THE COACH BEHIND RF-COACH
Hi, I’m Raúl Ferra.
A lifetime in orienteering.
Orienteering coach, Sport Sciences graduate and former teacher. Based in Halden, Norway, working with athletes from different countries.
I discovered orienteering at nine, in Spain. I still enjoy the challenge that drew me in: making sense of a map, finding a way through unfamiliar terrain and learning something from the race afterwards. Coaching has given me another reason to love the sport: helping someone else make that progress.
My work brings together more than a decade in high-performance coaching and a background in education. I have supported developing juniors, athletes making the step into senior competition and established international runners. Each needs a different conversation, a different challenge and a different pace of development.
Working across club, national-team and personal coaching has taught me to look beyond a result. I want to understand the preparation behind it, the decisions made during the race and what the athlete can use next time.
HOW I WORK
The person matters as much as the programme.
My teaching background still shapes the way I coach. Explaining a task clearly, choosing the right level of difficulty and giving useful feedback matter as much as designing the session. I draw on sports science, but I also listen carefully to what an athlete experiences.
Listen first
Your account of a session gives context to the data. I want you to be able to ask questions and say when something is not working.
Explain the why
You should know what a session is meant to develop and what to pay attention to. Clear instructions make the work easier to use.
Build independence
The aim is to help you recognise what matters, make your own decisions and take more ownership of your development.
FOR CLUBS & NATIONAL TEAMS
Bring the preparation together.
An athlete’s progress also depends on the environment around them. My work with clubs and national teams brings coaches, training opportunities and competition priorities into a shared plan.
- Programme planning: connect season goals, development priorities and available resources.
- Coach coordination: give club, national-team and personal coaches a clear way to work together around the athlete.
- Specific preparation: build camps and training programmes around the terrain and demands of target championships.
The starting point is a conversation about your team, what is already working and where you need support. We can then define a useful role and a realistic scope for the cooperation.
Tell me about your team or project →EXPERIENCE
Where that experience comes from.
2021–present
RF-COACH · Founder & personal coach
Individual programmes for junior and senior orienteers, connecting physical preparation, technical learning and target races through regular dialogue and follow-up.
2020–2026
Halden SK · Head Coach
Seven seasons leading an international elite and junior training environment. Alongside individual development, I coordinated preparation for major relays and championships. Team results included third place at women’s Tiomila and at 25-Manna, and Norwegian titles at senior and junior levels.
2019–present
Maximus & Sun-O · Technical director & manager
Designing and organising training camps and Maximus O Meeting. I work with clubs and national-team coaches to translate their preparation goals into suitable terrain, courses and camp programmes.
2016–2019
Spanish Orienteering Federation · National Team Coach & Sports Director
Led junior and senior national-team programmes, coordinating coaches, camps, selection and preparation for WOC, EOC, World Cups, JWOC and EYOC.
2008–2016
Physical Education Teacher
Taught Physical Education in public secondary schools in Murcia, Spain. Those years developed the teaching, communication and group-management skills I continue to use in coaching.
Education & coaching qualifications
I studied Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Granada (2002–2007), specialising in Endurance Sports Coaching. My five-year Licenciado degree is recognised in Norway as equivalent to an integrated master’s degree.
I also hold the postgraduate teaching qualification (CAP) and Orienteering Coach Level II, awarded by the Extremadura Orienteering Federation in 2022. Continuing to learn from research, other coaches and the athletes themselves is part of the job.
Recognition along the way
Course of the Year · 2024
World of O’s award for the Maximus O Meeting middle-distance course I designed.
Coach of the Year in Norway · 2023
Awarded by the Norwegian Orienteering Federation.
Coach of the Year in Lorca · 2023
Recognition across all sports for my work with Halden SK and the Maximus Winter O-Camp.
Want to know more about working together?
For personal coaching, explore the programme and its practical details. For a club or team project, get in touch and we can discuss what would be useful.
Let’s talk → Explore coaching →