Welcomed into their second track and field careers in Masters Athletics

11 February 2021

Welcomed into their second track and field careers in Masters Athletics

Were you aware competing this weekend at the NSW Masters Championships is a current Australian open record holder? Rachael Jackson, who lines up in the 40+ years sprints, is a member of the current Australian 4x100m record team along with Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, Suzanne Broadrick and Jodi Lambert. She is one of many athletes really enjoying a second track and field career in Masters athletics.

RACHAEL JACKSON

In the ‘90s Rachael Massey was a leading Australian junior sprinter with the Ryde club in Sydney. In 2000 she was selected in an Australian squad to tour South Africa in March. On tour she ran her lifetime best 100m time of 11.61 and led off the national relay team which clocked 43.76, followed by a national record of 42.99.

After her open career wound down, she made a temporary comeback at the 2009 Masters Games, but it would be another 11 years, in 2020, before she found her way back into competitive athletics.

“I have done a little training over the years to try and keep fit,” said Jackson. “But what motivated me to start masters again was setting a few goals to see if I could get myself back into competition form. Then a fellow masters athlete, Darren Hughes, who I was training with, inspired me to give Masters a go.”

She is enjoying her return to a different athletics environment.

“I really enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Masters. Although still competitive, Masters athletes are friendly and very welcoming.”

Jackson trains three days per week, but admits the recover takes a little longer these days.

NICK BATTY

In the ‘90s, Nick Batty was one of Australia’s finest javelin throwers in a peak period for the event. He won six national medals and launched the 800g spear out to 78.04m in 1997, but retired the following year.

His emergence into Masters athletics in 2019 was probably not the usual pathway, as he recalled.

“I was overseas on holiday celebrating my 50th birthday and for some reason had a thought that I was now eligible to throw a 700g javelin. I jumped online and was looking at records and results for men’s 50+ age. I felt I could give some records a shake and could be competitive at world masters level. It triggered something because within five minutes I was out on pool deck doing push-ups, sit ups, squats and dips. It just happened really and the obsession took over.”

In 2020, 22-years after he had retired he commenced Masters athletics.

“Couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to resolve unfinished business,” said Batty.

“The Masters athletics community couldn’t have been more welcoming and helpful. I have found that in comparison to my open career, there is no performance pressure or expectations so I have really enjoyed the process of training and competing. Breaking the NSW men’s 50+ Javelin record was a highlight as was finishing 2020 as World Masters number one ranked men’s 50+ javelin thrower.”

Compared to the ‘90s Batty training program is significantly modified.

“My training is very much around conditioning and injury prevention and less about performance. If I focussed on performance like I did in the past my body would breakdown. Throwing a javelin is an extreme position and my training consists of three boot camp style sessions per week with an outdoor fitness group. Some heavy weights in the gym, and some lighter mobility and flexibility work in my back yard. When I get the chance I will throw balls of various weight.”

PETER GANDY

One of Australia’s leading sprinters in the early ’80s was Peter Gandy. After winning national junior titles he went on to claim two Australian open 100m crowns and make the 100m semi-final at the 1982 Commonwealth Games. He also helped the Australian 4x100m relay team to fourth in a swift 39.39 seconds. In 1981 he also won twin gold at the Pacific Conference Games. Against the clock his times were brilliant, compiling very impressive PBs. In his teens, he ran times of 100m 10.55/10.43w/10.3, 200m 20.88/20.5 and 400m 47.31. His 20.88 200m was an Australian junior record. He went even quicker as a senior, with 10.34 in the 100m and 20.66/20.3 in the 200m.

After retiring in the mid-80s, he re-emerged on the track many years ago.

“I had been out of the scene for 31 years - doing nothing since walking off the track from my last race all those years ago,” recalled Gandy this week, who had run for Wollongong Southern Flame (now Athletics Wollongong), followed by Randwick Botany.

“I started back in Masters athletics through encouragement from Masters legend Noreen Parrish and other Athletics Wollongong Masters competitors who got me involved in Athletics Wollongong’s 50-year anniversary a couple of years ago.

“I then linked up with long term competitor, BHP colleague, and elite coach Trevor Height as coach.”

Gandy is relishing his return to the track, three decades later.

“What I have enjoyed about Masters is purely the no stress, everyone competes at their own level. I have enjoyed the current 55-59 years cohort, which is particularly strong in sprints with incredible performances from the likes of Darren Hughes. The whole sprinting cohort are talented as I found out from 9th place in last year’s state 60m!”

It has taken him time to re-acquaint himself with athletics.

“I couldn't believe how your mind and body forgets things - it has taken a good three years for my physiological pathways to re-ignite, and it is still a work in progress thanks to Trevor's input. I am really doing it for mental and physical health as it has helped me through some dark periods, any other outcome is a bonus.”

MARY THOMAS

Mary Thomas’ move into Masters Athletics overlapped with her senior athletics career. Two years before she won her fifth Australian open championship medal in the javelin in 1979, she debuted in Masters athletics.

“I started Masters in about 1977 at the age of 33 years,” recalled Thomas. “I was not too keen in the beginning as there were not too many women as it was mainly a man's club with their wives competing. At the time I was still winning NSW Open javelin titles.

“I won the 1979 Australian Masters Championship and was asked if I would like to go to the 3rd World Veterans Championships in Hanover as I had just turned 35 years. I came second with a throw of 49+metres to the German open javelin champion and that was the start of a very long career in Masters athletics.”

Thomas’ has had an enduring career in Masters athletics.

“As you can see, I did not have a break and continued throwing in the NSW open javelin into my 50s. I have been registered with Athletics NSW Athletics since 1958 and have never missed a season and been in Masters for 44 years and competed at 21 World Masters Championships.”

These days Thomas does not train as much. “Just as much as my body allows but I also play Lawn Bowls, belong to a ladies swimming club were we compete each Monday; I also go to the gym a couple of times a week.”

And when does the fit 74-year-old intend winding down from athletics?

“I have no intention of retiring.”

We are glad to have Peter, Nick & Rachael return to the sport and Mary, you continue to be an ongoing icon for Masters athletes.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Images: Rachael Jackson, Peter Gandy, Nick Batty and Mary Thomas