SWAT SQUAD (Scottish West Area Training)

Posted: Mon 30 Sep 2019

There has been an exciting development for juniors in the West of Scotland who are interested in improving their orienteering skills. Please read the information below and follow the links if your child/children are interested. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our junior co-ordinator Susannah Macmillan or any committee member through the EckO web site.

Supporting Juniors

There has been a very healthy response to setting up the SWAT Squad (Scottish West Area Training). This is a development squad for all West Area juniors at orange level and above. The aim is to improve skills, provide a chance for juniors to get to know each other and have some fun time too. Mostly there will be day training events with a long social lunch and then some residential weekends. The residential weekends will be for S1 and above with exceptions being made for P7 age pupils who are both mature and show they are confident at orange level. There is also training available for parents/adults at the day events. Training is open to TAY members too though recognising that they are part of the East. It just makes sense to maximise on when controls are already out - that way as many people as possible benefit from them being there.
We would be delighted to hear from coaches, parents and other adults who want to help in any way. The plan is a minimum of 4 coaches per session coaching orange, light green, green+ levels and adults.
Sign up for juniors is through this link: https://forms.gle/q2853DCgPZS2rrFZ7
Sign up for adults and coaches is through this link: https://forms.gle/5qd2T8qcPcNe29Kg7

The initial dates and venues are:



Other dates set for next year are:

The lead contact for the squad is Roger Goddard from FVO. Roger is also coordinating entries to the inter-areas competition contact rogergoddard74@gmail.com
FVO are leading on the first two sessions then ECKO have offered to lead the Feb session and SOLWAY are offering next Autumn. Coaches don't need to come from the lead club for a session. The lead club will coordinate that session and get support as required.

Junior Inter-area weekend 9th/10th November Yellows needed!!
This annual event takes place in Deeside this year with relays taking place on the Saturday at Scotly Hill by Banchory and the Individual on Sunday at Camus O May near Aboyne. The event is a chance for juniors from different clubs in the west to get together and support the West area clubs in a friendly competition against the North and East. There is already a good sign up but the more the merrier especially YELLOWS. Sign up for any Yellows who have not already done so is via this form before the end of September if possible. For any queries about the event, just email: Jen Leonard from FVO membership@fvo.org.uk or have a chat at an event.

There is a SOL running in conjunction with this on the Sunday and we are hoping that the Scottish University Champs run over the two days too so an exciting weekend for all. Accommodation is at the Youth Hostel in Aberdeen for Juniors.