Training

Sprint, middle distance and distance running sessions are available within the Moore Park and Centennial Park precincts as well as Sydney Olympic Park and further west with our coaches as follows:

• Mondays 6.00pm @ ES Marks athletics field – exclusive free access for SUAC members (all)
• Tuesdays 6.00am @ Vernon Pavilion north side Centennial Park (middle distance & distance)
• Thursdays 6.00am @ Vernon Pavilion (middle distance & distance)
• Thursdays 5.45 pm @ Vernon Pavilion (middle distance & distance)
• Thursdays 6.00 pm @ ES Marks (sprinters)
• Saturdays 8.10 am @ Vernon Pavilion (middle distance & distance)
• Saturdays 10.00am | 9.00am @ Rose Garden Centennial Park alternating with Sydney Olympic Park warm up track (sprinters)
• Sundays @ Centennial Park (middle distance & distance long run)

We also offer squad sprint, middle and distance sessions at Sydney Olympic Park and further west for those who Centennial Park and Moore Park precincts do not suit. If you are interested in finding out more about these sessions, please stipulate in the Expression of Interest form (see below) your interest in these sessions. Profiles of our coaches James ‘Jimbo’ Fitzgerald, Dean Gleeson and Josh Tassell can be found below. Please note times and locations above are subject to change.

Free strength & conditioning sessions are available for SUAC athletes at the David Mortimer High Performance gym on Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings with SUAC’s strength & conditioning trainer Miles Downie. Further information available upon registration.

It is expected athletes commit to at least 2 sessions per week. Minimum age is 16 years for Centennial Park and Moore Park middle distance and distance sessions. Training fees do apply (which are entirely separate to Registration fees) so please fill out our Expression of Interest form to find out more about training.

Coaches

James ‘Jimbo’ FitzGerald is an Athletics Australia Level 4 coach and has a Bachelor of Teaching in Physical Education and decades of experience supporting senior and junior elite and recreational athletes to world class performance, fitness and fun – many SUAC athletes have been coached by Jimbo as well as club record holders & Olympians Jenny Blundell and Milly Clark. Jimbo was appointed Director of Athletics in May 2022 and coaches sprinters, middle distance and distance athletes at Sydney Olympic Park and further west.

Dean Gleeson is an accredited Athletics Australia coach and holds a Post Graduate Degree in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Sydney. Dean has been coaching for well over a decade with SUAC following his own distinguished athletic career with the club. Most recently Dean was Tokyo Olympic Head Coach for Australia’s Modern Pentathlon team and was our inaugural Director of Athletics taking the club to a national powerhouse. Dean has coached a large number of athletes to state and national championships medals and coaches the club’s core group of middle distance and long distance athletes within Centennial Park and Moore Park precincts.

Josh Tassell is also a graduate of the University of Sydney and a highly distinguished former SUAC athlete. He is an accredited Athletics Australia coach, a state medallist over both 200m & 400m and club record holder. Josh has coached school age, juniors and adults for over 10 years and coaches SUAC sprinters in the Moore Park and Centennial Park precincts.

Miles Downie has a Masters of Exercise Science (Strength & Conditioning) is the High Performance Manager at Sydney Uni Sport & Fitness as well as Australian head coach for the Futsalroos. Miles runs SUAC’s S&C sessions at the David Mortimer High Performance Gym at SUAC allocated times Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Miles has extensive experience training track & field athletes from club to Olympic level.

Please use our Expression of Interest form if you are interested in training.