Junior Training Days

WORDS CAROLYN LAYTON PHOTOS DEBBIE DODD

In January 2020 when bushfire smoke was our biggest challenge and we had the services of our international coaching scholar Frederic Tranchand we ran a targeted clinic for our youngest Victorian orienteers from 9am-1pm over 2 days. The event was held at RMIT Bundoora West using the established sprint map and was attended by around 20-25 under 14 orienteers and a few over 14 juniors (siblings and friends) who all benefited from the expert technical coaching as well as the camaraderie and friendship that was built during the 2 days.

The above mentioned bushfire smoke did provide a challenge on Day 1 as it was too thick to hold the clinic outside and the group retreated to the RMIT gym where thanks to his European experiences Fredo had a full program of both practical exercises and theory questions and discussions throughout the morning. Being January it was evident that many of the participants were excited to see each other having not had much contact with other orienteers since September or that there were new friendships being made. As a parents it was a wonderful opportunity to meet many of the other parents and have time to chat that is often missing at events when trying to juggle the complexities of not losing children and getting a run yourself!

Day 2 of the clinic was postponed for 24 hours due to the likelihood of the air quality being significantly improved (those BOM contacts are very useful!) and it was great to see the participants able to get outside to practice some of the theory that they had been learning. A “follow the line” course with the aim of practicing the skills of matching the terrain to the map and keeping in contact with the map was a highlight. The fun relay race was a great way to finish up the sessions.

Feedback for this clinic was very positive, both from participants and parents. It was rewarding to see how well the kids responded to Fredo’s engaging manner and enthusiasm for his subject. It was also wonderful to see how the participants responded in the few events they did get to participate in before COVID-19 interrupted the 2020 season and to see those friendships that had been formed over the 2 days carry onto other events. Hopefully as we transition back to a more normal program of events we can run more activities that focus on the youngest of our juniors and their families.