Published 16th July 2023

On Sunday 9th July SYO hosted the final of the Yvette Baker Trophy at Sandall Beat. Hundreds of juniors from around the country descended on Doncaster for a fantastic day of competition. Proceedings kicked off with a team parade and then it was time to head out into the forest. Courses were fast and tricky and competition was tough but SYO's strength and depth showed through, allowing us to retain the trophy for another year!  Well done to all the juniors who competed on behalf of SYO - you all played your part. Particular congratulations to our 9 counters - James Bryant, Lawrence Hodgson, Maxwell Groom, Charlotte Chapman, Ella Baxter, Zac Garratt, Adrian Snowton, Alex Cadman and Hannah Chapman. 

A huge thank you to the key officials - Jacky, Susan, Henry and Brian Slater of HALO and all the many helpers on the day itself.

Published 1st July 2023

There was a fabulous turnout to the 2022/23 Saturday Series at Millhouses Park last Saturday. Well done to all those that ran in the scorching temperatures and a huge thank you to our merry band of volunteers who kept smiling throughout despite the heat! The orienteering was followed by the prize-giving for the SFSS Schools’ League and the SYO adults’ league. GB orienteers Jonny Crickmore, Chloe Potter and Imogen Pieters were on hand to present the prizes. The primary school category was won by Hunters Bar, closely followed by Nethergreen in 2^nd and Ecclesall in 3^rd. In the secondary school category, High Storrs lifted the trophy with 2^nd place going to King Edwards and Tapton in 3^rd.

Medals were presented to the top 3 in each age class and certificates were given to all those that did 5 or more events. Congratulations to:

G4 1^st Eliza-Blue, 2^nd = Esther, 2^nd = Phoebe
B4 1^st Edwin, 2^nd = Joseph, 2^nd = Vincent
G5 1^st Ellie, 2^nd Lucy, 3^rd Emily
B5 1^st Zac, 2^nd Alex, 3^rd Oscar
G6 1^st Beau, 2^nd Eliza, 3^rd Aneesa
B6 1^st = Louis, 1^st = Alex, 3^rd = Jack, 3^rd = Jasper
G7 1^st Sophie, 2^nd Lucy-Laura, 3^rd= Anna, 3^rd = Hannah
B7 1^st Freddie, 2^nd Nathan, 3^rd Jack
G8/9 1^st = Beth, 1^st = Ella, 3^rd Penny
B8/9 1^st Lawrence, 2^nd Will, 3^rd Pasco
G10/11 – 1^st Freya, 2^nd Lotte, 3^rd Ciara
B10/11 – 1^st Evan, 2^nd James, 3^rd Caspar
B12/13 – 1^st Dylan, 2^nd Euan, 3^rd Joseph

The winning year group teams won chocolates and we also recognised the dedication of those that attended all 9 events in the series with prizes! In the hotly contested adults’ league, Adrien Gallet took the honours in the male category, while Kim Baxter scooped the female prize. A huge thank you to everyone that came and supported the prize-giving and to the hundreds of volunteers that made this years’ Saturday Series so successful.

Published 12th May 2023

Over the Coronation weekend, a dedicated band of SYO members travelled to Northern Ireland to take part in the British Sprint and Middle Champs. We were treated to sunny skies, friendly people, stunning scenery and excellent courses.

The Sprint Champs were held in Armagh, where 5 SYOers were crowned British Champion. Congratulations to Martha (W10), Hannah (W12), Ella (W14), Oscar (M16) and Nick B (M45). Well done also to our 5 silver medallists: Alice (W14), Freya (W16), Laura R (W21Elite), Kim (W45) and Bill E (M55) and our 4 bronze medallists: Stanley (M12), Robbie (M16), Dave P (M55) and Janet (W60).

On Sunday the action switched to the British Middles at Drumkeeragh. We were treated to a stunning assembly area and a tough technical forest. We went one better than the day before, with 6 SYO members crowned British Champion. Congratulations to: Martha (W10), Hannah (W12), Ella (W14), Freya (W16), Jenny P (W55) and Nick B (M45). Well done also to our 7 silver medallists: Sophie (W12), Will (M14), Charlotte (W14) Oscar (M16), Laura R (W21Elite), Kim (W45) and Bill E (M55) and our 5 bronze medallists: Jack W (M12), Maxwell (M14), Robbie (M16), Pete T (M45) and Martin (M55).

Published 2nd May 2023

Over the Easter weekend over 100 club members travelled to the Lakes for the 4 day JK orienteering competition. First up was the sprint race at Lancaster University, where competitors enjoyed fast and furious racing in glorious sunshine. SYO took 10 podium places. Congratulations to Zac Garrat (M10), Oli Johnson (M45) , Hannah Chapman (W12) and Ella Baxter (W14) who were all crowned JK sprint champion. Well done also to our 3 silver medallists: Jonny Crickmore (M21 Elite), Imogen Pieters (W18 Elite) and Laura Goy (W40) and our 3 bronze medallists: Lucy Holt (W10), Peter Gorvett (M75) and Lawrence Hodgson (M14).  We also had winners on the shorter courses, with Yeliena Petrovska (W20S), Lesley Ward (W50S) and Mark Chapman (M55S) winning their course.

On Saturday it was the turn of the middle distance race at High Dam. The fells were bathed in glorious sunshine and there were fabulous views from the assembly area of the competitors racing into the finish. The action switched to Bigland on day 3 for the long distance race. Courses were very physically and technically demanding with the majority of courses finishing with very tricky controls on a steep rocky slope. Times for the 2 races are added together to determine the overall medallists. Congratulations to our 3 JK champions: Imogen Pieters (W18 Elite), Euan Tryner (M20E) and Peter Gorvett (M75). Well done also to 4 silver medallists: Hannah Chapman (W12), Freya Tryner (W16), Kim Baxter (W45) and Jenny Peel (W55) and our 4 bronze medallists: Louis Bryant (M12), James Bryant (M16), Nick Barrable (M45) and Lucy Holt (W10).  We also had winners on the shorter courses, with Yeliena Petrovska (W20S), Lesley Ward (W50S) and Mark Chapman (M55S) winning their course.

The 4^th and final day of competition was held at Dale Park, where it was the turn of the relays. We woke to torrential rain but despite the rather overcast conditions, the rain mostly held off until just after the prize giving. It was a great day at the office for SYO with 11 podium positions. Our juniors dominated their classes. In the mini relay the BEElieve team of Louis, Stanley and Hannah lifted the trophy with the Busy BEEs (Lucy, Zac and Jago) closely behind in silver medal position. In the Junior relay the BEEkeepers (Will, Sophie and Maxwell) raced round to take gold, while it was a dead heat for team BEEware (Oskar, Jack B and Freddie) in a race with LOC for 3^rd place. In the Intermediate women’s race, Freya, Ella and Anna all recorded the fastest leg times to bring BEEyonce into gold medal position.  Team BEEtboxers (Oscar, Caspar and James) also took gold in  the Intermediate men’s race.

Our adult teams also had a very successful day of racing. Team BEEhemoths (Martin, Charlie & Dave P) lifted the Veteran men’s title and team BEEaujolis (Lucy, Bronwen & Jenny P) grabbed silver. The men’s and women’s Senior relay teams – BEEr Garden (Andy, Pete and Nick B) and BEEhives (Jenny J, Jenny L and Kim) - both took the bronze medal; while our women’s trophy team of Chloe, Pippa and Imogen raced round to take the silver medal.

A huge thank you to the NWOA for putting on a truely fabulous weekend of racing. Next year's JK is in the Midlands in its normal Easter slot. Hope to see you there!