NOY 5
Sunday 6 July 2025 - Awaba
"Hawkemount"
The fifth event in the Newcastle Orienteer of the Year series on a recently updated version of the "Hawkemount" map, west of Awaba.
Seven courses to suit all orienteers, from 2.0km Very Easy up to 7.0km Hard. Newcomers welcome.
"The terrain varies from open runnable forest to low visibility vegetation regrowth. The map straddles the main ridgeline and as such the terrain is hilly. There is a large track network and sections of minor rock detail".
For details see the Bush Season Calendar
_________________________________________________________________________
2025 SL10 & SL11
19 / 20 July 2025 - Olney SF, Martinsville / Salt Ash 
State League Events 10 & 11
Newcastle Orienteers will be hosting NSW State League Events 10 & 11 over the weekend of 19/20 July.
Saturday afternoon will see Middle Distance courses set in a new area in the Watagans, "The Pines", mapped by Rob Vincent. Sunday morning will be a long awaited return to the vegetated sand dunes north of Stockton, with a Long Distance event on "Oakvale". Two days of quality orienteering with a full range of courses to suit all orienteers, including regular Newcastle event attendees and newcomers.
Pre-entries are required for official age categories and close Monday 14 July but there will be enter on the day courses available (limited to Very Easy, Easy, Moderate & Hard).
For details see the Bush Season Calendar
_________________________________________________________________________________
2025 Hunter Schools Champs
Tuesday 19 August 2025 - Speers Point
47th Hunter Schools Championships
"Speers Point Park"
The Hunter Schools Orienteering Championships are open to all primary and high school students and are contested in an open park environment (navigation and compass skills will still be required).
All individuals or teams of two complete two courses - Age Division Line Course (straight line distance of 1.4 km to 3 km from start to finish), and Open Score Course (30 minute time limit).
Closing date for entries is 12 August 2025.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Schools Team Selections 2025
Junior club members make NSW Schools Team
Several Newcastle juniors have been selected in the team to represent NSW at the Australian Schools Orienteering Championships to be held late September/early October in and around Brisbane, as part of the Australian Champs Carnival.
Isobel Newton will make her team debut in the Junior Girls, Baxter Peel will again join the Junior Boys, and seasoned Schools Team rep Rebecca Craig will run for NSW in the Senior Girls. Presley Scouller-Evans is a reserve for the Junior Boys team.
Isobel Newton will make her team debut in the Junior Girls, Baxter Peel will again join the Junior Boys, and seasoned Schools Team rep Rebecca Craig will run for NSW in the Senior Girls. Presley Scouller-Evans is a reserve for the Junior Boys team.
______________________________________________________________________________
Sprint Mapping
New IOF Sprint Mapping Guidelines
The International Orienteering Federation Map Commission have released a comprehensive guide titled “Best practices for sprint mapping May 2025”.
Although primarly aimed at mappers drawing sprint/urban standard maps, some of the graphical examples given will be of interest to those keen on understanding the complexities of sprint orienteering maps, in particular the way multilevel areas are mapped.
Whilst the document focuses on maps drawn under ISSprOM (International Specification for Sprint Orienteering Maps) some points are also relevant to ISOM standard forest maps, and also our Newcastle Street Standard mapping. ________________________________________________________________________________