Jane Saville inducted into the Commonwealth Games NSW Hall of Fame

16 June 2022

Jane Saville inducted into the Commonwealth Games NSW Hall of Fame

Last night in Sydney three-time gold medallist Jane Saville was inducted into the Commonwealth Games NSW Hall of Fame. Jane, who competed at four-Games, was the flag bearer at her last Games, in Melbourne, in 2006.

Jane, who lives in Spain with her husband Matt White and family, joined the evening by video link, reflecting on her career which included three consecutive gold medals at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games. As a teenager in her debut at the 1994 Games, she placed fourth. With four Games appearances, it is the equal most by any Australian track and field athlete at the Games.

Jane’s parents, Anne and Ron Saville, were at the dinner to hear the announcement. Jane was asked about her sponsors.

“My biggest sponsor was Saville quality Meats at Malabar - my dad’s butcher shop,” Jane said.

“Not only did my parent’s pay for everything when I was growing up, but they gave moral support throughout my career. It is only fitting they are there to collect this award on my behalf. “

Jane crowned her Commonwealth Games career in 2006 in Melbourne where she not only won gold, but had the honour of carrying the opening ceremony flag for the Australian team. She recalled how the announcement unfolded.

“They asked me to come down from Sydney for the announcement of the flagbearer, but I wasn’t really keen to travel as I wanted to focus on my training and usually before big races I arrive late into the village so I was more relaxed. I think it was John Devitt who was asking me to come down. He had to asked a few time…I REALLY think you should come down he insisted.”

In front of over 100,000 spectators at the MCG on 15 March 2006, Jane Saville became the 18th Australian Opening Ceremony Flagbearer. Five days later, on March 20, over a 2km loop at Docklands in Melbourne, she won the women’s 20km walk.

Jane recalled the day of her race. “The Prime Minister John Howard, an avid walker, was there. The crowds were enormous, but it was an enjoyable experience as I knew they were there to support the Australian team. I knew it was going to be my last Games and I only had a few years left (in her career) so I wanted to soak up the atmosphere. Kids and family came up to me to get autographs and Nat (her sister) was second, so it was an amazing experience to have a home Games.”

Also inducted into the Hall of Fame on the night was five-time Commonwealth Games cycling gold medallists Brad McGee. With cycling royalty in the room, Jane recalled how she had met her husband a cyclist and team manager for a leading pro team in Europe, Matt White, at the 1994 Commonwealth Games ‘in the dining hall’ she recalled.

The Bankstown Sports Club hosted the Commonwealth Games NSW Hall of Fame dinner, fittingly as the Club has been an enormous supporter of sport in Sydney, particularly to cycling and the Bankstown Sports Athletics Club.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Jane Saville at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.