Event report: OWA Schools Championships

The Orienteering Association of Western Australia (OWA) held the 2026 Schools Orienteering Championships at Mills Park on Tuesday 23rd of June. The organising team and participants were happy that the event was rain free. Over 750 students from 19 schools participated. Twenty-six volunteers from OWA helped run the event and City of Gosnells permitted us to use Mills Park.

This year, we adopted a sprint park format for the championships as these courses are more achievable for students who have only orienteered at their schools. Feedback from the students and their teachers was very positive. The 10 pairs, 11 – 12 pairs, 13 - 15 pairs and 16 pairs ran a score event, and all students had a result which was very pleasing. The vibe when the students mass started was exciting for the students and spectators.

Overall, Quinns Baptist College retained their position as Champion Secondary School with 38 points, from Perth Modern with 36 points. Shenton College was third with 29 points. St James Anglican was the Champion Primary School with 69 points, from Holy Cross College with 39 points. St Brigids Primary School was third with 19 points.

As with past schools championships, a large and wonderful team of current and past OWA members worked hard on the event. There are simply too many to list, but you know who you are and thank you for giving up your time to introduce orienteering to school students. Ricky Thackray and Graham Braid visited Mills Park many times to set and check the courses. Melinda Richards and Rosalie McCauley organised the event and Ken Brownlie was the chief starter for the individual starts.

Sincere thanks to: OWA for supporting the event; Schools Sports WA for helping promote the event; teachers for their participation; and City of Gosnell for allowing access to Mills Park.

Results are available on Eventor.

Photos: Above and bottom, Waiting for the results presentations. Taken by Tucker Ellery.
Below: (left) Boys 15's, from left, Archie, Ruben and Eli; (right) Boys 16's from left, Chris, Rohan and Zac. Taken by Tucker Ellery.