Adelaide University Athletics Club returns in 2022-23

The Adelaide University Athletics Club (AUAC) will compete in Athletics SA competition from the 2022-23 Season. 

AUAC - whose history dates back to 1906 - has re-affiliated with Athletics SA for the first time since the early 2000s.

Club coach Michael Nitschke said the club's history included varsity competition, a string of Athletics SA premierships - particularly in the 1960s and 1970s - and International representation.

"The club won 10 out of 12 premierships during those late '60s, early '70s years, when it was a really big, powerful place," Nitschke said. 

"Several Australian representatives have come out of the club, most notedly distance runner David Fitzsimons who competed at the Olympic Games and now has the Fitzy's 5 Fun Run named in his honour.

"The first Adelaide University athletes to be named in Australian teams were Peter Griffin and Biruta Vilmanis, who went to the World University Games in Tokyo in the late 1960s.

"With Fitzy the most famed former member of AUAC, and with the current recreational running nature of the club, the most obvious place to start for us is in that distance running scene in competition.

"We do have a sprints coach as well as some interest in jumping and throwing as well, but I think in the first instance you will see us predominantly out at the 3000m, 5000m and Winter events."

In more recent years the club has been a popular destination for social and recreational runners, meeting three times a week at the AUAC clubrooms on MacKinnon Parade, North Adelaide, located along the "Uni Loop".

Adelaide University Athletics Club coach Michael Nitschke, left, Peter Baker-Hutton, Club President Elizabeth Collis, Chloe Blacket and Arron Nitschke.

Nitschke said he and former President Angus Haines discussed the idea of re-forming the competitive side of the club mid-way through last year.

Current President Elizabeth Collis has been involved with the AUAC for two years, and was excited by the growth and direction that she had seen the club take.

"After AUAC lost affiliation in the early 2000s it laid dormant for a while, before a group of friends who enjoyed running decided to re-invigorate the club," Collis said.

"They didn't have an athletics focus as such, but liked running together socially. However, when Michael (Nitschke) approached us, we were very interested in re-forming the competitive aspect of the club.

"We have had members and students within the University express their desire to compete in athletics, but we just haven't had the capacity to offer it here.

"We feel that the age bracket of 18-25 is where a lot of our members will come from, as we want to mix social and competitive running for young adults.

"We have had so many people come to the club with no athletics or running background, and have developed as runners and are keen to take the next step of competition, so some members have outgrown the club. This affiliation enables us to hopefully introduce people to athletics.

"The club is a great social network, as well as a place for people to come for a run once or twice a week, train, and now compete for AUAC at competition level."

Having not previously competed at Athletics SA events (joining the sport as a social runner) Collis believed there were many people in her shoes - who have an interest in bridging the gap between social running and competition.

"I didn't start as a runner - at all - but I have loved being involved in the club and the sport," she said.

"I was looking for a way to make friends and stay fit, but within a couple of months I was on the committee. It's been a great chance for me to get involved in the sport, meet people, and see the opportunities to compete."

Nitschke - who holds organised coaching sessions at the club on Tuesdays - said he was excited by the environment that AUAC already has established. 

"University clubs have always had a great social atmosphere," he said.

"Athletics can be fun, and also have an organised training structure to help you compete at a good level.

"From a coach point of view this is a great opportunity to coach athletes (social and competitive) within a great location, with great facilities, and with an evidence based approach.

"The Uni Loop is the most popular running route in SA and I have been using it with my coaching group for about 5-10 years, and with changerooms and toilets in the AUAC clubrooms it was a no brainer to re-invigorate the club - it's a place where athletes can come, safely put their gear in the changerooms, meet after or before runs, utilise the Uni Loop, Linear Path or 400m grass track.

"This is the prime location for athletics, take a group of athletes, and produce a good culture."

A historical book of the club, which has been authored by former club member Fletcher McEwen, will be released soon.

Athletics SA CEO Shane Fuller welcomed AUAC back to competitive athletics following a thorough application and community consultation process.

“The enthusiasm shown by AUAC club members over the Winter Season reflects the popularity of running and athletics in SA at the moment and we look forward to seeing University athletes wearing their colours at ASA events once again," he said.

“Australia’s success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Paralympics and the recent World Athletics Championships, combined with the investment in facilities in recent years is showing dividends with a heightened interest in athletics auguring well for our future. Athletics SA’s network of Clubs, now with AUAC in the mix, and ability to choose whether they run, jump, throw, walk or roll means athletes have the ultimate control in their involvement in the sport.”

The club's social running group meets to run 5km to 8km (various routes) three times a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:30pm - which sometimes includes social occasions. 

Contact the club through it's Facebook page, email athletics@adelaideunisport.com.au or website