Newcastle tops State League
The 2025 State League competition concluded on 13/14 September with the NSW Middle & Long Champs held near Uralla. Newcastle finished on top of the NSW Interclub table and had thirty three placegetters in the individual OY competition.
The Interclub Competition awards 5 points for an age class win, down to 1 point for fifth place. Newcastle finished well ahead of the other thirteen clubs on 1592 points, with Western and Hills Orienteers second on 983 and Garingal Orienteers third on 913. Seven club members were NSW Orienteer of the Year age A class winners. The OY pointscore counted competitors’ best eight results from this year’s fifteen State League events.
NSW Orienteer of the Year Placegetters
First: Lucy Jenkins (W10A), Felix Preston (M10A), Hannah Stafford (W12A), Baxter Peel (M14A), Justin Stafford (M40A), Jennifer Enderby (W55A), Jim Lee (M75A). Nathan Berkholz (M21AS), Naomi Scouller (W35AS), Caroline Jenkins (W45AS), Shane Jenkins (M45AS), Peter Orr (M65AS), Clare Newton (WOpenB).
Second: Koen Stafford (M10A), Samantha Howe (W45A), Greg Newton (M50A), Carolyn Matthews (W60A), Carolyn Chalmers (W80A). Sally-Anne Todkill (W21AS), Bronwyn Stafford (W35AS), Carolyn Rigby (W65AS).
Third: Alyse Newton (W10A), Carl O'Connor (M12A), Isobel Newton (W14A), Peter Preston (M40A), Martina Craig (W55A), Scott Simson (M55A), Gayle Quantock (W60A), Glenn Burgess (M60A), Graham Fowler (M80A). Sally Quill (W35AS), Maria Orr (W55AS), Viola O'Connor (W65AS).
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2025 Hunter Schools Championships
After the disappointment of the postponement, it was great to see the weather cooperate and Speers Point Park turned on ideal weather for the Schools Champs.
Competitor numbers continue to increase, with another strong representation from Irrawang High. Many beginners successfully ran alongside our younger club members and more established junior orienteers. The performance of several of our less experienced orienteers was also quite pleasing, showing their development is progressing well. Another positive from the day was the participation of the novices and many vowed to return again next year. Results were impressive with only one misspunch on the line course and only three students who exceeded the time limit on the score course.
Congratulations to individual champions Isobel Newton (Kotara High) and Baxter Peel (Merewether High), and champion school was Irrawang High School.
Thank you to our club volunteers who made the day possible.
Course Planner: Geoff Todkill, Vetter: Graham Fowler; Organiser: Warren Quilty; Day Helpers: Geoff & Margaret Peel, Carolyn Rigby, Peter & Maria Orr, Jeff Guy, Bronwyn Stafford, Cheryle Todkill, Nicole Haigh, Clare Newton; Road Marshalls: Naomi Scouller, Brad Cox; Control Collection: Peter & Maria Orr, Naomi Scouller, Bronwyn Stafford, Nicole Haigh, Brad Cox.
Results from State Middle & Long Champs
The weekend of 13/14 September saw over 200 orienteers compete in the NSW Middle & Long Distance Championships on part of the "Glenburnie" map, southwest of Uralla. The area, originally mapped for last year's Australian Championships, featured extensive granite rock. Fallen trees and branches from unprecidented winter snowfalls added to the physical challenge in parts, particularly on Saturday's middle. Sunday's long distance offered faster running. Newcastle had twenty four club members make the podium on one or both days, including eleven firsts in the A classes.
Newcastle’s champions in Saturday’s Middle Distance were Baxter Peel (M14A), Erika Enderby (W21A), Justin Stafford (M40A), Jennifer Enderby (W55A), Gayle Quantock (W60A) & Jim Lee (M75A). Caroline Jenkins (W45AS).
Topping their classes in Sunday’s Long Distance champs were Erika Enderby (W21A), Justin Stafford (M40A), Jennifer Enderby (W55A), Stephen Craig (M55A) & Glenn Burgess (M60A). Caroline Jenkins (W45AS), Shane Jenkins (M45AS) & Clare Newton (WOpenB).
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Newcastle medals from Aus MTBO Champs
Three Newcastle orienteers took the long journey to WA to compete in the 2025 Australian Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships Carnival, held 5-7 September around Collie south of Perth. Presley Scouller-Evans, Andrew Power and Robert Prentice rode in four races with all three picking up medals.
Mass Start Event: Gold - Presley Scouller-Evans (M14A).
Middle distance: Gold - Presley Scouller-Evans (M16A), Robert Prentice (M70A). Bronze - Andrew Power (M60A).
Sprint: Gold - Presley Scouller-Evans (M16A), Andrew Power (M60A). Silver - Robert Prentice (M70A).
Long distance: Silver - Presley Scouller-Evans (M14A), Robert Prentice (M70A).
Full Results: Mass start Middle Sprint Long
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N
ewcastle Orienteer of the Year series wraps up
The 2025 Newcastle Orienteer of the Year series class winners were decided on Sunday 7 September with the last event, NOY 8, on the "Little Burkes Creek" map northwest of Killingworth. Around ninety orienteers enjoyed courses set by Geoff Todkill. The 2025 NOY trophies, which are awarded to the leading male & female in the Hard Long class, were won by first time winner Justin Stafford and defending champion Erika Enderby.
Placegetters in each NOY class for 2025 were:
Very Easy: 1. Lucy Jenkins, 2. Alyse Newton, 3. Koen Stafford.
Easy: 1. Hayley Jenkins, 2. Hannah Stafford, 3. Carol Pearce.
Moderate Short: 1. Viola O'Connor, 2. Carl O'Connor, 3. Andrea Hackney.
Moderate Long: 1. Graeme Taplin, 2. Presley Scouller-Evans, 3. Trevor Wells.
Hard Short: 1. Rudi Landsiedel, =2. Graeme Hill, =2. Jim Lee.
Hard Medium: 1. Baxter Peel, 2. Andrew Haigh, 3. Glenn Burgess.
Hard Long: 1. Justin Stafford, 2. Alex Massey, 3. Stephen Craig.
Final 2025 NOY Series Pointscore
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