a trend and these are from £100 - £2000; Scotland is getting a good share. He also talked on strategic plans, Questions and areas to develop. These were split 4 ways - Club, Events & Activities, Infrastructure of the sport, Partnerships to Publicise and Promote
I enjoyed the day and found that there is a huge wealth of knowledge amongst those volunteers that work hard to develop and foster clubs and present growth in the sport.
Posted on 22nd Jun 10
by Lynne Walker - Secretary
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