High performance funding

The funding for Irish High performance orienteering has just been announced for the year 2011. Many thanks to the IOA for the allocation of 11,000 euro to help towards the development of High performance.

This funding will assist the Irish senior squad to train and compete at the highest levels this year, including at the World championships which are to be held in France in August. Lets hope the senior team can give us such exciting spectating as last year in Trondheim.

Its not all fun and glamour for the seniors though! there is a lot of hard work and commitment (blood, sweat and tears) trough out the year for the whole squad.




This year has seen a reduction across the board in orienteering and sport in general in Ireland, realistically there will be less funding available for certain areas within HP. It is our intention to fund as much as possible in the terms of International competition (in particular the World Champs) , selection and training camps. We may also look into a return to funding awards based on performance and ranking.

If you have a view or suggestion on HP spending, or perhaps fundraising possibilities, please email them to elites@orienteering.ie

senior squad sport psychology

The first of the planned squad advisers/helpers posts has been filled.

Fingal’s Fiach O’Rourke is keen to help with the senior squads overall sporting ‘wellbeing’
By working with squad members to create individual sporting profiles and help evaluate individuals orienteering goals and aims (both short and long term)

Fiach is studying towards a masters in sports business with sports psychology, but he will still have time to help squad members with personal training plans and improve race preparation techniques.

Fiach will be helping the squad in a voluntary basis and would appreciate a good response from all squad members. Following the initial evaluation members can interact with Fiach as and when
required.

It is hoped that a blog site will be created where Fiach and the other advisers (technical, fitness, coaching) can offer regular tips and advice to senior squad members.

To start working on your sporting profile please contact Fiach at: fiachorourke@yahoo.co.uk

Ivan Millar
(High performance director)

G-com 3 day event

A new spring warm weather multi-day event called the G-COM is being organised in Gran Canaria this February. The event looks like becoming a popular alternative to the Iberian spring competitions in Portugal and Spain.
N.Ireland and British squad member Allan Bogle is one of the main organisers and has sent out a personal invitation to all Irish orienteers to come and sample what promises to be a relaxed but competitive event that has already attracted a number of top international orienteers.
Allan, who runs Active canaria warm weather training camps, has organised full-board accommodation in log cabins at very competitive rates.
The cabins are situated very close to some excellent training maps and is surrounded by 1000's of km of trails offering good hiking and running.

Considering the tight timeframe before the 2011 event It may be that the squad has to wait untill 2012 before an organised training camp is possible.
However, If any squad members are interested in attending this years G-COM please get in touch with Allan or visit the event website:

http://www.orienteering-g.com/