The West Midlander

The West Midlander Winter 2016
The big event for 2016 is the British Championships. One third of any surplus will go to the
region, with about £1500 being retained by WMOA and remaining surplus being divided
between the clubs. (This is not an event to which normal levy is applied).
There are no other major events in the region next year and income from standard levies is
anticipated to be about £1500. All other costs and expenses are predicted to remain the same
and the budgeted position is to break even.
9. West Midlands Junior Squad Report - Mel Elkington.
The Junior Inter Regionals in the NWOA took place on the weekend of 27/28 September. The
team comprised Aimee Morse, Gemma Cairns Smith, Rhiannon Cope, Heather Craig, Ellie
Bales, Stephen Elkington, Nathan Lawson, Harrison McCartney, Will Heaton, Alfie Bullus and
Ewan Lloyd. They were very impressive in both their behaviour and the way they tackled some
very challenging courses. The courses are at the top end of the range of difficulty for the colour.
Both Iain Embrey and Mel attended the Junior Regional Orienteering Squads AGM on behalf
of the West Midlands Junior Squad in Hathersage on the 8 November 2014.
The annual trip to Hawkshead took place on the 28/29/30 November for Matt Hartland,
Gemma Cairns Smith, Heather Rogers, Heather Craig, Holly Hughes and Ellie Bales. The
coaches were Iain Embrey, Mel Elkington, Matt Elkington and Nathan Lawson. This was yet
again an outstanding weekend of training at TD5. Those that attended benefitted hugely….
They trained on Bishops Wood and Holme Fell on the Saturday followed by Dale Park on the
Sunday.
The squad currently has three members that are part of the GB Talent Squad - Julie
Emmerson, Harrison McCartney and Nathan Lawson.
Harrison McCartney was been selected for EYOC, a pre-JWOC training session in Switzerland
and although selected to attend a JROS Summer tour did not attend. Julie Emmerson and
Matt Elkington were both been selected for JWOC and gained valuable experience of
competing in Norway. Julie was selected and ran at a World Cup race in July. Nathan Lawson
was been selected for the GB Talent Squad training week.
Further down the squad no one was selected for Lagganlia or Deeside this year as there were
no athletes with any Championship Standards. Matt Hartland did accompany the World
Schools England Team - his team were up against some very tough Swedish and French
opposition and they did well considering.
Next year Kirsten Strain will take on some of the coaching. If each club will run a training day
for the squad this would greatly enhance the squad’s training experience.
The squad needs someone to take on the Junior Squad fundraising as JIRCS is in Aberdeen
next year and will need approximately £6000 to fund going to the competition. Also, another
volunteer to take charge of the Junior squad kit, store it and then ensure every member has an
‘O’ top.
B. Elkington confirmed that the maximum JIRCS team size would be 24.
10. Other Reports: None.
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