JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT
Queensland’s Mini Cyclones Rob Simson (Squad Manager)
Queensland already had named its NOL teams the Queensland Cyclones and its Junior training squad the Junior Cyclones when the Mini Cyclones squad was launched in 2003. The plan was to give greater encouragement and support to 11-14 year olds who could participate at the easy (green) and moderate (orange) levels of competition.
T
he program is skills not fitness based, in the belief that serious orienteering fitness training for Juniors should not occur till the 15th year, and that the natural fitness from childhood games and other sporting activities is sufficient for the young participants. The thumb compass is introduced early, to be used in conjunction with the map, and nutrition and injury prevention are part of the program. Exposure at an early age to the atmosphere of a major competition is also important. The aim is to encourage and hold families by offering some financial assistance for travel to major national events as well as discounted introductory club membership. An annual 3-Day training camp is fully financed for each Mini Cyclone member and one parent. Parents are encouraged to participate and help in the camp activities and learn the orienteering skills themselves. Where possible the squad members are also attached to an adult coach or mentor other than a parent to give advice and further encouragement through the year. The emphasis is always on enjoyment. We want them to love the sport and not to feel that they have to win to be recognised and successful. The 2003 intake included national stars, Bridget Anderson and Simon Mee. As well 10 others out of the first 20 members went on to represent Queensland in the Queensland Schools Team. The second year brought in Krystal Neumann and Kurt Neumann (still 11 at the time), Joshua Neumann (their cousin), Oliver Crosato, and Lilian Burrill, and started them on the way to National success and National Junior Squad membership. Now seven members of the current National Junior Squad and four of the National Development squad are ex Mini Cyclones. In our 2009 cohort Max Neumann (from a third Neumann family) is already an outstanding performer. Like his cousin Kurt before him he won the M14 Australian Championship at 13 and was selected in the Australian Schools team for the Oceania carnival where he won the M14 class. He has more speed than Kurt but not quite the eye for terrain and the same composure under stress. Younger brother Jack is also showing lots of promise. David Tay, also 14 this year, is the Australian MTBO M14 Champion. Like Max he was a member of the successful 2008 Queensland Schools Orienteering Team. Matt Doyle brother of the outstanding Doyle sisters, Katie and Jacqui (see their Easter 3 Day and National Championship results in 2007-8) will be making his mark on the national scene this year. While still 12 Matt was 4th in the M14 Queensland Championships and 6th in the Australian Middle Distance at the 2008 National Carnival in Maryborough. 20 THE AUSTRALIAN ORIENTEER MARCH 2009
Rising stars amongst the girls are Heather Burridge and Alison Burrill. Heather is the Australian and Oceania W12 Champion over both Long and Middle Distances and will run W14 this year. Alison (sister of Lilian) came 4th in the W14 Australian Championship this year and has another chance in this class in 2009. The plan is to maintain the squad at around 24-30, eight to ten for each year level. Scouts are on the lookout at school and club events and those showing talent or a keen interest are recruited. Members are encouraged to bring siblings and friends along to events to try out the sport, and this can also lead to new memberships. Some newspaper advertising has been tried with little response. This year Queensland Orienteering will be recognising our UltraMini Cyclones, 9-11 year olds, to start them off on the right foot with map reading and navigation practice. They will feed into the Mini Cyclones in their 12th year. Editor’s note: some extracts from the OQ Junior Incentive Program brochure make informative reading.
Activities: Juniors selected to participate in the scheme will be offered opportunities to further their progress in Orienteering by participating in a number of different activities. These activities will vary from year to year but may include: • A special fully or partially funded coaching camp for 12-14 year olds. •M ini Cyclone coaching activities as part of the normal OQ coaching days. • Subsidised bus travel to selected events outside Brisbane and the annual Queensland Championships. • Being assigned to a personal coach or mentor who will provide advice on how to keep a performance log and analyse results. • Receiving advice on training and injury prevention. Special financial assistance may also be arranged for Mini Cyclone squad members who live outside Brisbane and may not be able to benefit from the city-based activities. Parents must be prepared to support the program by seeing that their child has suitable orienteering equipment including an orienteering compass, a whistle, appropriate foot-wear, and perhaps an orienteering suit. The State Director of Coaching will be able to advise on the most suitable equipment and where it is available.
Competition Level: Juniors who enter the scheme in their 12th year will be expected to participate in their first year at Green (easy) level of navigation with a view to improving their map reading and navigation skills. Participating juniors in their 13th year must be able to participate at an Orange (moderate) level involving off-track navigation and be confident enough to cope with re-location problems when controls prove difficult to find. Participants in their 14th year will be expected to perform very well at Orange (moderate) level and be prepared to try an occasional Red (hard navigation) course in training situations.
Continuing juniors: A participant in their 12th or 13th year shall not assume that their inclusion in the scheme for the following year will be automatic. Any on-going selection will be dependent on the child showing continued interest, commitment and development - perhaps in terms of reaching certain goals set out by the personal coach or State Coaching Coordinator.
