The Hayley O’s are ready for the Change Our Game Women’s Gift

Date: 5th April 2021

Easter Sunday: Friends and training partners Hayley Orman and Hayley Openshaw decided to cross the border from Adelaide and spend Easter at the Powercor Stawell Gift. The girls went on to record the fastest and 4thfastest times respectively in the heats for the Change Our Game Women’s Gift. Not bad for a trip they thought “might be a bit of fun!”

The Hayley’s train with the AAA all female squad – Atalanta Athletics Adelaide – (named after the female Greek goddess of running) with male coach Dan Semmler.

When we asked the Hayleys who will win the Change our Game Women’s Gift they laughed and pointed to each other.

“We will be happy with whatever happens, we’re just here for a really good time.  Oh, and to run fast too,” said Hayley Orman.

More laughs at the comparison to Lexi Loizou and Fia Fighera, the best friends from Melbourne who ran one-two in 2019.

“We admire strong women like Lexi and Fia, anyone who represents themselves and their squads well. The equal prize money for this event since 2015 is also so good.”

“We’re so grateful to be in the mix,” said Hayley Openshaw. And we’re so happy to be at an event that can run during Covid, that’s all we can ask for.”

“We’re looking forward to Monday. We’re going to have a chilled day in Halls Gap today, Easter Sunday, go see the markets enjoy the scenery and ‘hashtag Visit Grampians’ and just have fun.”

Hayley Orman with the fastest heat time is now a favourite for Monday. “Being the favourite is a very big call to make, I’m just here to run fast, my dream would be to make the final and that’s just my goal. To win would be beyond my wildest imagination, I’m just here to have fun.”

Hayley Orman is 27 lives in Flagstaff. Haley Openshaw is 29 and lives in Warradale near Brighton. They train together at the Mile End Track, so spend most days together.

“It would a dream to make the final together on Monday – that would be beyond anything we could imagine,” they agreed.

Posted by Hopwood Wendy

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