Introducing our sport to newcomers: AIRE Introductory Series (Beckett Park)

What was your core goal in setting up the introductory series to help attract newcomers?

While we cater for beginners at Regional Events we felt these can be a little difficult for newcomers and wanted to do something totally aimed at newcomers and novice orienteers. Our JDO (Junior Development Officer) has been very successful in providing sessions in primary schools so we wanted to provide a natural progression where children that had attended those sessions could “come and try it.” As they progress we also combine junior coaching with these events. We also want to give an option for ‘Park run’ background adults to have a go. So we always offer a longer course option. Parkland venues are chosen so suitable courses can be planned in a safe environment.

Can you tell us more about who you would encourage to take part?

The events are aimed at any newcomers to Orienteering; children, families, students or adults. This event was located such that was very close to Leeds University, so that it would be a good introductory event for new LUUOC (Leeds University Union Orienteering Club) members. We have a few short (1km) courses, a medium (2.5km) course and a long (4km) course on offer, so there is something appropriate for all. Children, with parents in tow, tend to run multiple of our short courses; and adult beginners tend to opt for the long if they are a confident runner.

Where did you advertise the event?

The event was advertised on our website, Instagram and Facebook. It was also shared to local Facebook community groups, and local running clubs in an effort to engage with locals who might not know about orienteering. And our JDO (Junior Development Officer) emails school contacts local to the area.

Does it cost anything to come and attend the events?

It is £1 for your first course, then any additional courses are free.

What time do they usually run from/until?

Events are open from 1pm-2:30pm so runners can come and run as many times as they like during that period.

How many people did this event attract?

We had 34 runners, the majority of whom were complete newcomers to the sport. Many of these ran multiple courses. We’ve been known to have up to 60 attendees at our most popular introductory events.

Can you give us a brief overview of what a newcomer/beginner can expect when they show up to an introductory event?

You will find us by the Aire feather (banner), in a little green tent. You will be greeted by a lovely Aire helper, who will help you register. We need to collect your name, and an emergency contact for safety purposes. You will be given a dibber (electronic timing chip), and a map. An Aire helper will be on hand to explain the basics of orienteering before you set off on a course. When you are ready you will clear your dibber (to wipe its memory) and then ‘dib’ the start. Then you are off on your course! When you complete your course you will be greeted by an Aire helper to check how you got on. Then you will go back to the little green tent to download your dibber (this downloads the information from your dibber about where, and in what time, you have been. We use this to make the results). You can then get a new map for a different course, or you can hand your dibber back in and go home.

Is there any information you share with people post event? (E.g. encourage them to follow you on social media/sign up to the club/visit your website etc).

We have business cards (with links to our social media and website), and a flyer detailing our events coming up, available for people to take at download. We also publish the results as soon as possible and sharing them on social media, linking back to the website.

In your opinion, what would help attract more newcomers to your particular club?

We are trying to have a more active publicity drive for all events, in the hope that the more people who find out about the club, and the sport, the more will try it at events like these, and might get hooked. In general we try to be welcoming, friendly, and helpful; understanding that orienteering can be a strange, and complicated sport to get in to.

What's coming up next for people interested in getting involved?

The next two introductory events we are holding at the same venue as an upcoming Regional event (circa 1 month gap). So we hope that for very local people having an opportunity to attend a regional very swiftly after the Intro will be a helpful route to develop in the sport.

____________________________________________________________________________

To learn more about Airienteers upcoming events, please visit their website which also includes details of their current permanent orienteering courses which you can take advantage of anytime. You can also give them a follow on Instagram, Facebook and X.