Annual Report of the Northern Ireland Orienteering Association Registered with the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland NIC100711
April 2022-March 2023
The object of the Association continues to be the promotion of orienteering in all its forms in Northern Ireland, as stated in the constitution. Orienteering is a sport recognised by Sport NI and the Association remains affiliated to the British Orienteering Federation.
The Association with the support of its clubs, officials and volunteers staged the following Northern Ireland Orienteering events during the year:
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The Northern Ireland Colour Series has had seven events; two staged by Fermanagh Orienteers, two by North West Orienteering Club and three by Lagan Valley Orienteers
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The Northern Ireland Long Distance Championships was staged by North West Orienteering Club in October 2022 at Carntogher, Co Londonderry.
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The Northern Ireland Sprint and Middle Distance Championships were staged were staged by Fermanagh Orienteers at Lisnaskea and Spring Grove Forest, Co Fermanagh in May 2022.
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The Northern Ireland Score and Night Championships were staged at Todds Leap, Co Tyrone in February 2023 by Fermanagh Orienteers.
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The Junior Inter-Regional Championships were held at Tyrella, Co Tyrone in September 2022, with 180 juniors and coaches travelling from each region of British Orienteering.
There was also good representation of NI Orienteering members at the Junior, Senior and Veteran Home Internationals. Members who were selected to run for Ireland at home international level were financially supported towards travel costs. The Northern Ireland team were able to run on home terrain at the Junior International Regional Championships.
The financial position of the Association remains strong, with a closing balance for the year of £37,687.
A series of workshops were held with the aim of upskilling officials and volunteers prior to the British Sprint and Middle Distance Championships held in May 2023. These workshops have helped to improve quality and safety at events.
The Association continues to make detailed orienteering maps available to Community Rescue Service (NIC106359) to assist with the search of missing persons.
Participation in all of the events noted above was open to the public, whether or not individuals had joined an orienteering club or the Association. The many benefits of participating in the sport of orienteering including improved personal health, development of personal skills and opportunities to spend more time in nature remain open to all. Membership and entry fees remain modest in comparison with most sports.
The committee for the year, who have had regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s public benefit requirement statutory guidance, was Philip Baxter, David Blair, Michael Burton, Raymond Finlay, Teresa Finlay, Lyle Fleming, Des Fletcher, Stephen Gilmore, Wilbert Hollinger, Eibhlin Largey, Anthony McGonigle and Gordon Stephens. Eibhlin Largey stood down on 14 May 2022 and was replaced by Robbie Bryson and Heather Cairns.
Stephen Gilmore Honorary Secretary, NI Orienteering January 2024