Junior News
Huge Congratulations to Team SO for winning 3rd place trophy at YBT final
Our Junior Team put in a fantastic performance at the Yvette Baker Trophy final last Sunday and came away with the 3rd place trophy.
It was a fantastic occasion, including clubs from across the country. Our juniors enjoyed competing on a huge maze, squirting and knocking down cans on a tin can alley, creating wool mementos, eating burgers and ice creams, as well as the main competition of course!
Final YBT results can be found here.
Sun, Skills, and S’mores: SO Junior Camp 2025 at Knowlands Wood
Over the weekend of 28–29 June 2025, ten of our enthusiastic juniors, aged 9 to 17, took part in the SO Junior Camp at Knowlands Wood - and what a weekend it was! With glorious hot weather, plenty of outdoor adventure, and a strong team spirit, the camp was a fantastic success.
Tents were pitched in the meadow and the forest came alive with laughter, training, and the smell of campfire cooking. Despite the heat, the juniors tackled a full programme of orienteering training.
SE Sprint Champs
Another medal haul at the South East Sprint Champs which took place over two complex races at Brunel University in June.
Gold Lucas Waters M10-12
Gold Emma Chapman W14-16
Gold Ben Chapman M14-16
Gold Anna Chapman W45-55
Gold Neil Crickmore M60-65
Silver Emily Waters W14-16
Silver Will Heap M45-55
Silver Jasmine Bennett W70+
SO are British Champions in Women's Short Relay 2025
What a stunning day in the Lake District in May! The sun was out in full force over Bigland as Southdowns Orienteers took on the British Orienteering Championships relay day. With breathtaking views all around, spirits were high.
The terrain didn’t make it easy! A steep run-in and some truly testing courses made for an unforgettable challenge. A huge shoutout to all our runners, and a very special congratulations to Scarlet, Emma and Heather—our gold medal winners in the Women’s Short category! You did us proud!
British Long Champs 2025
More than 24 SO club members travelled to the Lake District to take part in the British Long Distance Championships. They were treated to a beautiful sunny day at Grizedale, Cumbria for the individual races. Courses were long and challenging - congratulations to all finishers!
Special mention to our medal winners:
Roger - Gold M85
Emma - Silver W14A
Vince - Bronze M70L
Southdowners reap rewards at JK2025 Festival of Orienteering over Easter
The Easter bank holiday weekend is always the time for the JK International Festival of Orienteering. This year it took place in South Yorkshire and many club members took part. Our notable results at the Sprints were Roger Maher M85 Silver, Emma Chapman W14 Bronze and Mark Johnson M10 Bronze. For the overall two day competition Roger Maher M85 Gold and Emma Chapman W14 Bronze. James Curtis showed great skill in the Trail-O and claimed top spot in the juniors. For the relays the Men's Short team won silver and the Women's short team got bronze.