British Orienteering Federation

History of Orienteering in UK before the BOF

Orienteering was introduced to the UK in the 1950s and was heavily supported by renowned Olympians including John Disley and Chris Brasher.^[5] The early years were helped by orienteers from Sweden: in 1962 Baron 'Rak' Largerfelt of the Stockholm Orienteering Club came to Scotland to help develop the sport. This culminated in the first championship being held in May 1962 at Dunkeld, and the formation of the Scottish Orienteering Association.^[6]

Later visitors from Sweden included Jan Kjellström, a son of Silva compass founder Alvar Kjellström. Kjellström played an important role in the development of the sport and helped to accelerate developments in orienteering competition, mapping and coaching. Kjellström died in a road accident early in the year of 1967.^[7] 1967 saw the first Jan Kjellström International Festival of Orienteering or "JK", held in memory of Kjellström.^[7] Later that year the British Orienteering Federation was formed by the amalgamation of the English and Scottish Associations leading to the first British Orienteering Championships held at Hamsterley Forest.^[6]

After the Founding of BOF

With the growth of the sport BOF was founded in 1967, and continued to develop. There were 12 national and regional associations by 1972; the British Schools Orienteering Association joining in 1995 when it was formed to promote orienteering in schools.^[8] The Federation's membership had reached around 10,000 by 1998 and the club membership had increased to more 150 clubs.^[5]

Funding

Funding is principally from three sources:

• Fees paid by individual members and clubs^[10]
• Event levies paid by events registered with British Orienteering.
• Grant funding from Sport England and Sport Northern Ireland.

Former grant funding from UK Sport has ceased, in common with many other non-Olympic sports.