GBR Junior Team for JEC 2026
We are pleased to award a grant to support a full Great Britain junior team attending the Junior European Cup (JEC) in Switzerland this autumn. The funding will help support a larger team, while also developing new international‑level coaching staff. This contribution strengthens the performance pathway at a critical transition age for young orienteers.
The Junior European Cup (JEC) takes place in Sörenberg, Switzerland in autumn 2026. This is a competition for M/W18 and M/W20 athletes, with a max of four in each class per nation. With a growing international program of competitions and training camps, and British Orienteering no longer able to fully resource junior attendance at JEC, a dedicated volunteer‑led management group, working on behalf of the Performance Pathway Steering Group, has stepped in to coordinate selections, logistics and team support. British Orienteering has already committed funding for part of the team from their reserves, and the Orienteering Foundation’s grant will enable additional athletes and coaches to attend, ensuring GBR can field a complete team.
JEC is widely recognised by junior athletes as a valuable international opportunity: a high‑quality end‑of‑season competition, a chance to race in GBR kit, and an important stepping stone towards JWOC and/or the transition into senior classes. It provides a performance‑level race for top juniors while also offering a development opportunity for emerging athletes, supporting international experience and enhancing winter training motivation.
A key element of the project is the development of new coaching staff. The JEC Management Group aims to take several coaches with little or no previous experience of international team management, helping to grow the pool of volunteers capable of supporting GBR teams at major competitions.
The application highlighted a real shortage of coaches within orienteering that have the experience of team management at an international level. By giving new coaches hands‑on experience in a structured environment, the project strengthens the long‑term sustainability of the performance pathway.
The support will allow more juniors, particularly those on the cusp of senior competition, to gain international experience. This age group (M/W18–21) is one where the sport often sees significant drop‑off. Providing meaningful opportunities to compete, travel and train as part of a GB team can be a powerful motivator to stay engaged. Enabling a larger cohort to attend is highly motivating for these age classes and gives those that wouldn’t normally be selected a chance to represent GBR. Even if they don't all transition into senior elite careers, many of these athletes go on to become future planners, coaches, mappers and organisers, roles essential to the health of the sport.
The Orienteering Foundation is delighted to support this initiative, which aligns strongly with our aims of enhancing athlete experience, supporting coach development and reducing barriers to participation. We look forward to seeing the GB junior team compete in Switzerland and to following the longer‑term impact on both athletes and coaches.