There was no 6-day event this year and the focus of the Board has been on the sprint World Orienteering Championships (WOC). The 6-Day Company was responsible on behalf of British Orienteering and the Scottish Orienteering Association for the delivery of the event which took place in Edinburgh over the middle weekend of July. As well as the three championship race formats – individual sprint, mixed relay sprint and knock-out sprint – there was also a programme of events, the WOC Tour, for spectators.
An Event Director and Assistant Event Director along with a team of officials, some paid, others being volunteers, had been appointed by the 6-Day Company for the delivery of WOC and expertly managed the incredibly complicated task of putting on a world class event in the middle of a city. Another team composed mainly of Edinburgh based orienteers organised the WOC Tour with over 1000 competitors taking part over the 6 days of competition.
The event could not have taken place without the considerable financial support offered by EventScotland and the City of Edinburgh Council and contributions, direct and in-kind, from British Orienteering and the Scottish Orienteering Association as well as a substantial commitment from the 6-Day Company. The final financial outcome is still to be determined but it appears that a break-even position based on the revision to the budget that took place last summer will be attained. The money required from the orienteering community to successfully stage the event was a significant amount and calls into question the viability of the event in its present format especially for smaller orienteering countries such as the UK. The event also put significant demands on Scottish volunteers which has possibly had an impact on the manning of future large scale events in Scotland as noted below in respect of Royal Deeside 2025.
The financial position of the 6-Day Company has been closely monitored during WOC and the Company has kept to its reserves policy thanks to careful management of cashflow. This will enable the Company to continue to hold the biennial series of events that have taken place since 1977 subject to the continuing support of the Scottish orienteering community.
The next 6-day event, Royal Deeside 2025, will take place next summer and the areas for the event have been publicised with entries opening on 1 December. It has been difficult to find people to sit on the Central Organising Team for this event and a number of key positions are still to be filled. Finding officials for each day has also proved difficult. The average age of officials has been increasing over the years and without more support from younger members of the SOA it will become increasingly difficult to host 6-day events in the future.
The Board is reviewing its strategy at present, including the format of future events, given the difficulties noted above and has updated its documentation during the year to assist future event officials.
The Company has been asked by the SOA to take on responsibility for the delivery of JK2026 and is considering this request. Consideration is also being given to areas for the 6-day event in 2027 with a number of areas under review. This will complete a run of five multi-day events in Scotland in a row adding further to the strain on clubs and officials.
There were no changes to the Directors during the year. I would like to thank all the Directors, co-opted members and special advisers for their work and support during this difficult and intense period. I am very grateful for their commitment and contribution to the continued success of the Company.
A number of Directors are standing down at the AGM this year after several years on the Board. As is the case with the SOA, it is proving difficult to find new Board members and there will be a number of vacancies to be filled following the AGM. It is important that a full Board is in place to provide guidance to successive 6-day events.
Dave Kershaw
Chair
October 2024