News - Athletics NSW

Melinda Gainsford-Taylor reflects on her Sydney 2000 Olympics

NSWâ€™s premier athlete at the Sydney Olympics was Melinda Gainsford-Taylor. The Narromine-born sprinter closed her career with two outstanding fifth places from her four events. On the 20th anniversary of the Sydney Olympics Gainsford-Taylor reflections on her best Olympics.

Sun 20 Sep 2020

NSW Officials remember Sydney Olympics

Twenty years ago this week, Sydney hosted â€˜the best Olympics everâ€™. On competition day seven, September 22, the long wait for the 200 technical officials in athletics was over as the first events commenced. These numbers included 40 NSW officials â€“ the NSW roll of honour is listed below.

Sat 19 Sep 2020

Coach profile: Barry Keem

Coaches have an enormous impact on the lives of our athletes. In his coach profile with former talented junior Wollongong athlete, Barry Keem, who went on to represent Australia in Mountain and ultra running, we learn about one of these athletes whose lives have been turned around.

Fri 18 Sep 2020

2019/20 Joint Chair Report

Our report to the membership for the 2019/20 season is unprecedented in both its form and substance. Transition of Chair In early 2020, after almost 3 years as Chair of ANSW, Peter Higgins decided to take up a professional opportunity in the United Kingdom and therefore step down as Chair of ANSW. Matt Whitbread was subsequently unanimously elected to the Chair in February 2020 in a seamless transition to ensure continuity and stability for the sport in NSW.

Mon 14 Sep 2020

White/Nixon family â€“ an Olympic volunteering dynasty

Since the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, a member of the White/Nixon family have officiated at every international Games or Championships, athletics or multi-sport, ever held on Australia soil. It peaked at the Sydney 2000 when six members of the clan volunteering for the Games.

Thu 10 Sep 2020

Sydney 2000 Olympics: Memories from Rob Blackadder

My Olympic experience started in 1992 when Sydney was asked to support the bid. I volunteered my school.

Sun 06 Sep 2020

New Directors Appointed at 2019/20 AGM

On Wednesday, September 2, the 2019/20 Athletics NSW (ANSW) Annual General Meeting was held, with two new Directors elected and one Director, Nick Bromley, re-elected to serve another term on the ANSW Board. Newly elected Director, John McFadden has been involved in the administration of athletics and rugby on a volunteer basis since 2003, including his ongoing role as President at Ku-ring-gai Little Athletics, which he commenced in 2006.

Fri 04 Sep 2020

Sutherlandâ€™s Ollie Hoare on top of the World and on track for Tokyo

While the World has been far from normal in 2020, for American-based Sutherland Shire distance runner Ollie Hoare, there has been also lots of change including the cancellation of the NCAAs the day prior to the event, transition to a new coach, a new squad and new home, graduating from university and now out of the secure structure of university. But all of these challengers have not affected Ollie Hoareâ€™s form on the track â€“ a mile world lead and under the Tokyo Olympic 1500m standard recently.

Wed 02 Sep 2020

Coach Interview: Ben Liddy

Who is the coach behind the incredible progression last season by steeplechaser Georgia Winkcup? That was Ben Liddy who is just five years into an already successful coaching career. In this interview, Liddy speaks about how he moved into coaching to help a training partner and what motivates him to spend dozens of hours each week preparing programs and at the track with his athletes.

Wed 26 Aug 2020

1996 World Junior Championships remembered

Six days of competition, 143 countries, 1080 athletes, 295 media and 40,216 spectators. They were impressive numbers for the 1996 World Junior Championships held at Homebush 24-years-ago this week. It was easily the largest World Athletics competition to be held in Australia. We remember the many NSW officials, volunteers, administrators and athletes who were involved.

Mon 24 Aug 2020

Jessica Hull selected for Olympic debut

The Australian Olympic Committee today announced the selection of five Australian athletes for the Tokyo Olympics, including NSW 23-year-old Jessica Hull (BAN). She had earned automatic nomination to the team courtesy of her win in the 2020 Australian 5000m Championship and selection trial in February. She had also achieved the required standard for nomination.

Thu 20 Aug 2020

20 years ago this week the Olympic Stadium hosted the Australian Olympic trials and NSW All Schools

This week, 20-years-ago, Australiaâ€™s leading athletes were just five weeks away from a home Olympics where they would compete in-front of a patriotic home crowd in a stadium which seated 110,000. But they had one final hurdle the trials on the Olympic Stadium. Present to enjoy the occasion was the next generation of NSW athletes who were given an inspiring opportunity of a lifetime when the NSW All Schools Championships were held in-conjunction with the four-day Olympic trials.

Wed 19 Aug 2020

Training partners Molly Oâ€™Neill and Tyler Jones claim Open State Race Walking titles

In perfect weather conditions, on a new, well received course, one hundred of NSWâ€™s best race walkers battled for state titles at Sydney Olympic Park today in what seemed relatively normal in this COVID affected year. Training partners Molly Oâ€™Neill and Tyler Jones, from the Frank Overton squad, claimed the top honours.

Sun 16 Aug 2020

Jessica Hull breaks Australian 5000m record

Competing in the Monaco Diamond league this morning, the first major outdoor meet in the delayed season due to COVID-19, Jessica Hull (BAN) smashed the 18-year-old Australian 5000m record clocking 14:43.80.

Sat 15 Aug 2020

NSW athletics remembers the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day

This Saturday (15 August) is the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day. While victory in Europe was declared in May 1945, fighting in the Pacific region continued until August 1945.

Thu 13 Aug 2020

NSW race walking resumes competition

Following in the footsteps of the runners last weekend, NSWâ€™s race walkers resumed competition in Sydney yesterday as the NSW Long Walks Championships held at Gough Whitlam Park in Earlwood.

Sun 26 Jul 2020

NSW Short Course Cross Country â€“ Junior events race reviews

With no schools and little athletics cross country events in 2020, the NSW Short Course Cross Country Championships on Sunday at West Dapto was a popular event amongst the juniors. There was a strong theme from the athletes, they were very excited to be back racing as they had found motivation a challenge with no competitions to prepare form.

Tue 21 Jul 2020

Country girl Paige sprints away in cross country â€“ open women race review

A four-month break from competition has been of benefit, rather than a hinderance, for medallists in the NSW Short Course XC Championships held at West Dapto on Sunday. The forced break, due to COVID-19, is the longest break in athletics competitions in NSW in 75 years, since World War II.

Mon 20 Jul 2020