Women and Girls in Sport: Kirstin Maxwell

Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week runs from September 28 – October 4 and we’re highlighting women and girls who lead in orienteering, and who support other leaders. Today, Kirstin Maxwell explains her leading in orienteering.

“I’m Kirstin Maxwell and I started orienteering when I was about 10 years old. I have been helping out with coaching in orienteering for about 8 years, (previous to that I coached hockey while at school) as started to help out with East of Scotland and ScotJOS training once I became too old to attend.

“I also helped with coaching new EUOC members from my second year of university onwards. I did my level 1 coaching qualification during my time at university and then volunteered on Lagganlia which was great fun having previously been there as a junior myself. I have also been lucky enough to coach at two World Schools Champs.

“I’ve planned a day of the EUOC Big Weekend and 2 SOULs – it’s great to watch people take part in courses I’ve set.

“Currently much of my time when not working full time is spent on my own training but I’m still involved with coaching Roxburgh Reivers (including at our club training weekends away) which involves all ages and levels of ability. I also volunteer on ESOA committee, hope to get along to a ScotJOS weekend soon and act as personal coach to my Dad.

“It’s great seeing others succeed, not just those winning their classes but those achieving personal goals. I really enjoy giving something back to the sport I enjoy so much. 

“My personal goal for the future is to run at the World Orienteering Championships but I’d also like to inspire other orienteers to keep going to achieve their goals no matter how distant they may seem and how many setbacks they have to overcome. I only just made it into ScotJOS, didn’t go to JWOC etc etc but have now competed multiple times for Scotland and GB at senior level.

“I’d like to help retain juniors in our sport and keep the sport alive at a local level (we have a really great group in RR including some really promising juniors).

“Anyone can be a leader, you don’t have to be an elite. You’re advice and experience can be of great value to others. Different people have different skills to give and people learn in lots of different ways so we need as many people to get involved as possible.