THE ROAD TO DENMARK

WOC Preparation

Sue Neve Manager/Coach of Womens’ Team

THE team to represent Australia at the World Orienteering Championships (WOC2006) in Denmark this August has been announced and once again we can be proud of our orienteers who have been selected. The strength of our teams has been developing over the years and we can say that the processes and practices set by Orienteering Australia have worked effectively to achieve such a high standard of orienteers and to give them every opportunity to do well as a team. Due to the good work of many, many people at all levels, we can say these select few can truly represent the nation in our sport.

In preparation for WOC, the team attended training camps at Orange in May and at the Queens Birthday Weekend events at Beechworth. Along with a training camp available in Denmark in mid-July, the final preparation will be settling into Denmark prior to WOC.

Physically, the team members have already done the training over many years but now must put all that hard work and discipline together toward peaking for those special days in August. Technically we will be exposing them to the right terrain and bringing in Danish expertise to advise here. Most have already familiarised themselves with the Danish terrain and know the specific areas to be used. It is terrain where the Australians are not disadvantaged. However the race intensity and speed will be at the

Grace Elson (TAS) Photo: Bob Mouatt Anna Sheldon (QLD) has a MTBO World Champs bronze medal to her credit and is now off to her first Foot-O World Championship. Photo: Bob Mouatt

highest level, and most Australians have less experience of this race pressure.

Psychologically, I will be aiming for team harmony. A collective spirit is always so much more empowering than an individual effort. Everyone has a role to play in the team and the collective energy is well known to be very effective in lifting all performances.

As well, we must properly prepare each individual by providing an environment of sleeping well, being fed well, having good team dynamics and recovery practices. As well they will need the support of other Australians attending the event and from those back home. So wish them well.

Nevertheless, after all that preparation we are all too aware of the unknown factors that can daunt us in Orienteering. Events that can occur in life and in the mind whilst orienteering that we cannot anticipate even if we are well prepared. Here, the orienteer who has the ability to hold it together on that all-important day is the true champion. Somehow they know or believe they can do it. No matter what comes their way they come through.

Our goals are high - even a medal and top-10 results - and we also need to support this with depth and good relay results to truly represent Australia. This is an ongoing approach to performance that will, both short-term and long-term, raise the bar for Australian orienteering. This can only be reflected in a culture of teamwork to reap the rewards.

I would like to thank all of the orienteering public in supporting the Australian Orienteering team to Denmark. We have a team of fine athletes who are to compete at the highest international level that I can say will do us proud.