Sarah is right on track

Mount Gambier’s Sarah Dally has a big 2023 ahead, starting with her relocation to Adelaide as she spreads her wings and leaves home for the first time.

No doubt she will miss family and friends but it is hard to see where she will find time to suffer from homesickness – she has a schedule that will keep her well and truly on her toes, with tertiary education, training as a South Australian Sports Institute athlete at the top of that list.

On the study front she will be starting an Honours Degree in Psychology, specialising in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of South Australia – a course that will dovetail nicely into her journey as an elite cyclist, which is one of the other reasons she has headed to South Australia’s capital.

On the study front she will be starting an Honours Degree in Psychology, specialising in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of South Australia – a course that will dovetail nicely into her journey as an elite cyclist, which is one of the other reasons she has headed to South Australia’s capital.

“I am very excited about learning the role my brain plays in my performance and how I can ensure it can perform optimally as well as learning how I can help others improve their wellbeing,” Sarah said.

And while study and training will take up much of her time, Sarah has also been selected as an ambassador for the Premiers Be Active Challenge and a role with the Little Heroes Foundation, where she will be working in the marketing and event planning space.

“The Little Heroes Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that supports children’s physical and mental health and has proudly raised more than $40 million since 1996,” she said. “I am also very proud to be an Ambassador for the Premiers Be Active Challenge. This involves travelling to schools across the State to run presentations to encourage and inspire students to be physically active, resilient, set achievable goals and chase their dreams. I feel very honoured for this opportunity and I am really looking forward to meeting and inspiring the next generation.” Then there’s her training as she looks to take her cycling to another level and she does already have hometown events pencilled into her schedule.

“This year is very much a year of building a good base of training, gaining race experience and settling into a new lifestyle and training regime,” Sarah said. “The events I am targeting are in the second half of the year including the Adelaide Track League Racing, Road State Championships and the Cervelo Super Series, with my main goal being to get into a National Road Series Racing Team. I am also looking forward to coming home for the 100 Mile Classic and Kermesse State Championships.”

What is amazing about Sarah’s rise to SASI athlete is cycling was not really on her radar until she was in Year 10 and was identified in a SASI Talent Search as a 16 year old with the Limestone Coast Regional Sporting Academy.

Unfortunately, her progression through the sport was interrupted due to the pandemic however, she successfully competed at last year’s National Championships, winning silver in the Teams Pursuit and fourth in the Individual Pursuit. She also went on to represent Australia in the Oceania Games, placing fourth in both the Time Trial and Individual Pursuit events.

For Sarah, her training will sit around the 20 hour mark each week, including four Gym/ Reformer Pilates Sessions, two track sessions, four tempo rides, one long endurance ride (3-5 hours) and two recovery rides.

“Recovery is also just as important as training so I also participate in 2-3 recovery sessions per week,” she said. “This can include infrared saunas, ice baths, massage and compression boots.

Weekly training regimes can vary depending on races and the training load can decrease during the week if there is a race on the weekend to ensure I’m fresh and ready to race.”

Not surprisingly, her cycling hero is Anna Meares with Sarah inspired be her commitment not just to her sport but to community involvement.

“Anna’s dedication to reaching the epitome of her sport as well as her resilience in the face of adversity is why she is regarded as Australia’s greatest female track sprinter of all time,” Sarah said. “I am also inspired by her community involvement and willingness to share her journey, experiences, and learnings with others.” And that’s why Sarah will also never forget her roots and use this latest chapter in her life to inspire fellow country athletes to pursue their dreams.

“As a former country-based athlete, I am passionate about giving back to her community and encouraging kids to participate in sport not only for the physical benefits, but also for the lifelong lessons and resilience it teaches you,” Sarah said. “I hope to use my platform as an athlete to inspire other country kids to find their purpose and chase their dreams.” Just as she is looking to chase her dreams, albeit with an inspirational philosophy as to just how that might look.

“Sporting success is having the passion to wake up every morning to do something that you love; it’s having the drive to discover your own limits each day that put you closer towards your dreams; it’s connecting with people around the world and enjoying the crazy journey that you’re on no matter the result.”

READY FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER: (Below left) Sarah Dally in 2021 when she was dux of Mount Gambier High School with an ATAR of 97.30 and (below right) working hard as a SASI athlete.