Youth League 2019-2020

juniors, youth_league

Hertfordshire Orienteering Youth League 2019-2020

The 2019-2020 Youth League will start on the 5th October with the same basic structure and rules as last year.

For entries, it is also important that Youth League competitors use their group abbreviation (i.e. SAHS, BWP etc) in the club field on the event entry form even if they are HH members, so we can score their points  with minimal effort. They will still run free as Junior members of the club.

We will continue to allow juniors to run up (or down) a class and get a 15% time reduction (or 18% increment).  Experienced juniors who run for the club can be assumed to have permission to run out of class. Less experienced juniors should obtain permission to run out of class from Jacob, the training co-ordinator (Keith Marsden) or Youth co-ordinator (Frances Goldingay) and can be obtained retrospectively for running down.

The reduction for running up is to allow experienced juniors to tackle harder courses (important for their development) without suffering a competitive disadvantage. To run up, it is expected the juniors can competently finish their appropriate age class without assistance. If juniors do run as pairs / groups on a harder course they will score but will not get the time bonuses.

We have allowed the running down as Orange is too hard for older juniors starting off and they can benefit from running Yellow a couple of times. It is expected that they will just do until they are ready to tackle Orange.

We also have the parental / teacher competitions on Orange and Light Green and encourage any parent attending to run these. This year it is just an individual league, with 3 to score like the juniors but they will score points in the Maureen Webster Memorial Trophy for participation. They will need to use the club abbreviation when they enter, but if they are HH members will still qualify for the HH discount.

Any questions, or suggestions for improvements, please email Jacob.  The rules are detailed in full here…

Preliminary Youth League Events

  • 5th October, Heartwood, Sandridge
  • 2nd November, Ellenbrook Fields, Hatfield
  • 7th December, Verulamium Park, St Albans
  • 1st February, , Sherrardspark Wood, Welwyn Garden City
  • 7th March, Mardley Heath, Welwyn Garden City