PO Box 3, Newsletter Number 50, June 1999
Central Park,
3145, Victoria.
neil.phillips@bigpond.com, 61-3-95721784 fax
President: Neil PhillipsThis Newsletter marks the 10th anniversary of the foundation of the International Rogaining Federation, and contains a summary of the key features and decisions captured within the first 49 Newsletters. It also records the outcome of voting on the 5th World Rogaining Championships bids.
On 16th June 1989, a meeting in Calgary, Canada formally brought together rogainers from three countries, elected an executive, and set international rogaining on its course for the 1990s.
VRA Tenth Anniversary Of International Rogaining -
Victorian Rogaining Championships
The VRA marked the anniversary of international rogaining with a major rogaine that incorporated their 24th state rogaining championships. The rogaine represented a return to the heartland of rogaining in central Victoria where numerous state and national championships have been held in the past. Despite the excellent countryside, nothing could put a halt to the continuous rain, and the moon never had a chance with cloud and fog.
A snapshot from our First Fifty Newsletters
May, 1988: Release of Strategic Plan for an international rogaining association, shortly thereafter renamed the International Rogaining Federation.
Executive newsletters 1-5: September 1989 to August 1990.
International Rogaining Federation first
international meeting on 16th June 1989 over a chinese meal in Calgary. Three countries represented by the eight rogainers. Ratification of executive appointments.
Newsletters
1. July 1989: Australian teams enter North American rogaines. Rogaining promotion lectures and media interviews in North America. Description of rogaines on entry forms start to provide the information required by a typical overseas visitor.
2. Australian Rogaining Association formally supports the aims of the IRF. Bob Reddick sets up Rogaine Committee within US Orienteering Federation. Suggestion that teams add up their own scores at the end of rogaines to provide cross-checks for Administration.
3. Decade of growth for Western Australian Rogaining Association. Suggestion for state / national rogaining day.
4. Announcement of plans for 1st World Rogaining Championships. Careful look at key issues facing rogaining in the longer term.
5. Several rogaines in eastern North America attest to successful marketing of the sport in that continent. Concept of building other events around major rogaines.
6. Plan for Course Setters Manual. First rogaining forum in Canberra.
7. First international rogaine, Most Awesome Rogaine, in Alberta attracts 300 rogainers from 18 countries.
8. Discussion of oversubscription at rogaines.
9-10. Busy North American rogaining programme. Change of date for 1WRC.
11. Summary of first four years. Review of IRF leadership.
12. Decade of rogaining in New South Wales. Reaffirming IRF leadership.
13. Call for interest in 2nd World Rogaining Championships.
14. Release of IRF Event Organizers Manual written by Rod Costigan.
15. Commencement of second strategic planning process. IRF leadership extended to 1996-97. First creche at a rogaine.
16. Draft of second IRF Strategic Plan.
17. Western Australia allocated 2WRC.
18. Review of progress with Strategic Plan.
19. Review of role of IRF. Question whether rogaining associations should 'run the sport' or 'run rogaines'. Recognition of loss of young families at rogaines.
20. Trial of vests for organizers at rogaines. Preliminary WRC calendar to 2000.
21. New IRF executive team. Issue of recreational category in rogaines.
22. 2WRC details.
23. Release of second strategic plan for rogaining "Rogaining towards 2000".
24. Co-ordinated direction for rogaining.
25. Co-ordination of several events around the 3WRC planned for Kamloops, Canada. Early work on IRF constitution.
26. Progress on 2WRC, 20th Anniversary Rogaine, and constitution.
27. Acceptance of 2WRC bid from Kamloops. Media effort leading up to 2WRC. Update of IRF executive team.
28. Review of recent IRF activities. Agenda for IRF meeting at 2WRC.
29. Minutes of IRF meeting in Perth before 2WRC.
30. 2WRC held at Mt Singleton and co-ordinated by Richard Matthews. Release by the IRF of Organizing A Rogaine written by Rod Costigan. 20th Anniversary Rogaine at Tallarook. Distribution of international rules and technical standards for rogaining sent to eight countries.
31. Overview of International Rogaining Federation. Formation of Czech Rogaining Association notified.
32. ARA requests delay of IRF elections planned for 1997. Guidelines developed for awarding world rogaining championships by the IRF.
33. Proposals from New South Wales and from New Zealand to hold 4WRC in 2000.
34. ARA formation of a steering committee to develop IRF constitution.
35. First formal vote to award a WRC. 4WRC awarded to New Zealand. Analysis of reasons behind votes.
36. Suggestion of alliances to explore multi-uses of rogaining courses.
37. Rules and full details for 3WRC in Kamloops, Canada. These rules also serve as the basis for all major rogaines.
38. Review of progress on constitution. ARA circulating IRF constitution.
39. Discussion of value of alliances with other groups. Discussion of more formal links with orienteering.
40. Maldon meeting to discuss rogaining and orienteering. Plan for international rogaining book as new IRF initiative.
41. Details on 4WRC in New Zealand.
42. Priorities for IRF. Plan to review IRF leadership in 1999.
43. Agenda for IRF meeting in Merritt prior to 3WRC.
44. 3WRC held in Kamloops, Canada. IRF message to 3WRC.
45. Call for expressions of interest in 5WRC.
46. Review of the role of the IRF for new members. Profile of IRF members.
47. Wartook meeting to agree priorities for IRF of a constitution, financial system, and legal framework.
48. Summary of major research project by Ivana Cicchelli relating to participation rate in different types of rogaines. Two rogaines in Sweden.
49. Review of leadership, elections and constitution plans. Current draft of IRF constitution. Proposals from Czech Republic and USA to hold 5WRC in 2002.
50. 10th Anniversary Of International Rogaining rogaine run by VRA in Strathbogie Ranges.
5th World Rogaining Championships
The extended voting period for 5WRC closed on Friday 11th June.
A significant number of people voted for one of the options, but in doing so said they felt both options were very good.
The overall vote was clearly for the Czech proposal.
The USA is thanked on behalf of all of us for their interest and bid, and we look forward to supporting a USA WRC bid in the future.
To Czech, congratulations. They have strong support from the international rogaining community to get on and organize the first world rogaining championships in Europe. This vote is not the end, but just the start of much work leading up to an outstanding rogaining course, and a well run event. There will be many international rogainers who offer their support along the way.
At the suggestion of Australian president, Peter Taylor, an overseer will be appointed to observe and comment on all aspects leading up to each WRC. The Australian Rogaining Association has been asked to nominate a person for this position going in to 5WRC.
Neil Phillips, President IRF