Start a Club.
Build an OCR Community in Your Area
The Obstacle Course Racing Association of Ireland (OCRA ÉIREANN) wants to support people interested in developing obstacle racing clubs and local training communities across Ireland.
OCR does not need to begin with a large facility, permanent obstacle course or dozens of members.
Many successful sporting communities begin with a small group of people who simply want to train together and help develop the sport locally.
Why Start an OCR Club?
Starting a club can help create:
- Regular local training opportunities
- A social OCR community
- Support for new athletes
- Race preparation
- Youth development opportunities
- Competitive athlete development
- Coaching opportunities
- Links with local events and facilities
- A pathway into the wider Irish OCR community
Getting Started
A new OCR club can begin relatively simply.
The first steps may include:
- Bringing together a small group of interested people
- Identifying suitable training locations
- Establishing regular training sessions
- Agreeing how the club will operate
- Creating basic club rules and responsibilities
- Developing appropriate safety procedures
- Identifying coaching needs
- Considering safeguarding requirements where children or young people are involved
- Connecting with OCRA and other OCR clubs
You Don't Need Your Own Obstacle Facility
An OCR club does not necessarily need to own a permanent obstacle course.
Training can combine:
- Running
- Strength and conditioning
- Grip training
- Carries
- Climbing
- Bodyweight exercises
- Trail running
- Access to existing obstacle facilities
- Sessions at OCR gyms or training centres
As the club develops, more specialist training opportunities can be added.
Club Structure
As a club grows, it is useful to establish a clear structure.
This may include people responsible for areas such as:
- Club coordination
- Coaching
- Membership
- Finance
- Safeguarding
- Events
- Communications
The exact structure will depend on the size and needs of the club.
Coaching
OCRA is developing a structured coaching pathway for obstacle sport.
Clubs should aim to provide training that is appropriate to the experience and ability of their members.
As the coaching pathway develops, clubs will be encouraged to support coaches through recognised OCRA education and development.
Youth Participation
Clubs providing activities for children or young people must take safeguarding seriously.
Appropriate safeguarding requirements, supervision and policies should be in place before youth activities are introduced.
OCRA safeguarding information can be found within the Governance & Integrity section of the website.
Work With OCRA
OCRA wants new clubs to become part of the national obstacle racing community.
We can help connect emerging clubs with:
- Other OCR clubs
- Coaches
- Training facilities
- Events
- Technical Officials
- National programmes
- The wider Irish OCR community
Clubs can also explore formal OCRA affiliation once they are established.
Thinking About Starting a Club?
If you are interested in creating an OCR club or training community in your area, contact OCRA.
You do not need to have everything worked out before getting in touch.
We would rather help people develop a good structure from the beginning than wait until somebody has created a constitution, bought seventeen tyres and accidentally appointed their neighbour as Supreme Head Coach for Life.