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Eddie McAteer Daniel Dyson James Dowden Charlotte Carver
Orienteering phoenix club affiliates afresh
As a result, when the SU informed them that they were no longer SU-affiliated, committee and members alike were both very upset. The problem was, the club had only 24 registered members, six below the Sports Editor 30-member requirement, and not for the first time. There had been emails he University of Bristol’s in the past highlighting the issue, alOrienteering and Fell Runthough nothing had ever happened ning Club has affiliated with before so the committee did not the SU as a new society following think much of it. This time it was a seven-month struggle to affiliate. different. After falling below the 30-member SU byelaws say that clubs must requirement for two successive years have 30 members every year, althey lost their affiliation, and their though the SU only disaffiliate clubs £1,200 funds, just before the first if they have failed to do this for two lockdown in March. I spoke to their years in a row. Unfortunately for the Club Captain, Dan Weaver, to find orienteering club, this was the situaout more. tion they found themselves in. Orienteering is a sport that reFinding this out at any time is a bit quires a combination of navigation, of a blow, however, to discover that speed and endurance, think cross your club is being disaffiliated just country but you have to work out as the country starts to lock down is where you are going. One of the a sizeable shock. more niche socieIt feels like a weight has For Weaver, their ties in Bristol, the ‘main priority Orienteering Club been lifted was not getting nonetheless plays 30 members; it was leave, go home, an important part in the lives of make sure we are all safe.’ Once the multiple students at the University. dust had settled, the club set about Like all societies, it provides students gaining support for their appeal with an escape from their studies, an from Bristol Orienteering Klub and opportunity to make friends and the British Orienteering, as well as chaschance to push themselves.
The Orienteering Club's battle to affiliate has finally finished Eddie McAteer
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ly stages of what will hopefully be aws used to justify it ‘didn’t give ing up those who had not paid for a fruitful relationship with the SU. particular clarity,' giving the club a membership. Even with this support, The affiliation did not come without lifeline. the appeal was turned down due to conditions, as the club must attend With their future still in doubt ‘not presenting a full case’ and the development meetings to ensure that though, the committee had to look club was disaffiliated. this sort of situation does not arise at alternative ways to continue the Disappointingly for the society, again. Weaver showed a desire to go sport they love. Having already conthis meant they could not have a the extra mile too, stating that ‘we sidered a partnership with UBES stall at this year’s virtual Freshers’ want to be Balloon accredited,’ to (University of Bristol Expeditions Fair. In normal times, this has been show the Union they are ‘trying to Society), the committee proposed a crucial for the club’s recruitment engage.’ The Balloon Accreditation motion to UBES as lots of people Scheme gives societies recognition who join have Over £1000 of funds were and a trial partfor their good work by awarding nership was never done oriat risk of being lost bronze, silver or gold accreditation agreed. enteering before. based on certain criteria. Backup in place, the Orienteering Not participating in the freshers’ fair In order to further strengthen the and Fell Running Club began the meant that new members were hard club, the committee plan to have a process of applying to be a ‘new’ to come by as they had to actively tiered membership. Those wanting society with full affiliation. Creatseek out the club and therefore had to attend just weekday training will ing a new society requires a petito be interested in orienteering alhave a free membership, whilst those tion to be signed by a minimum of ready. who wish to go on weekends away 30 supporters and the orienteering Perhaps more worryingly, once a or participate in club smashed this society is disaffiliated the SU keep The committee had to events will pay target, gaining 30 their funds for 12 months before look at alternative ways £15. signatures withredistributing the money into the For Weaver, in 36 hours. At to continue the sport they society grant fund. This left over this summer has the final count, £1000 of funds, predominately genlove had the added 41 people had erated by the club, at risk of being stress of fighting for his club and he expressed their support for the club lost. When the SU put a 12-month says it ‘feels like a weight has been and on 29 October, the new Univerfreeze on the society re-affiliating, lifted.’ Securing the immediate future sity of Bristol Orienteering and Fell that money seemed lost forever, as of the Orienteering Club will feel like Running Club rose from the ashes. they would not be able to re-affilia big win for the committee and, Now a fully affiliated society, they ate in time to get their funds back. fingers crossed, they can keep their have been able to regain their funds That was until the SU rescinded this affiliation this time. from the SU and are in the earfreeze after deciding that the byel-
