South Yorkshire Orienteers (SYO) have 300 members ranging in age from 5 to 85. There is a wide range of ability and experience within the club from beginners to elite orienteers, who represent Great Britain all over the world. We offer a friendly and informal welcome to the sport - supporting adult and junior beginners and more seasoned orienteers alike with coaching and a programme of regular events.
South Yorkshire Orienteers is member of the Yorkshire and Humberside Orienteering Association (YHOA) and British Orienteering.
We run a club night on Wednesday evenings in term-time and 2-3 events of varying type each month:
- Saturday afternoon schools and newcomer series
- Wednesday evening events & socials linked in to our Club Nights
- Sunday regional and national events (Level C & above)
Some of our newer members have said:
“The great thing about orienteering is that as a family we can all compete at our own level and work on our own goals.”
“One to one support is really nice - you've been really encouraging and helpful to us.”
“The children really like the whole club thing - the BBQs, the socials, the club champs, the great club kit and the atmosphere at the big events.”
“I really benefit from the regular coaching sessions.”
Click on the image below to download our flyer about the club.
The club is one of the most successful in the country. In 2014 and 2018 we were awarded club of the year by the sport’s National Body for our outstanding contribution to the provision and development of orienteering. We have finished in the top 2 of the CompassSport Cup inter-club competition almost every year since 2008 and have several British Champions amongst our membership. Some of our junior members train with the Yorkshire and Humberside Junior Squad and GB Talent Squad.
Many members of the club represent or have represented Great Britain in International Competition.
The club provides regular events in the South Yorkshire region and coaching / training sessions, sometimes with the University orienteering club ShUOC. New members are always welcome and enquiries should made through our contact form. Please feel free to come along and give orienteering a go at one of our events or training sessions (see fixtures page) before joining up.
Many SYO members also train and race with local running clubs particularly Dark Peak Fell Runners and Hallamshire Harriers.
We seek to make orienteering enjoyable and safe for all participants. The club achieved Clubmark status in 2007. For the benefit of all our members we work within the Health and Safety guidelines laid down by British Orienteering.
We take our duty of care seriously and seek to ensure that children and vulnerable adults have fun, learn and develop and to help us in this aim we have adopted and promote The British Orienteering policy on Protecting Young and Vulnerable People. We have codes of conduct for Officials and Volunteers, Parents and juniors.
We wish to be an inclusive club and seek to make sure that orienteering is an activity open to anyone who wishes to take part in whatever role. We support British Orienteering's Equality and Inclusion policy.