From the Central Coast to Central Park: S Squad primed to make Easter statement at Stawell

Date: 27th February 2026

As Easter approaches and the professional running circuit turns its attention to Central Park, one interstate squad is quietly building serious momentum. The S Squad from the NSW Central Coast, coached by Daniel Sammut and based out of Mingara Athletics Centre in Tumbi Umbi, is enjoying a dream season and will head to Victoria for the 2026 Powercor Stawell Gift with form, depth and genuine finals contenders.

For Victorian athletics followers preparing for Easter in Stawell, the message from the NSW Central Coast is simple: S Squad is coming south with intent.

The Mingara track is a growing hub for track and field between Sydney and Newcastle, and Sammut’s group has pieced together a remarkable season across New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. With multiple Gift wins and finals appearances already banked, the squad will arrive at Central Park with confidence, and at least two athletes heavily favoured to feature deep into finals.

“We’ve got a really balanced team heading down,” Sammut said. “Experience, youth, Masters athletes, novices – and they all support each other. We travel a lot together, we make each other laugh, but when it’s time to race they just love competing and being part of history.”

At the head of the charge is Will Adams, whose rapid rise has turned heads across the professional running circuit. Less than four months ago he was a novice; now he arrives at Stawell with six major wins across three states from 100m through to 400m – 5 Gift races and the NSW Country Championships (400m).

“Every squad needs a Will Adams,” Sammut said. “He doesn’t miss a session and leaves no stone unturned to be the best athlete. Diet, sleep, gym, track – everything. Hard to believe he was a novice not long ago. Now he’s got quality wins in Victoria, Tasmania and NSW and plenty of confidence.”

Adams himself still sounds slightly stunned by the speed of his rise.

“My season has been amazing,” he said. “Winning Cobden, Lancefield, Devonport, Newcastle and Beachside, they’re moments I’ll always remember. I’ve been to Stawell before and the atmosphere is unmatched. Winning there would mean the world. It’s such a prestigious event I’d cherish forever.”

A tradie by day and surfer in his spare time, Will credits the squad environment for his development.

“I enjoy the competitiveness pro running brings and the camaraderie within our squad,” he said. “We push each other hard and that’s helped me see what my potential might be.”

Alongside him, Ebony Newton has emerged as one of the most exciting backmarkers in the sport. The Maitland sprinter-hurdler, co-coached with hurdles specialist Trevor Height, has produced a string of eye-catching performances including wins at Devonport, Burnie and Beachside.

“Ebony’s sprinting is really in form,” Sammut said. “She’s one of the sport’s in-form backmarkers. Her Burnie win ignited the crowd — there’s something special in our sport when a backmarker runs them all down. Then she did it again at Beachside from 70 metres. She’s in great shape.”

Newton, who studies law and biomedicine while working as a paralegal, has grown up visiting Stawell.

“I’ve been going most years since I was little with my family,” she said. “It’s one of my favourite times of the year. Winning a sash would mean the world because of those memories. I have a great squad so it’s always fun travelling to carnivals with them, but we’re also there to compete.”

Depth across the S Squad lineup is equally strong. Ryan Singleton returns from early-season injury and is building form after a second placing in the Newcastle Gift, while novice Noah Nakagawa has made three Gift finals this season after never previously reaching one.

“Ryan’s starting to come good at the right time,” Sammut said. “And Noah’s building momentum, he’s learning to balance university and athletics.”

Nakagawa, a third-year mechanical engineering student at the University of NSW, says simply making finals has been a breakthrough.

“I wore my first Gift final silk this season at Cobden and have since made finals at Devonport, Hobart and Newcastle,” he said. “Racing at Stawell feels like the real deal. Winning any event there would show that all the training and sacrifices have paid off. I enjoy the close margins in pro running where every step counts.”

The squad heading south is one of Sammut’s largest and most diverse yet. Novice Luke Hayter is edging closer after a third placing in Newcastle, while experienced Masters athletes Richelle Ingram and Nicole Apps continue to deliver strong results. Youngsters Abby McTernan and Zach Sammut add emerging talent, with Abby stepping into the Open ranks after strong junior performances and Zach already a Stawell novice winner as well as a talented soccer player.

Several of the travelling athletes even carry family links to Central Park.

“Five of the athletes I’m bringing down have had a parent win at Stawell,” Sammut said. “They understand the history and want to be part of it. At Stawell, it’s not about me pumping them up, Central Park does that without trying. It’s about getting them to focus through the pressure and noise and just run their own race.”

Sammut will also have his own coach, long-time mentor and 1984 Stawell Gift winner Paul Singleton alongside him.

“Paul always says, ‘run your own race, imagine you’re running in a tunnel,’” Sammut said. “That’s the mindset we take to Stawell. Focus on your lane and your race.”

For Richelle Ingram, a Masters athlete and grandmother of three, the trip south is about both performance and perspective.

“The season has been enjoyable,” she said. “A highlight for me has been watching my stablemates achieve their goals and also winning the Masters 300m at Waverley. Stawell’s atmosphere is next level. To win any race there would be the pinnacle. I just want to keep performing at my best and be a role model to younger athletes.” Richelle’s motto in life is: “Living the Dream.”

Younger squad member Abby McTernan carries her own family legacy. Her mother won the (Lorraine Donnan) Women’s 400m sash in 2006.

“Winning at Stawell would mean the world to me,” she said. “Growing up hearing about Mum’s experience and now getting to compete on the same track is pretty special. I’ve been coming since I was 14 and it’s always my favourite event of the season.

“I really enjoy the competitiveness of pro running. Racing against experienced, talented athletes pushes me to raise my standard every time I step on the track,” says Abby.

Teammate and twin sister  Ruby McTernan, returning from bone stress injuries, is determined simply to line up.

“This season has been tough but getting back to compete at Stawell will be my highlight,” she said. “The atmosphere there is incredible and it is the best meet on the calendar. Winning a race would mean everything and make all the hard work worth it.

“I enjoy professional running as everyone is given a fair chance and opportunity to compete. The environment is always so positive and supportive and it’s an awesome day out spending time at the track with your squad,” says Ruby.

According to Daniel squad member Jack Johnston is a talented athlete but perhaps has not put the work in this season. “His only chance will probably be at the Gift Hotel on Monday night.”

Sammut himself will also pin on a number, arriving with strong form including multiple Gift finals and a win at Newcastle this season. A Stawell sash winner in his 40s after years of trying, he understands better than most what Central Park can deliver.

“For me, Stawell reminds you to never give up,” he said. “I chased it for years, coached a winner before I won one myself. That win gave me the confidence to keep coaching. Now it’s about helping this group experience their own moments.”

When the S Squad convoy heads down the highway to Victoria this Easter, it will carry more than just good form. It brings a tight-knit Central Coast community, a mix of youth and experience, and the belief that their dream season might yet produce its biggest chapter on the grass of Central Park.

Below: Ebony Newton wins at Beachside – image by Neil Jameson

Dual winners at the Devonport Gift – Ebony Newton and Will Adams

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