My love for athletics began at the age of 5 when I became a member of the Woodville Little Athletics Club. My initial memories were not around running fast races or cracking PBs, but instead involved messing about with new friends, eating Chicos and Mars Bars, and heading to the beach for a swim after. They were the reasons why I loved getting up every Saturday morning over the summer. As I progressed through the age groups of Little Athletics, I became more competitive and found a real passion for not only the sprint races but also the jumps, in particular the high jump. I began training under Greg Adams at Port Adelaide at the age of 9 and even though his sessions were purely running based, my passion for High Jump remained. I would practise jumping night after night on my trampoline at home, getting a few tips on my technique from my dad (who has no high jump background!). The tips from Greg and my dad and the regular trampoline practise obviously helped as I went on to achieve success at a national level in the U16 and U18 age groups. As I grew older my body became stronger and I was not quite lean enough to become a successful High Jumper in the open age group. I remember my second coach Stan Miller saying, “you don’t choose the event, the event chooses you”, meaning my build was made for sprinting rather than jumping. My focus then became purely on 200m and 400m sprinting. My years of 400m training finally paid off in my later junior years where I achieved a bronze medal in the Australian All Schools Championships in 2005. The following year I was fortunate enough to run at the MCG in the Victorian Championships where I ran my PB of 55.7. The same weekend I also raced in the Australian relay championships, representing Port Adelaide Athletics club. Our 4x 400m team made up of myself, Sheena Steinert and former Camden Classic winners Damaris Christinat and Pirrenee Steinert won gold. To be a part of a team of such quality runners was one of the best experiences of my running career. Greg Adams first introduced me to the Pro Circuit as a 15 year old where I placed second in my first 120m race at Camden Oval. I loved the social atmosphere and the thrill of chasing down runners, rather than chasing times. The following year I raced in my first Camden Classic. I hadn’t heard much about the event and was unaware of the rich history behind the race. I made the final and placed fourth and remember not feeling phased about it all. It wasn’t until the years went on that I learned about the history and meaning behind the prestigious race. Recognising this and having a 400m base, my drive to win the Camden Classic was much higher than that of any other race including the Bay Sheffield or the Stawell Gift. Leading up to my third Camden Classic in 2006, I was in peak form, running recent PBs on the track and feeling the fittest I have ever felt. I ran a quick heat to win easily and felt like I still had plenty of fuel in the tank to run a fast final. Lining up for the final I was feeling very confident, despite having Pirrenee Steinert, who was in great form, behind me. Unfortunately the race did not plan out the way I had hoped, where it turned into a one on one battle with Pirrenee and myself into the home straight. She was too strong in the end and deservingly won the race by a nose length. Coming second to an extremely quality runner like Pirrenee made it so much easier to accept and I remember thinking I had many more years of running and opportunities ahead of me. Little did I know it would take me another 8 years to finally win one… In early 2013, I made the tough decision to leave my coach Steve Butler, close friends and loyal stable at Mckinnon Parade, to begin training with a much smaller squad under Michael Hane. I pushed through a tough pre season, where Haney provided me with a personalised program that got me fit and strong (unfortunately many push ups, planks and sessions of running in the cold rain were involved!). As I lined up for my 11th Camden Classic in 2014, I felt like it was my year. I knew I had done the hard work and I finally felt as fit as I was when I had run my PB times back in 2006. I made it through to my 9th Camden Classic final with ease and remember feeling ridiculously nervous as I lined up at the start line. I had raced this race too many years and had made more than enough finals to not win this one, so I felt the pressure was on. As the gun fired, I got away with a quick start. I tried to run fast but relaxed down the back straight as I began to catch the other runners one by one. As I came up to the bend I remember thinking only 200m to go and I knew that was where I had to kick. Coming into the home straight I was in second position with Hettie Driscoll only a touch in front of me. She was running extremely well and I knew it was going to be a tough fight to the end. The thought of all the hard training I had completed over the winter and the sacrifices I had made pushed me through that pain barrier as I finally broke away from Hettie and won the race I had been aiming for my whole Professional running career. 11 years and 9 finals later I had finally done it. I think I felt more relieved than anything and to finally win a race that meant so much to me made all that time and effort of training worthwhile. It is an absolute honour to now be a part of the Camden Classic winners and I have many people to thank for that. My dad, mum, Bob and partner Casey for their ongoing support and encouragement over the many years. My four coaches throughout my running career; Greg Adams who introduced me to the sport, Stan Miller who pushed me through many crazy sessions, Steve Butler who created a fun atmosphere at training and of course Michael Hane for all his hard work enabling me to finally achieve my goal. I would also like to say a special thank you to my sister Amy, who has been my number one training partner over the many years. It seems to be that when she is running well, I am not, and vice versa, but no matter the result, she is always supportive and happy for me. Finally a massive thank you to the SAAL officials, organisers and sponsors for making such races as the Camden Classic possible and for providing a sport that creates excitement and enjoyment for everyone involved.

In the lead up to the 2014 Camden Classic, my coach Mark Hipworth and I decided that it would be wise to nail a big 400m then revert my attention back to the 120m Gifts. I came 5th a month prior in the Davenport 400m which I was leading comfortably on the home straight, but my 400m fitness proved weak when I was trumped by the rest of the field. The month of January I was determined more than ever to train really well, eat well and get plenty of massages. Hippo had a session that I did twice a week which improved my 400m stamina dramatically. This included 4X60m sprints, 3X200m and a 300m sprint. By mid-January I was nailing the session and I knew that I did everything possible to give myself the best chance of winning the Camden Classic. I was lucky enough to get to spend the whole week in Adelaide. Simon and Jessica Thompson had a beautiful wedding the weekend prior to the Camden Classic in magnificent Stirling. I completed most of my training sessions in the heat and at the Camden Classic track to try and acclimatise and visualise my race before the big the race. Simon Thompson had been helping me all week with massages, clocking my times at training and advice about the athletes that were likely to be in with a strong chance. Simon had mentioned to me before the heat that Ashley Brown was the best chance in my heat and that I should keep my sights on him which I did. I had followed him into the home straight and then gave it everything that I had to win the heat. I had about 50 minutes before the final to prepare so all I did was jog really slowly for 30 minutes to try and alleviate the lactic acid from my whole body and prevent cramping up. I felt my body had recovered really well prior to the final and started to feel sharp again. Another Victorian coach, John Henry, had pulled me aside and gave me some great advice and said don't sit behind Ashley Brown in the final, pass him as soon as you get the chance. Standing shoulder to shoulder next to my competition before the start, really reminded me that it all comes down to the next 3 minutes. All I was focusing on was the start and specifically a quote that I had learnt from Jim Bradley (an old coach), was 'wait for the gun' and 'B of the Bang wee lads' and kept repeating 'B of the bang, B of the bang'. Anxiously awaiting the 2 whistles and the gun, heart racing, the gun had released the field. Now my aim was to get to Ashley Brown and pass him and relax into a nice stride which I did. I felt that no one was an immediate threat until 200m to go when my training partner Cameron Clayton was on my shoulder. All that went through my head was “No! No! No!” because I knew he had a much better lactic threshold level than me and I thought he was going to get me for sure. I kept relaxed and he dropped off. With 150m to go, I was in a world of pain and, as silly as this may sound, all I was thinking was “win and don’t give up as it means no more 400's” – something that my coach Mark Hipworth agreed on when I won a major 400m race. I threw everything that I had at the line, pumping my arms as hard as I could and ensuring that I ran through the line. As soon as I crossed the line I thought to myself, 'wow I am a winner of a major Australian professional race and it's a 400m...“Yessss!” After the race, my training partners James Collier, Michael Marantelli, Robbie Keenan and Cameron Clayton and great friends Simon and Jessica Thompson all embraced and congratulated me, which is a treasured and lasting memory. An unexpected well-wish came from 2nd place getter Kostya Khudoshin. To me this was the best show of sportsmanship I had ever come across and a definite highlight of my weekend. I was so fatigued post-race all I mumbled to Simon and Jessica was 'help me take my shoes off please' which they gladly did. The Camden Classic, wow what a race!!! Thanks to my sponsors Harry's Cabinets and City Circle for their ongoing support. A special thanks to Mark Hipworth and Mark O'Brien for selflessly devoting their time and energy into me so that I could compete at such a high standard again.

There have been a few issues with athletes being unable to login or nominate for events online.

We have found that if you have requested a new password recently (in the past 10 weeks) that your new password is most likely the cause. If you are still having problems, before contacting the office again please retrieve a new password, then try to login / nominate again, as this may solve your problem. Regards, Michelle and Deb

There has been a change in the marks as released for Marion: 300m Over 35 // Brett Stokes - 48m.

It has come to our attention that some athletes have been unable to nominate for some of the Under 17 races that have been split into boy / girl categories.

Our IT person is trying to fix this issue. If you have been affected, please send an email to the office to advise of your intention to run. Kind regards, Michelle and Deb

It is the athlete's responsibility to declare their personal bests, as well their 10 most recent performances outside the SAAL.

Times can be submitted via email, and the office will forward them to the handicappers.

The dates for season 2014 - 2015 are as follows:

Friday night 10 Oct 2014 - Henley // Sunday 26 Oct 2014 - Flinders // Saturday night 1 Nov 2014 - Port Adelaide // Saturday night 15 Nov 2014 - Whyalla // Sunday 30 Nov 2014 - Sacred Heart // Saturday 6 Dec 2014 - Pre Bay Colley Reserve // Sunday 14 Dec 2014 - Brighton // Saturday 27 Dec and Sunday 28 Dec 2014 - Bay Sheffield // Sunday 11 Jan 2015 - Marion // Sunday 18 Jan 2015 - Hectorville // Sunday 1 Feb 2015 - Camden // Saturday night 14 Feb 2015 - Tea Tree Gully // Saturday night 28 Feb 2015 - Loxton // Sat afternoon / night 7 Mar 2015 - Flagstaff // Sunday 22 Mar 2015 - Pulteney McKinnon

If you have been a member of the SAAL before please note you should re-register, rather than create a new membership. To do this you will require a password.

A password retrieval system is now in place for those who have forgotten/lost their password from previous seasons. If you select “Athlete Tools” and scroll down to “Retrieve Password”, you can follow the prompts to reset your password.

At the recent AGM, 2 life memberships were awarded.

Congratulations to Michael Buckler, and Terry McAuliffe, who were both voted worthy recipients of life membership to the SA Athletic League.

Registrations for season 2014 / 2015 are now open.

Fees are slightly cheaper in the early bird period, which runs through until 31 July 2014. Hope to see and hear from you all soon. Kind regards, Michelle and Deb

If anyone would like to see photos of the 2014 Nippys Loxton Gift please visit the following website http://gswatty.smugmug.com/Athletics Grant Schwartzkopff took these photos for the Loxton local paper and has kindly shared the link with us - thank you Grant