Sporting Schools is all about fostering a lifelong interest in sport among Australian children. By building the relationship between schools and sports, Sporting Schools will see more children take part in sport based activities - and develop healthy habits to last a lifetime.
Schools, coaches and sporting organisations across Australia can join the programme via the Sporting Schools website.
Orienteering Australia Sporting Schools Information can be found here
Why offer orienteering at my school?
Orienteering is part treasure hunt, part amazing race. Students use a specially prepared map to navigate their way to a number of checkpoints. They go at their own pace, usually on their own but sometimes in pairs or small groups. Everyone is part of the action, no one is left 'on the bench'. Often called "The Thought Sport", orienteering appeals to a wide range of students, not just the 'sporty types'.
Orienteering is both a sport and a recreational activity enjoyed by people from age 5 to 95. It is the ideal family sport. Participants are of all fitness levels as they can walk, jog or run around their course. Orienteering can be done in schools, parks, around the streets or in the bush. Students who learn orienteering at school are offered a sport for life!
How do I get started?
1. First you will need a specially prepared map
The map will cost from $250 - $800 depending on the complexity of your school. The average cost is $400 excl GST. Orienteering Qld has grants of $200 - $400 are available to help with the cost of your map. Please contact sportingschools.oq@gmail.com for more information on mapping your school.
This is an extract from a typical orienteering map of a school. Notice the detail of all the features. Maps are usually between 1:1000 to 1:4000 in scale and special attention is given to buildings (dark grey), undercover areas (light grey), man made features like bins and chairs (black x) and distinct trees (green circles). Orienteering maps always show magnetic north, however using a compass is a more advanced topic that isn't covered in the sporting schools program - instead, it's preferred that the map is oriented according to the features you can see.
2. You will need a coach
Option 1: A teacher from your school attends a Level 0 Coaching Course.
Level 0 courses are run several times a year. It is a 4 hour course which costs $66 (incl GST), including pdf copy of "Orienteering Games" and a hard copy of 'Elementary Orienteering Instructor's Handbook' which will give you the skills and confidence to run orienteering sessions in your school. Contact sportingschools.oq@gmail.com for more information on Coaching Accreditation.
Option 2: Orienteering Qld provides a coach.
Contact us with your location and preferred time slot and we will endeavour to provide a coach for your school. While we will do our best to fulfil your request, it is not possible for us to service all areas of Queensland. Please email sportingschools.oq@gmail.com with your request.
Cost
Cost of an Orienteering Coach to come to your school: Costs will depend on the number of sessions and the number of classes involved. The typical cost for an Orienteering Coach to come to your school and run a 4 week program of single sessions (45-60 mins each) is approximately $650 (excl GST). For two sessions (same day) per week for 4 weeks, the fee is $970. Please contact sportingschools.oq@gmail.com for a quote to meet your needs.
3. You will need equipment.
See Lesson Plans and Resources
Got more questions?
For all enquiries please email sportingschools.oq@gmail.com
