Interview with Francesca Taufer

Brodie Nankervis interviewed coach-in-residence Francesca Taufer. Courtesy of Orienteering Australia E-news. The coach-in-residence (CIR) program is an exciting opportunity for orienteers from across the world to visit Australia and coach orienteering. Francesca has been in Tasmania from November 2022.

Hi Francesca, thanks for chatting with me, firstly let’s find out a little bit more about you. Where are you from, how did you start orienteering, and what has been your journey in the sport to now?

I came from Primiero, a small valley in the Dolomites (north of Italy). It’s a small place but perfect for running and orienteering. I started orienteering in primary school where my PE teacher (a coach of my club) introduced me to it. At 11 years old I joined the club, fell in love with this sport and its environment, so I never left it. I then ran for many years in the Italian national team competing at EYOC and JWOC as a junior and at World Cups and WOC as a senior. I have had some physical problems in the last years, but I hope to fully come back to it.

Interesting to get to know your background, sounds like many years being a part of orienteering. How did you hear about the coach in residence program? What made you want to be involved?

A friend of mine did the program some years ago and since then I have wanted to do that. Then I finished with my studies and the right time has come. I like to coach people doing this sport to see the improvement they make, the effort and joy they put into what they're doing. I like this project because I believe that sharing experience has a fundamental role for growing in our sport. In my experience I have learned a lot from the stories, teaching and experiences of different people. I was sure that I’ll learn a lot by

Why do you want to help newcomers?

A lot of people have helped me, so I think it’s good to give back. Also, I believe helping others is good for the soul! If I can help more people engage with orienteering, they will also get to have experiences like those that have enriched my life. And the list can keep going… connecting with the outdoors, confidence you gain when you can navigate successfully, socialising, getting endorphins… this experience as an athlete and a person, and I hope to transmit something to others. Also, I've never been to Australia before but always dreamed about coming to see different environments, maps and forests, and to meet new people, cultures and live great experiences.

How are the projects going?

The state reps and I are busy working behind the scenes at the moment. We plan to run the first Learn to Orienteer pilot programs from term 4, so keep your eyes open for opportunities to invite your friends!

The orienteering instructor e-learning coaching course will go live from October, the other coaching courses will be published in phase two.

Good to hear that the word is getting around in Europe! Tell us more about your experience with the program in Tasmania, what have you been doing?

For the first two months I was in Launceston, north of Tasmania, where I was coaching the local club (EVOC). I was doing weekly orienteering sessions (both sprint and forest, trying to focus each time on a different technique) teaching orienteering in primary schools and helping with other activities (likecreating some materials with advice on some mental aspects of our sport (I studied psychology). After Oceania Championships, where I was helping to wake up controls, I moved to the south. In Hobart I’m doing more or less the same things for the club here (Australopers). Both of the times I had found a warm welcome and really nice people, so everything gets easier to do, and it is really nice to work with them. I’m loving my time here.

Ok, let’s get into the quickfire round. Favourite coaching activity?

Talking with the athletes after the training to check how it was. Best orienteering map to coach on?

Right now: St Helens area.

Favourite Australian food? Italian food?

A vegemite toast (I’m joking of course, that’s not food). Italian lasagne wins.

Favourite Australian pastime?

Searching for wallabies everywhere.

What is the thing you miss most about Italy?

Winter and snow (mmm, definitely no). So, my cat Taco.

One thing still to tick off your bucket list?

I still have to see a koala, but they told me I can’t find them in Tassie. That was disappointing, but I don’t give up hope and try on the mainland.

Editor’s note: Happy to report that since the interview Francesca has managed to see a koala on the mainland.