JROS summer camps support for young coach development
Credit: Rose Taylor
We are pleased to announce a grant to support the Junior Regional Orienteering Squads (JROS) and their 2026 summer training camps in Scotland. The award will help JROS continue delivering high‑quality training camps at Lagganlia and Deeside, with a particular focus on developing young and emerging coaches.
These long‑running camps provide some of the most formative experiences in junior orienteering, combining technical coaching in world‑class Scottish terrain with a strong social environment that builds confidence, resilience and long‑term engagement in the sport. A central strand of the 2026 programme is the deliberate investment in young coaches, many of whom previously attended camps as juniors themselves, who take on real responsibility alongside experienced staff. They are embedded in all aspects of tour life from planning exercises and giving one‑to‑one feedback, to leading small groups on technical training and supporting evening review sessions.
The Foundation’s support will help remove financial barriers for these young volunteers, many of whom are students or early‑career adults. By covering essential costs, JROS can maintain the low coach‑to‑athlete ratios that underpin safe, individualised technical development and strong pastoral care. The grant will also contribute to key transport needs for the Deeside tour, ensuring efficient access to more varied training areas.
Without this support, JROS would likely need to reduce the number of young coaches or increase the personal costs required to attend, changes that would risk excluding those with the least disposable income and weakening the coaching pipeline, as well as providing a diminished experience for the athletes.
We are particularly pleased to back an initiative that not only enhances the immediate camp experience but also strengthens the long‑term sustainability of coaching across the UK. Many former young coaches have gone on to take roles in clubs, regions and future JROS tours, helping retain talent and experience within the sport.