QO’s Finlay Selected for the British Orienteering South Talent Squad 2026!
Finlay finishing the long distance
Credit:
Wendy Carlyle
Quantock Orienteers are thrilled to share that Finley has been selected for the British Orienteering South Talent Squad for 2026 – recognising him as one of the most promising young orienteers in the region.
The Talent Squads form part of British Orienteering’s national athlete development pathway, offering advanced coaching, training camps, and mentoring to support juniors aiming for long-term performance at national and international level.
Read the full announcement on the British Orienteering website
From JOG to Regional Recognition
Finley's orienteering journey began with QO’s Junior Orienteering Group (JOG), learning the craft of navigation on local maps and steadily progressing through regional and national competitions. His commitment, improvement, and enthusiasm have been clear at every stage.
Behind the scenes, his family’s dedication and support have been instrumental – driving, encouraging, and sharing every muddy, sunlit, and map-folded step along the way.
Reflecting on his selection, Finley said he is “really pleased. I’m looking forward to the coaching and meeting others who are pushing themselves at the same level.”
It is a fantastic milestone and a great example of how opportunities within local clubs can lead to recognition at regional and national level.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Finley's success is an inspiration to our younger members. Orienteering rewards persistence and curiosity – every JOG session, local event, or league run builds experience that can lead to opportunities like this.
If you’re a junior (or a parent of one!) who loves problem-solving, running, and exploring outdoors, come along to a JOG session to give orienteering a go: Find out more about JOG
Ready for the next step? Check out our upcoming QO events to start challenging yourself on new terrain: View events
A Proud Moment for QO
Everyone at Quantock Orienteers is proud of Finley's hard work and progress. His selection to the South Talent Squad is both a personal triumph and a testament to the strength of the club’s junior programme and volunteers.
Congratulations, Finley – we can’t wait to see what comes next! 🏆