A group of Queensland’s top junior orienteer competitors are on the Southern Downs this week to take part in a training camp hosted by the local Bullecourt Bounders Orienteering Club.
Club publicity officer Liz Bourne said it promised to be an import event for the young athletes.
“Twenty-five juniors from across Southeast Queensland and the Darling Downs will be joined by nine coaches and a group of assistants,” she said.
The camp is designed to help the young Orienteers hone their skills volunteers.
ahead of the Queensland Schools Championships which will be held later this month.
Initially the group will be based in Warwick where they will be training on a variety of school maps.
They will then head to the Granite Belt where to complete two days of bush training, culminating in the Camp Championships on Sunday.
The championships will be held in the Lode Creek area East of Stanthorpe using a course designed by the Bullecourt Bounders club.
“There is an excellent mix of open grazing land with scattered granite areas providing for a range of courses from less complex for beginners to the more challenging tracks among the granite terrain suited to the more experienced competitors,” Bourne said.
“With the recent rain, running conditions will be wet and often boggy but that should not deter people from competing.”
Eight courses will be offered at Sunday’s event, including a short, easy course for beginners.
Club members will be available to assist newcomers to with basic map reading and navigational skills if required.
This is a sport that is growing in popularity with young people and the local club is also keen to see local participants at Sunday’s event.
Bourne said any young person keen to give Orienteering a try is very welcome.
Starts are scheduled from 9 -11am and the event can be accessed from the end of Lode Creek Road off the Sugarloaf Road.
Further information is available by calling (07 483 6374) or visiting the website www.oq.asn.au/event-calendar
