THE CAMDEN ATHLETIC CLUB
The Camden Athletic Club is a community sporting club tailored to runners competing in events ranging from 60m to 3200m, with the majority of athletes competing over distances between 100-800m.
Athletes spend the majority of the summer season (October-April) competing in the South Australian Athletic League (SAAL) and partly with Athletics South Australia (ASA).
The club is inclusive of ages from 14 years old, through to Open Men's and Women's and Masters (Over 35's).
VALUES & CULTURE
At Camden Athletic Club, our aim is to provide an incredible team culture where athletes can be themselves and make genuine friendships. While athletics is an individual sport by nature, we pride ourselves on celebrating together when we win, and being there for each other when we don't - in the way traditional team sports do so well. We believe in helping athletes to grow as a person, as much as we value the growth in their physical abilities.
At Camden we value creating a community, and instilling sport as one of the healthiest lifestyles one can lead - what is better than being in fresh air and nature, being active and sharing laughs with your mates multiple times per week!
Services
Athletics Training
Join us for dynamic athletics training sessions focusing on acceleration, top-speed sprints, repeated sprints, and interval work. Sessions vary based on your training goals.
Sessions held on:
Sun, Mon, Tues, Thurs (Summer)
Tues, Thurs (Winter)
5.15pm for 5.30pm start
(note Sundays 9.15am for 9.30am start)
Technical Coaching
Mindset Coaching
Achieve peak performance with our weekly mindset coaching sessions. Mindset and mental strength can be taught and improved - we will show you how to optimize your mental approach to high-level competition to achieve your best performance and enjoy the process.
Guidance on Injury Prevention and Recovery
Enhance your skills with specialized technical coaching in block starting and sprinting & running mechanics. Our expert coaches will help you improve your technique and performance on the track.
Guidance on Strength and Conditioning
With his background as a Physiotherapist, Coach Hayden can support you in remaining healthy while in a sport that can be challenging on the body at times. High performers often push themselves to the limits, and guidance on smart training and preventative exercises can be the difference between sustained improvement, rather than regular injuries.
Strength and Conditioning is a non-negotiable for elite-level athletes, and this is especially true in athletics. Coach Hayden is a Level 1 Coach with the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA), and can help guide you in this area - whether you are a teenage athlete with no prior experience, or a seasoned athlete.
Coaching Staff
Coach
Frank McHugh
Frank has been the coach of the Camden Athletic Club for the past 50 years, and is a multiple-time winner of the 'Coach of the Year' award in the South Australian Athletic League.
He is one of the most successful athletes in the league's history, having won 51 races, including the 1974 Bay Sheffield and 1983 Camden Classic. Frank was the inaugural South Australian Athletic League ‘Athlete of the Year’ in 1983/84.
Frank holds an Athletics Australia Level 2 Coaching certification, and is a life member of the Australian Track and Field Coaches Association.
Frank, pictured above with Camden Athletic Club life member Chris Dimitrak, after receiving Coach of the year again in 2023/24.
Coach
Hayden Rothe
Hayden has begun coaching the club in 2024/25, after having joined the club in 2012 and has won 23 races during that period. Hayden has won the Bay Sheffield 550m Open (2022), Stawell Gift 550m Open (2015), and was the South Australian Athletic League ‘Athlete of the Year’ in 2022/23.
He holds a Level 1 ASCA Strength and Conditioning certification, and an Athletics Australia Level 2 Coaching certification.
He is also a Physiotherapist with 8 years of experience, and is completing his APA Sports Level 1 in 2026.
Hayden (black silk), pictured with teammate Xavier Poole (green silk), after winning the 2023 Mount Gambier Gift
Recent Accomplishments
Mercedes Tierney - Women's Middle Distance Award 2024-25
Camden's Xavier Poole (yellow silk) winning the 2025 Men's Bay Sheffield
Frank McHugh - Coach of the Year 2024-25
Contact Us
Please complete the form below if you are interested whether the Camden Athletic Club is a good fit for you - we are able to cater to a wide variety of athletic goals and would love to chat!
Camden Oval
Saratoga Dr, Novar Gardens SA 5040
0423230109 - Hayden Rothe
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