“I’ve seen just about everything”: Outgoing Athletics SA president Jane Russo reflects on nine years of leadership

(Jane Russo, right, with Anna Liptak, Katrine Hildyard MP, Jared Talent, and Bruce McAvaney at the 2024 Athletics SA Awards Night.)

Jane Russo’s nine-year stint as Athletics SA president and chair came to an end on October 14 at the Athletics SA AGM, as her constitutional term limit set in. She sat down with us to reminisce on her near-decade at the helm of our sport:

“There have been so many amazing people. Not just the athletes, but people like Bruce McAvaney, and meeting with two different Governors as ambassadors for our sport,” she said.

“And three women in particular: Zoe Eastwood-Bryson, Rachel Fisk and Caroline Jackman are people I really admire and hoped to emulate.

“Those three blew me away with their passion and commitment to the sport, but there’s so many experts and great people across the athletics community, and while I’ve learnt so much about elite sport in my time as president, I also knew that I could turn to the people to help guide me.”

And it’s her commitment to the community, to transparency and openness, that has never wavered. In fact, it’s the one thing Jane hopes people will remember her by.

“I really have done my best to represent the community and stand up for them when it was needed,” Jane said.

“Things like fighting for the community when I felt we had been trodden on to keep our warm-up area with the ongoing development around the stadium.

“I’d like to think we don’t get stepped on in the same way anymore.

“It’s been a collective achievement. I truly believe that I’ve been able to support the community, and that we’ve in turn worked together.

“And the community might not like every decision, but being genuine and open in our communication is critical, and that’s how you can get people on board.”

Jane built a strong relationship with long-term CEO Shane Fuller from his appointment in 2019, which has seen South Australia return to national prominence, bringing a National Championships and the Adelaide Invitational to Mile End.

“Shane and I have been really close, and together we’ve seen just about everything in this sport.

“We have most of the time seen eye-to-eye, but even then, our process in how we get there has always been different, so we’ve been able to have good, robust discussions on structure.

“And I think that how Australian Athletics now sees us – how we’re viewed by them from a national perspective – is evidence of the strength of our work.

“Getting Nationals was a major win. That, and getting the Invitational off the ground; it was really important that Adelaide was back on that national stage.

“It demonstrates not only that we can put on these great events, but also that athletes want to, and will continue to, come to Adelaide to compete.

“It’s made AA bring athletics out of the Eastern states and shows we’re real leaders in this sport.”

And the wins didn’t stop there: an upgraded surface at the SA Athletics Stadium and an entirely new facility at Bridgestone Athletics Centre also mark major milestones for the sport in South Australia.

“There’s a legacy here. It’s not just upgrading Mile End and building Bridgestone, but now there’s the possibility of a third track here in SA.

“That infrastructure is so important, and there are set plans for the board to continue with now.”

But while there have been highs, Jane also recognises that not everything was smooth sailing: one of her early key initiatives was to bring the sport together under one body.

The national ‘OneAthletics’ push ultimately failed, but over time Jane kept working on rebuilding relationships, and recent increased collaboration at the state level between ASA and Little Athletics, resulting in the co-hosting of the State Cross Country Championships, is evidence of that.

“[OneAthletics] was really disappointing for me,” Jane said.

“We didn’t achieve that ultimate goal, and the way that it unfolded was never going to work.

“Putting that aside once it fell through allowed us at ASA to focus on our core business: the events and making the sport more visible and accessible.

“And over time, personalities have changed, people have changed, and where we’re at now at a state level with us and littles – it’s not where I wanted to be at the start, but there is progress there and a willingness to work together more often.”

But above all else: the highs, the lows, and the years spent leading this sport; Jane says nothing compares to when she received an officials top from AA: her personal highlight of her tenure.

“It’s so silly but it’s true. That shirt, more than even the events, is what I’m most fond of.

“It made me feel part of the team. I wasn’t Jane the president, I was Jane the community member.

“And it’s quite funny because now that I’ve left my role as president, I’ve had people come up to me saying ‘Jane you should come out and officiate on weekends’, which is something I really appreciate.

“It shows how connected this community is. I came in and had to prove myself – people didn’t know who I was.

“But I worked hard to connect with as many people as possible: officials, volunteers, clubs and life members.

“And while there have been some testing questions, they’ve always been justified and really everyone has been welcoming and given me a fair go.”

Connor Mulholland has now been elected as the new president, and Jane believes she is leaving the sport in capable hands.

“Everything I’ve seen of Connor at that board level has been really impressive,” she said.

“And with the plans we have in place already and where I leave things from a board skillset perspective, I think there’s definitely some big things to come from Athletics SA.

“I’m excited. My time is up, but now we get to see where someone new can take things, and I’m quite happy knowing I’m handing the reins over to someone like Connor.”

By Jacob Stevens, Athletics SA
Posted 30/10/2026