Something in the Air | South Hobart Primary School on the Rise

The 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian Cross Country Championships is bound for Symmons Plains Raceway and it’s a familiar stomping ground for South Hobart Primary School, who recently staked their claim as the fittest primary school in the state.

Racing at the Tasmanian All Schools Cross Country Championships, South Hobart Primary posted scoring teams in the top 16 of all eight events, headlined by winning the team gold in the 9 Year Boys and 10 Year Girls events.

Behind South Hobart’s rise has been teacher Mark Nichols, who is sharing his passion and background in athletics with students:

“I used to do athletics myself but I was more of a sprinter. I had a bit of a goal to go well in the cross country and there’s about 20 schools. We have gone from fourth, to third, to third, to first over the last four years,” Nichols said.

“We had never won a Division One event in athletics, swimming or cross country, so the whole school was really excited. Lots of parents and former parents sending messages of congratulations, so it was great for them to get that reward for their efforts.”

Nichols has encouraged participation in cross country and athletics through runs of 12-15 minutes at recess and lunchtime, capitalising on a natural love for the outdoors to build a culture of fitness.

“We sit under the mountains so we have a lot of kids who are quite fit from mountain bike riding, orienteering or bushwalking, they are very used to endurance-based activities. It was more about doing something specific to running in our approach,” Nichols said.

“We decided we would send a full team to Symmons Plains, I think we are one of only three schools that does that. Basically everyone gets picked for the interschool team, but we take that whole team to the Symmons Plains if they want to do the training and extras.”

Citing the cold winters and describing his cohort as resilient with a love for winter and mud, it’s no surprise that South Hobart Primary Schools have flexed their form in cross country, with students learning the importance of teamwork and performing when it matters most.

“Most of the kids improved probably 10-20 places on how they went last year. A lot of them have realised that one little point might make all the difference,” Nichols said.

Students will have an opportunity to return to the scene of their triumph for the 2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian Cross Country Championships, where the all new Mixed 4x2km Relays will be a main attraction, while also relishing the opportunity to rub shoulders with Australia’s best athletes.

“For some of those kids who haven’t done too much cross country, it will definitely be cool for them to see how quick and how fit the best guys in the country are. Anytime they see those top athletes, they think that it could be them one day,” Nichols said.

More information about the 2024 Australian Cross Country Championships can be found HERE, including FAQ’s.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted 4/07/2024