Newsletter Number 58, July 2000

PO Box 3,
Central Park,
3145, Victoria.
neil.phillips@bigpond.com, 61-3-95721784 fax
President: Neil Phillips

There have been a number of exciting developments within international rogaining since the last IRF report to the annual meeting of the ARA. 

The 4^th World Rogaining Championships in New Zealand in January 2000 attracted strong support from many countries, and is a further step forward for international rogaines. 

The Canadian Rogaining Association led by Allan Stradeski announced their formation at the end of February 2000. 

The United States continues to run a number of rogaines in several states, and we have just started to address the issue of how to assist sustainability and a rogaining infrastructure appropriate for this country of 300 million people and plentiful rogaining terrain. 

The Czech Rogaining Association is continuing preparations for the 5^th World Rogaining Championships in 2002. With the imminent announcement by the ARA of a 5WRC Manager, progress and communications will accelerate. 

In Sweden, rogaining activities are increasing. One event took place early in 2000 near Gothenburg; there will be a shorter 3 hour rogaine close to Uppsala in July, and the third annual Täby Rogaine, now renamed Fjällräven Rogaine (under the sponsorship of outdoor manufacturer Fjällräven) will be held on 18 November this year. 

Estonia has announced their intention to run an 8 hour rogaine later in 2001. 

Russia has announced the dates for their second rogaine at Perm near the Ural Mountains. 

China has made enquiries about rogaining with plans to run a short event. 

Enquiries continue from Scotland, Ireland and England where there is considerable demand for rogaining that is not being matched by events yet. 

A number of other countries field teams at major rogaines, especially at each World Rogaining Championships. 

The Australian Rogaining Association continues to offer leadership for the international rogaining community with respect to consistent rules for the sport and generous support for all new rogaining groups. The Australian Rogaining Association celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, and the Western Australian Rogaining Association reaches this milestone later this year. 

There is now an accepted set of Rules of the constituted IRF. These have arisen as a result of the hard work of several groups and sub-committees over four years, and will facilitate elections and wider representation in the near future. They will also provide an avenue for those who might wish to change or modify the direction of the IRF. 

The IRF constitution was circulated to 25 senior rogainers worldwide, and the resultant suggestions for improvement formed the foundation for the final rules. This consultative phase included many Australians which was appropriate given the wealth of experience setting up and running rogaining associations. It also included the other rogaining countries. 

A number of changes were needed to meet the requirements of the Associations Incorporation Act. An IRF sub-committee comprising Rod Phillips, David Stephens and Neil Phillips finalized the rules on 30 June 2000. This last stage was based around a small team who shared the vision of a strong international rogaining body, have listened widely to the differing viewpoints, have finalized successful constitutions in the past, and have experience closing workable agreements. 

Thanks to all those who have contributed along the way. The process has taken some time, but it has resulted in a solid set of rules to take the sport forward. Importantly, it provides a closure to a long discussion, and moves us towards:

• Increased time to focus on key issues
• Greater legal protection and certainty
• IRF elections
• Wider participation in IRF decision-making.

  Finally, we have some challenges ahead of us, and the Australian Rogaining Association can assist the International Rogaining Federation to meet our mutual goals. We need to:

• Ensure our major rogaining meetings improve every year, and remain an excellent example for all,
• Assist in making every World Rogaining Championships excellent,
• Continue to provide leadership regarding international Rules and Technical Standards of rogaining,
• Continue to make Costigan's Organizing a rogaine manual widely available,
• Provide funding for the constituted IRF,
• Encourage strong state associations to take a country under their wing and develop rogaining in that new country,
• Make a large step upwards with publicity on a national level so that more people know of the sport,
• Advance further the issue of land access for rogaining,
• Support the IRF, and continue to expect and receive support from the IRF.

  On behalf of all rogaining nations, can I pass on to this meeting of the Australian Rogaining Association widespread thanks and appreciation for the ARA's continued generous support for rogaining in all countries, its leadership in the area of international rules and technical standards for the sport, and provision of technical and moral support for those running their first rogaines. There is a time and dollar cost of all this ARA assistance, and it continues to be a major contributor to the successes of rogaining internationally. 
 
  Commercial rogaines 

The potential interest in rogaining within commercial groups was identified as early as the foundation of the IRF in 1989, and has been mentioned in recent IRF Newsletters. Some of the commercial interest stems from the benefits to management training courses of rogaine-like activities. In the last two months, enquiries have come from three countries, and it is likely this trend will continue. It is not something the IRF or ARA can stop nor control, but we can be aware of the interest, and work with these groups for mutual benefit. 

I attended a meeting in Melbourne last month to discuss opportunities for a management training group to use rogaining in their manager development programme. Ultimately, they may go their own way, but currently their preferred option is to collaborate with existing rogaining associations. This would be up to state rogaining associations if they wished to pursue the link further (if approached). It is potentially a fund raising opportunity, and a means to raise the local awareness of rogaining. 

Neil Phillips, President IRF 

  Message from the Australian Rogaining Association following acceptance of the IRF constitution 

From Phillip Holman: President of the Australian Rogaining Association.

July, 2000 

Let me be one of the first to congratulate you on achieving this significant milestone. I know forming a constituted IRF is the culmination of several years work involving input from many groups and individuals in all corners of the rogaining world. 

With rogaines being staged in almost a dozen countries this year and several more nations participating in four World Championships, the IRF already boasts a significant number of achievements in its eleven year history. Under the more formal governence that this constitution brings, I hope international rogaining can achieve even greater growth and success in the future. 

I look forward to your report and further details of this announcement at the ARA Annual General Meeting in a couple of weeks time. This meeting will also give the ARA Council an opportunity to discuss and decide how it will be part of this new IRF body in the future.