Well done to the four members of NGOC who were recognised by British Orienteering at the 2022 Volunteer Awards. We had two winners and two runners-up, all thoroughly deserved – well done all!
Bonington Trophy (for long-term contribution to mapping) winner: Greg Best
Greg has developed from a novice mapper in 2009 to a committed, enthusiastic and dedicated mapper today. Not content with maintaining and updating North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club’s library of maps, he continuously identifies and maps new areas suitable for orienteering at a range of competitive levels – including national level – negotiating with landowners for access and planning/organising the first events on the new maps. He mapped the area used in the highly successful British Night Championships this year (Cleeve Hill near Cheltenham). He embraces the latest technology in his mapping (LIDAR, GPS, OCAD vegetation base map), devoting what spare time he has from running his business in striving to make the most accurate maps. He performed these tasks while acting in other roles in the club including…club captain 2009-16, fixtures secretary, permissions officer, and regular event organiser/planner/controller). The club now has 11 brand new areas plus the total re-mapping from scratch of five old favourites.
Development & Innovation Award joint winner: Pat Macleod
Pat won this award jointly with Peter Effeney from Australia, who developed the MapRun app: this made a fantastic difference to the way orienteering can be accessed by members and the public. MapRun’s interest and use rocketed during the periods of lockdown, when clubs planned ‘virtual’ courses for members to run in their own time.
Pat is the UK MapRun Manager who has worked tirelessly, providing fantastic support to club MapRun administrators. Pat has given so much of his time and enthusiasm to helping set up structures and courses for us to enjoy. The adaptability of MapRun has resulted in it being used in many ways, from urban leagues to mountain races.
Continued Contribution to Orienteering runner-up: Carol Stewart
Carol should be recognised for her decades of service as Treasurer on the North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club committee. Carol’s careful stewardship has ensured club solvency while enabling the club to invest in the latest innovations in the sport. Carol is a dedicated and dependable constant volunteer at all our events, where she runs registration. Carol is the first point of contact and face of the club for new orienteers and initiated, stocks, and runs the club tea tent for post-event sustenance. Although largely retired from active orienteering, Carol still turns out to represent and compete for the club when it counts (i.e. CompassSport Cup) as a W80.
Young Volunteer of the Year runner-up: Rose Taylor
Although only W16, Rose is an example to not just the young people in her club, she is an ambassador for the sport to us all. Rose consistently volunteers at all club events for example working with her parents to plan and control a North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club League Event. Her high standards along with her unfailingly passionate, enthusiastic, and energetic character mean she is a fantastic role model for other youngsters and enables her to get alongside and shadow junior orienteers to help them build their confidence in going out by themselves, and inspiring them to take up orienteering as a sport. This nurturing role is so important for developing the talent pipeline.