Raul Ferra, our new orienteeringcoach

We can hereby present Halden SK's new o-trainer, Raul Ferra. We have asked him some questions and you now have the opportunity to get to know Raul. Raul is coming to Halden in connection with Kick-off later this month, and he will move here later in the spring of 2020.

Leader in top sports group, Emil Wingstedt can tell that it is important for the qualities Raul has in o-technical training. This is something that is essential for the runners, especially our top runners.

Where you are from and what is your background with orienteering at your own level?

I'm from Lorca, a beautiful city with around 80.000 people which is located in the SouthEast of Spain. I've been practicing orienteering since I was 9 years old, competing for the Spanish Team in one EYOC, three JWOC and 1 WOC, without remarkable results. I've been running big relays (Tiomila and Jukola) since 2012 with KFUM-Örebro, SK Uusi and Koovee. Probably the most remarkable success as competitor was the bronze medal I got last summer in the Middle Distance at World Masters.

Do you have coaching experience from other clubs or national teams?

I have superior studies in both Sport Sciences and Orienteering, working as a Physical Education teacher in high schools and coaching orienteering athletes of all the levels. The last years years I've been working for the Spanish Orienteering Federation as the Sport Director and Head-Coach of all national teams, and also as the Director of the Maximus Winter O-Camp and Maximus O Meeting (WRE event in Spain).

Why do you want to be the HSK head-coach?

I think that Halden is, no doubts, one of the best places in the planet to do orienteering and enjoy the wonderful nature around. At the same time, Halden SK is a club which I've always admire and follow in the big relays and for me is a big honor to become part of it. I'd like to contribute as much as I can to develop all the areas in which I'll be responsible, with motivation and hard work, helping the teams to reach the most ambitious goals.

What are your strengths as an O-trainer?

I think it is not me really who should answer this question but the people I've coached. I am a highly motivated person who likes to work hard in everything which I am committed. Orienteering is my passion and I don’t mind spending hours and hours working on that. I am very ambitious and I continuously try to improve every small detail to get everything works perfectly. I am very open-minded, learn fast, communicative and like to work in “team spirit” because I think it is essential to succeed.

What do you want to emphasize in the training work based on the current knowledge and expertise about the club?

At this time, for me it is still difficult to have a clear vision of the current training work in the club and the real level of the athletes, so the first target will be to do a deep diagnosis of the situation to develop the best planning and general procedures. In any case, I would like to individualize the training as much as possible and work in small groups, prioritizing quality over quantity. It is also important for me that top athletes can interact with the youngest athletes in the all-together-trainings. And, of course, the specific preparation of the most important events of the season will be a priority.

When do you come to Halden?

I plan to visit Halden the last week of November to have some meetings about the general planification of the 2020 season, and also a first contact with the athletes, staff and the people of the club. After that visit, I'll begin the working online, to move permanently in the beginning of March. I'm so excited and looking forward to beginning.

What interests Raul about outside orienteering?

When almost everything (profesional, personal and educational areas) go around orienteering, there's actually not too much time for other things. But yes, there's life beyond the orienteering, and in my free time I like to watch series (as Game of Thrones, Vikings,...), read some historical books or just travel to sightseeing without sport purposes. I also like to watch some other sports as football, athletics or cycling.

Well, we will welcome Raul later on and look forward to meet him here in Halden.