Three Rock Orienteering Club

The Rocket

April, 2001Editor: Eoin DunneNewsletter No. 31

Waiting for the end of Foot and Mouth disease!

Following the detection of the first case of Foot & Mouth in this country, the prospects of any early return to orienteering were dealt a swift blow. As I am sure you are aware, all orienteering events have been cancelled until further notice and people are asked not to visit farmlands or forest parks. While this may seriously impinge on our outdoor activities, I know everyone will empathise with those whose livelihoods have been threatened. In particular, we should think of the farmers who have given us access to their land for events in the Carlingford area. Anyone who went to the Leinster Champs last year will surely have remembered the sight of the lambs skipping about near the car park. At this time, we can only offer our thoughts and prayers to Mr. McKenna, the owner of that land and others similarly affected and hope that the disease will pass, and quickly.

A quarter-century of orienteering!

At the recent 3ROC AGM, outgoing chairman Brendan McGrath described how the club was now in its 25th year of existence. During this time, 3ROC has provided quality events to thousands of people. The club held eight events in 2000 which is good when one considers the small number of active members. Brendan noted that members are showing their commitment to the sport by attending various courses and that the new Pine Forest map will hopefully revive mapping in 3ROC. However, the membership is getting older and to survive, the club must attract younger people. On a broader front, Brendan commented that it remains to be seen how the IOA strategic plan will work given its inclusion of alternative events such as mountain-biking and ski-O.

The draft of the new constitution was presented at the AGM and following a number of amendments and corrections, the floor voted unanimously in favour of its adaptation. The new constitution now includes a clause on ethics and good practise for the protection of children which is deemed essential for sports involving juniors. Brendan McGrath gave a word of thanks to the working group of Harold White, Claire Walsh and Ted McGrath for their efforts in drafting the new constitution.

Treasurer Nigel Campbell Crawford reported that during 2000, the club made a loss of £182.60. This was attributed to the significant expenditure on equipment and software. The balances in the clubs accounts was put at £402.79 (current account) and £9171.64 (mapping account).

The 3ROC Committee for 2001

After many years of hard work, Monica Nowlan steps down for a well-earned break. This leaves the new committee looking something like this:

At the moment, the position of Club Captain remains vacant. Anyone interested in this position can contact either myself or Brendan McGrath for further details.

Club shorts

A special welcome to new members Rory Neary, the Hayden family and the Walsh family. Let's hope you'll all be able to come out orienteering as soon as things return to normal.

Congrats to Julie Cleary who retained her W35L British Night-O title last February. Not to be left in the dark (literally), hubby Ronan took the M40S title at the same event. As F&M rages through Britain, Julie and Ronan could be left with their titles for some time to come.

It was back to school for several club members at the recent orienteering courses organised by the IOA. The first one took place in De La Salle Churchtown and examined the SportIdent and Wincacas packages. The second was down in Avondale and looked at mapping and O-Cad. Fired with enthusiasm, everyone was going to start using this technology until F&M pulled the rug from under us. Many thanks however are due to Brendan Cryan for providing the use of the De La Salle computer facilities.

Several 3ROC faces were to be seen behind the scenes at the recent Student O-Champs up in Carlingford. Liam Convery was Planner while Harold White took on the task of Controller (although the DUO web page credits it to Liam White!!). Ger Ryan and Hazel Convery were Organisers and the whole thing seems to have been a great success.

Now that orienteering is on hold, this might be a good time to evaluate your orienteering wardrobe. Has that O-top rolled down the Sugarloaf a few times? Have your leggings been dragged through every gorse bush in Wicklow? If so then you should contact Áine Ni Shúilleabháin (288 8873) who stocks a selection of our fabulous O-tops and leggings with prices starting from as little as £10. An absolute bargain!

2001 membership fees are now due

Membership subs for 2001 are now due. Please note the new rates for which you get an annual subscription to the TIO, regular copies of the Rocket, reduced entry fees at events, training, social events, etc, etc:

Senior - £10

Family - £15

Junior/student - £5

Please send in your subs to: Three Rock Orienteering Club,

c/o Nigel Campbell-Crawford,

13 Stamer Street,

Portabello,

Dublin 8.

Make sure that cheques/postal orders are made payable to Three Rock Orienteering Club. Please do it today!

Looking for action? Go Orienteering Training!

So you can't go orienteering, hill walking or even take a stroll in the park. Well what does that leave? Training of course. From April 2nd, Lindie Naughton & Co. will be training in UCD on Mondays and Thursdays at 6.30pm. Meet at the car park beside the track. If you're feeling a little out of shape then sign up for the Meet and Train group which is being coached by Nadya Hutchinson. This is intended for woman taking part in the Tesco Mini-Marathon (if it goes ahead) and takes place at the same time as regular training.

Have you any news for the Rocket? If so then please pass it on, I'd be most grateful. Thanks to all the people who sent me information for this issue. Splutters of indignation to those of you who didn't. See you at the AGM.

Eoin