Annual Report of the Northern Ireland Orienteering Association Registered with the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland NIC100711 April 2023-March 2024
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, postponed from autumn 2023 was staged by Lagan Valley Orienteers in March 2024 at Slieve Croob, Co Down.
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The Northern Ireland Score and Night Championships were staged at St Columb’s Park and Ballykelly Forest, Co Londonderry in February 2024 by North West Orienteering Club.
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The British Sprint and Middle Championships were held in May 2023 at the city of Armagh and Drumkeeragh Wood, attracting a large entry of orienteers from Great Britain, Republic of Ireland and Scandinavia.
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 travelled to Wales to compete at the Junior International Regional Championships. Daniel Earnshaw was selected to run for Ireland at the Junior World Orienteering Championships in Romania.
The financial position of the Association remains strong, with a closing balance for the year of £31,143.
A series of Rescue Emergency Care First Aid courses were held. These courses have helped to improve quality and safety at events.
The Association continues to make detailed orienteering maps available to Community Rescue Service (NIC106359), Mourne Mountain Rescue Team (NIC101696) and North West Mountain Rescue Team (NIC100059) 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 George Savell and Gordon Stephens. George Savell stood down on 1 June 2024 and was replaced by Declan Logue, Moire O’Sullivan and Ross Walker.
Stephen Gilmore Honorary Secretary, NI Orienteering December 2024