Each year the top 10 Orienteers in each age category are selected from across NZ at trials. This year, they were held in Golden Bay, where they were challenged by the complexity of the terrain and distracted by the beauty around them. Despite flight cancellations, and missing the first race, Cerys Findlow’s performance in the two races she was present for has secured her a place in the junior girls (under 15) category of this prestigious team.
This is the first opportunity for young orienteers to gain international experience and national recognition that they are among the best in the country in their respective age groups.
The team will travel to Armidale in NSW during the first week of the October school holidays. They will compete as individuals in the Australian National Orienteering Championships over the two weekends.
On the Tuesday–Thursday of the intervening week, the Australian National Schools Orienteering Champs are held. Each Australian state sends a team of 20 and NZ sends two equal teams of 20 each. Alongside competing as individuals against their Australian peers, points are accumulated by each team and the overall winning team is awarded the Southern Cross Junior Challenge Trophy. This has been won by NZ for the past 18 years (ever since the competition was inaugurated). We wish Cerys and her team mates all the best in bringing the trophy home for a 19th year.
