Coaching Sessions

OD Junior coaching for the 2015 Yvette Baker Trophy Final

This will go ahead at Warwick University on Saturday 13th June and will be in two parts, starting with a classroom map-geeking session followed by a set of orienteering exercises to put the theory into practice.

A more detailed email has already been sent to club members. If you have not received it and are interested in participating please read on.

I have 14 confirmed participants and can accommodate a few more juniors but I do need to know my final numbers by the end of Sunday 31st May to order the right number of maps. If any other club junior would like to join us please email me before the deadline at coaching@octavian-droobers.org

The cost will be £1 per participant. You will need a compass (if you have one) plus trainers and other suitable outdoor clothing including warm and waterproof garments. As with all my coaching, I want the emphasis to be on accuracy rather than speed so racing kit is not needed!

Please note this coaching is only available to club members who register with me by Sunday 31st May.

Thanks, Andy  coaching@octavian-droobers.org

RYTON POOLS COUNTRY PARK     Saturday 16 May 2015  11am – 3pm

As part of Warwickshire’s ‘The Big Day Out’ the local orienteering club OctavianDroobers, are staging a special event to introduce the outdoor fun adventure navigation sport for everyone, all ages, 5 – 85 years, and abilities.

Instruction/coaching is availablebefore you try a course

There will be two short courses 1km (easy) and 2km (medium) suitable for beginners.

Maps and electronic timing units supplied. Bring a compass if you have one.

Cost:free

plus refundable deposit of £5 for loan of timer

Thelma

Beginners Coaching, 21st March 2015

There will be another Beginners coaching session on Saturday March 21st at Burbage Common near Hinckley (this will be more convenient for people living in the North of our area but it is close to the M69.) aimed at White to Orange competitors.

Depending on who wants to attend I can tailor the coaching to your needs if I have enough notice.

The sessions will take place starting at 10:30 a.m. and will last approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours.

There will be a small charge of £2 per person.

If you are interested in attending either session please get in touch with me at thelma.spalton(at)btinternet.com and let me know of your orienteering experience, so I can pitch the course at the right level.

If you would like some coaching but these dates and venues don't fit in with you please get in touch and perhaps we can arrange something else.

Regards

Thelma Spalton

Club Coaching on the Gower, 28th Feb 2015

The club coaching weekend on the Gower in South Wales has been booked for the weekend of 28th February and 1st March 2015. 23 Droobers have signed up.  If anyone else is interested please contact me ASAP.  Andy

Club Coaching in the Autumn of 2014

Please be advised that the Rough Close coaching session on 6th December is now full!  Thanks to everyone who has supported this set of "sold out" sessions - it makes the effort well worthwhile.  If anyone would like me to cover any specific topics in future sessions please let me know. I have no future sessions planned at present, apart from my UKCCL2 assessment coaching activity in January, but there should be one or two coaching sessions in the new year that will be advertised in due course.  Andy

The final club coaching session of 2014 is due to take place at Rough Close (the Scout camp on the western edge of Coventry) on Saturday 6th December.  In keeping with the previous three linked coaching sessions, this final session will also be aimed primarily at Yellow and Orange standard orienteers.  I hope the opportunity to run on one of our best local areas will encourage most of those who have attended any of the first three coaching sessions to come along, but I already know that a few cannot make it so I should have room for others to join in too.

The coaching will run from 10:30 to approximately 12:00. Toilets are available close by.
The coaching cost will be £1:50 per participant. To help me order the correct number of maps would anyone wishing to attend this coaching session please email me at coaching@octavian-droobers.org in the next few days?

Importantly, please be aware that every map has a printing cost and therefore anyone who books a coaching place and who has not withdrawn by the time I send the map file for printing must pay the full coaching fee, whether they subsequently attend or not.  Andy.

The third Autumnal club coaching session in Oakley Woods on Saturday 15th November is fully subscribed.  Final details have been sent to all registered participants.  The final coaching session in this set will be at Rough Close on Saturday 6th December.  I'll issue an invitation by email via the club tree after Oakley.       Andy

The second Autumnal club coaching session in Wainbody Woods on Saturday 25th October is fully subscribed.  Final details have been sent to all registered participants.  Sorry, but I cannot accept anyone else!  Andy

The first Autumnal club coaching session in Abbey Fields on Saturday 4th October is now fully subscribed.  As a reminder please note that all club coaching must be pre-booked to allow the correct numbers of maps to be printed and to ensure an adequate coach:participant ratio.  Please do not turn up on Saturday if you have not received confirmation of a place on the Abbey Fields coaching from me! Thanks. Andy.

Four coaching sessions have been scheduled in the October to December period for club members and prospective members whose experience ranges from beginner up to the orange colour standard (which is when you start making route choices and going off-paths into the woodland).

Please note that you must register with me in advance (and be given a place) to take part.  On the day participation will only be possible if I have spare capacity, which is unlikely.  

I can be contacted by email to coaching@octavian-droobers.org Thanks, Andy

Club coaching at Bentley Woods on Saturday 17th May.

The final session in my set of six UKCC Level 2 coaching sessions will take placein Bentley Woods on Saturday 17th May.  The topic will again be “route choice” with the emphasis on planning longer routes in more demanding terrain.  Please note that this coaching is for OD Club Members only.  Further information has been sent via the OD email tree.  Please contact me if you have not received it.  Andy.

 Club coaching at Sutton Park on Saturday 12th April.

The 5th of my set of 6 UKCC Level 2 coaching sessions will take place in Sutton Park on Saturday 12th April.  The topic will again be “route choice” with the emphasis on attack points and planning “backwards”.  Please note that this coaching is for OD Club Members only.  Further information has been sent via the OD email tree.  Please contact me if you have not received it.  Andy.

Club Coaching at the OD Warwick University event on Saturday 5th April

Please note that the Warwick University coaching on Saturday 5th April is now fully subscribed.  Thanks. Andy.

 Club Coaching at the OD Warwick University event on Saturday 5th April

Saturday 1st Feb 2014 - Calling all beginners.

 I intend putting on a coaching session at Pooley Fields on Saturday 1st February for White and Yellow standard orienteers and is suitable for beginners.

The session will take place starting at 10:00 a.m. and will last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. There will be a small charge of £1 to cover materials.

You will be able to run a course at the Saturday morning event afterwards to practise your skills.

If you are interested in attending this session please get in touch with me at thelma.spalton@btinternet.com and let me know of your orienteering experience, so I can pitch the course at the right level.

Please note that there is a car park charge at Pooley Fields which you can pay at the machine near the visitor centre, or you can do it on-line late if you wish.

Regards,

Thelma Spalton

Saturday 9th November 2013 - Oakley Wood

An impressive turn-out of 19 juniors faced the rain and mud of Oakley Wood today for a “yellow plus” coaching session.  There was plenty of enthusiasm on display and I hope they all got something out of it, especially with the British Schools Champs next week-end.  Good luck with that!

I could not have done this without support and my thanks go to Mel Elkington, John Middler, Aimee Morse and Harrison McCartney for their help both out in the terrain and in debriefing the participants after completing their exercises.  Thanks to Mel & John for control collecting afterwards too.  Thanks also to Debbie Morse for keeping control of the activity attendance register, which with 19 juniors coming and going on 8 exercises could not have been easy, even before the paper was spattered with rain drops.

Finally thanks to the parents who brought the juniors to the event and hung around getting wet.  It is important that the coaching environment is positive and encouraging and parents have a responsibility in this respect as much as the coaching team.  You were all great.  Thank you.

Unfortunately I do not have time to put on another junior focussed coaching session before Xmas.  I shall have a think about it and will be in touch about it as soon as I can.  If any other OD coaches are able to offer any time in this respect please contact me – there is a demand!

Thanks

Andy (OD Coach)

CANCELLED - Saturday 9th March 2013 - Tudor Grange, Solihull

Unfortunately this session (along with the main orienteering event) has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

The next coaching session will take place at the Saturday morning event on 9th March at Tudor Grange in Solihull.  The event details can be found in the usual place on this website (and possibly from a link visible to the left of this article).

The coaching will be run by Chris Mackenzie and Andy Emmerson.

The session will be aimed at both adults and juniors with limited or no experience.  It will consist of a few short, simple exercises and map related explanations as appropriate.

There will also be an opportunity for anyone to discuss aspects of technique with the coaches and to practice new ideas.

After the coaching participants should be able to tackle the pre-planned Saturday morning coures with improved confidence.

The session will start at 10:00am but assistance will be available across the morning.  

It would help for map printing and exercise preparation if anyone intending to come would email  coaching@octavian-droobers.org with their names, their age (if juniors) and their current level of orienteering experience.

 There is a charge of £1 per person for the coaching.

Pleas note that juniors must be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout.

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Unfortunately resource limitations mean this will be the only club coaching session before Easter.

It is hoped to put on at least one further coaching activity in April or May, after which coaching will cease until the Autumn term.  

Any coaching in April or May is likely to be a two hour Saturday morning session that is run independently of any club event.  One option under consideration is to run a session for juniors prior to the Yvette Baker Trophy qualifier. More details will be emailed out and posted here in March.

Saturday 26th January 2013 - Wainbody Woods

At the request of Debbie Morse (Junior Co-ordinator), the Wainbody Woods session will primarily be aimed at juniors who are new to orienteering. Older juniors who are willing to help out by advising and shadowing are most welcome.  I can also accommodate adults who want the basics (and I know from emails that there are a few of you who would like a refresher).  The target area is therefore White and Yellow standard courses.  The content will include map setting and maintaining map orientation (without a compass), map colours and symbols, and navigation around a network of paths.  

The coaching start and finish will be close to the main start (it's a small area) with exact location to be advised once I have planned the session on Phil Kirk's new map.  I want to start the session at 10:00am prompt so that people have time to complete it before attempting one of the Saturday courses.  If you would like to take part or have a group of juniors that you intent bringing please email me at coaching@octavian-droobers.org by 13th January so I can accommodate everyone.  There will be a £1 charge to cover map costs.

Andy Emmerson

For event details see the Event Calendar.

Saturday 12th January 2013 - Pooley Fields

The Pooley Fields session will be based entirely on the slopes around the central mound that dominates the Country Park.  It will include aspects of contouring, catching features, attack points and vegetation interpretation.  It is therefore suited to those who are either progressing to Orange standard or who would like to practice aspects of their "O" technique outside of competition.   There are many club members who could find value in this coaching session but probably not those who are already comfortable navigating TD5 courses on challenging terrain.  Please note that this session will not be suitable either for beginners or for younger juniors, partly because of the terrain and partly because of the type of exercises planned.  If anyone is interested but unsure of the suitability please contact me in advance to discuss.

The coaching start and finish will be close to and visible from the main event start.  For those familiar with Pooley Fields, walk under the motorway, across the canal bridge and a banner will be visible near the base of the central mound about 100m to the NE.  I want to start the session at 10:00am prompt so that people have time to complete it before attempting one of Graham Urquhart's Saturday courses.  If you would like to take part please email me at coaching@octavian-droobers.org in the next few days so I can accommodate you.  There will be a £1 charge to cover map costs.

Andy Emmerson

For event details see the Event Calendar.

Saturday 17th November 2012 - Abbey Fields & Kenilworth Castle

A coaching session organised by Chris Mackenzie and Amy Sarkies will run in parallel with this event .

Coaching session will start at 10:15
Cost - £1 to cover coaching maps
Email C.T.Mackenzie@Warwick.ac.uk to attend or just turn up on the day (subject to maps).
If there is high demand there will be an early and late session and maps will be re-used.

Skills: Following on from compass work using aiming off, attack points, simplification, and an opportunity to try map memory.

For event details see the Event Calendar.

Saturday 3rd November 2012 - Borough Hill, Daventry

Jill and Andy Emmerson are running a coaching session commencing at 10 am.

Andy can be contacted at coach@octavian-droobers.org

For event details see the Event Calendar.

Saturday 13th October 2012 - University of Warwick

Mark Beverley is running a coaching session in parallel with the event which will be aimed at helping people interpret the map and learn the skills needed to navigate around clusters of buildings when frequent changes of direction can cause confusion and cost time.  The coaching is in a small, intricate area with 3 short course variations on offer. 

People can turn up on the day but it would help if anyone who would like to spend some time with Mark could email him at markbev.10@gmail.com ASAP so he can try to accommodate everyone.

Saturday 15th September 2012

At Brueton Park, Solihull, Thelma Spalton will be providing coaching from 10:00 to 10:45 for newcomers to the sport.

It will cover some basic orienteering techniques such as:

• Orientating the map
• Map symbols and colours including a map walk
• Compass bearings
• Pacing
   

Please contact Thelma in advance by email if you are interested.

In addition, following on from the coaching session Thelma would be willing to shadow one or two people on a course if she had a request for this.

For event details see the Event Calendar.