Little did he know the sport which tests both physical and mental strengths would take him around the world by the time he was was 50.

Alex, his wife Debbie and daughter Briohny Seaman are stalwarts of the Waggaroos club.

“After playing a lot of cricket and soccer, I started looking for another sport to get involved with,” Alex said.

“Debbie and I went to a orienteering come-and-try day and the physical and mental aspects of the sport appealed to us.

“That was back in 1989 and we are still getting great enjoyment out of it today.”

Alex and Debbie have represented Australia against New Zealand, travelled to Portugal for the World Masters and also competed in Denmark and Sweden.

They are hoping to take part in another World Masters – for over 35s – in Hungary next year.

Alex and Debbie have been driving forces in the Waggaroos’ bid to defeat Albury-Wodonga in the annual Interclub Challenge.

Wagga claimed a 13-10 win in the third round to take a two-one advantage with only one event left in the series.

Alex played a major role, leading the field home by 26 seconds over the 5.7-kilometre course.

The event also highlighted Briohny’s progress as she returns from a serious leg injury.

Briohny, who was at one stage ranked seventh in Australia, is on the comeback trail following major surgery in March.

She finished third in the Interclub Challenge and is sure to be a force in the final showdown against Albury-Wodonga at Tabletop, north of Albury, on August 1.