Derrwent Valley Orienteers held a special event at Foremark Reservoir near Ticknall in Derbyshire to help celebrate the fact that 1000 sports in 20 different sports have now been awarded "Clubmark" accreditation by Sport England.

The Derbyshire club hosted the event when people were invited to try out orienteering. The event incorporated the Derbyshire Schools Orienteering Championships, highlighting the importance of developing strong school links with the sport.

Derwent Valley has around 200 members of all ages competing at every level and recently achieved Clubmark accreditation.   

Each year club puts on a series of local events which are ideal for beginners; district events for the improving and experienced orienteers; and regional events which provide the most challenging courses.  In the last year several of the club members have been chosen to represent their country in international competition

Following on from the club's success in achieving "Clubmark" status, Derwent Valley Orienteers are pleased to have been asked to host a national schools competition later this year. This is the British Schools Score Championships 2005 which will be held at Shipley Park, Heanor, in October.

Sport England’s Chief Executive Roger Draper congratulated Derwent Valley Orienteers  on their Clubmark achievement and one of the sport’s top international athletes, Heather Monro, said;

“Clubmark is good for all in orienteering, leading to high standards of training and competition throughout the sport.

“Our challenge is to encourage increased participation. This is a sport which really is for all and the Clubmark scheme will provides a strong base from which the club can build.