Canberra Cockatoos – Orienteering (Men’s Senior Team)

The success of the Canberra Cockatoos team in winning the 2016 senior men’s division of the National Orienteering League for a sixth straight time is due to the quality of its training regime (which includes appropriate events) to exploit the available talented orienteers.  The various feeder programs for juniors from ages around 9-10 are very important and have produced many high standard competitors.  The access to suitable venues is also highly important.  Canberra was once described by a visiting orienteer as an ‘orienteering playground’.  Thus Canberra is a highly attractive place for visiting overseas elite orienteers who may sign up with the Cockatoos for four or more months. The Canberra Cockatoos team provides a pinnacle in national competitions for which local juniors to aspire.  The senior Cockatoos also provide coaching and encouragement to emerging juniors.  And the Cockatoos provide a showcase of the athleticism required to be a successful elite orienteer.  They also provide the main media interest in the sport.