Each year, the Country Championships stands as the highlight of the summer athletics calendar — a weekend full of fun, fierce competition, and lifelong friendships. With athletes from juniors to masters taking part, it’s a true celebration of track and field for all ages.
But ask any seasoned club member, and they’ll tell you: the heart of the Championships lies in one event — the RELAYS.
Nowra Athletics Club proudly fields multiple teams across all age categories, but the biggest buzz is always around the MASTERS relay — and it all started in 2011 with the birth of the Relay – 10 Second Challenge.
That year, Andrew Havadjia gathered a crew of fast master’s athletes to form the club’s ‘A’ team, cheekily dubbed Havadjia’s Jets. The lineup featured Andrew Havadjia (44), Paul Musgrove (41), David Webb (42), and Andrew Rodda (42) — combining for a team age total of 169 years.
Their rivals, the older (and wiser!) ‘B’ team, were named the Master Blasters — made up of Doug McNally (60), Geoff Crook (51), Glen Mustapic (40 — the young ring-in), and Bernie Condon (75), totalling 226 years.
At the time, relay categories were based on combined team age — in this case, the 160+ division — so team line-ups were arranged accordingly, with a younger team facing off against their more senior counterparts.
Full of confidence, Andrew boldly predicted that his Jets would beat the Master Blasters by 10 seconds. Doug McNally wasn’t about to let that go unchallenged and put beers on the line. And just like that, the 10 Second Challenge was born.
On race day, the Havadjia Jets clocked a swift 50.44 seconds, taking silver. The Master Blasters finished sixth in 59.84 seconds — only 9.4 seconds behind. Which meant…whilst the ‘A’ team won a medal, the older team technically won the challenge! The beers were claimed that evening at the team dinner.
Since that inaugural challenge event, the friendly contest between Team A and Team B has continued. For the next 10 years, Team A consistently crossed the finish line ahead of Team B, but failed to win the 10 Second Challenge — always falling just short of the elusive time margin needed to claim victory.
A Tradition That Evolves – and Expands
Over the years, the 10 Second Challenge has become a much-loved tradition, and like all good traditions, it has evolved.
The exact team makeup has varied from year to year — depending on who’s available and willing to step up on the day. There’s also been a shift away from strict age-based divisions, making room for more flexibility and fun in forming teams. Some years have seen the inclusion of female athletes, with mixed teams facing the challenge and, in some years, all-female master’s teams have joined the fun with relay squads of their own — even staging their own versions of the challenge!
A particularly notable milestone occurred in 2017, in Dubbo, when a smaller-than-usual Nowra team meant relay formation was tricky. Team A was made up of Chris Johnson, Paul Musgrove, Glen Mustapic, and Andrew Havadjia, while Team B featured original relay member Geoff Crook alongside Mel Mustapic, Alison Havadjia, and Darlene Musgrove. Team A beat Team B by 13.12 seconds, but the challenge result was considered inequitable due to the mixed-gender makeup. Still, it was a historic moment, marking the first time female athletes entered the Nowra Relay Challenge arena.
A Bit of Controversy in 2021
No great tradition is without a bit of drama and in 2021, things got a little controversial with a cheeky attempt at what some might call sabotage.
Club Captain Mel Mustapic threw a curveball, declaring that year’s challenge would be a 15 Second Challenge, based on her own estimation of how fast each athlete would run their 100m leg. This decision did not sit well with original team member Paul Musgrove, who strongly argued that the challenge should remain true to its original 10-second rule.
Team A — Paul Musgrove, Erin Smart, Dennis Smart, and Matt Reid — crossed the line in 50.99 seconds, earning silver. Team B — Mark O’Leary, Geoff Crook, Matthew Watson, and Marcus Baxter — followed with bronze in 1:02.78, a difference of 11.79 seconds.
Under traditional rules, that would have meant a long-awaited win for Team A — they beat Team B by more than 10 seconds – but some (mostly those on Team B!) argued the bar was set at 15 seconds, so Team A still fell short. The outcome was hotly debated. Team B was quick to challenge the result, keeping the beer bragging rights for another year.
The Curse Breaks – 2022
At long last, in 2022 at Maitland, Team A finally ended the drought. Dennis Smart, Erin Smart, Paul Musgrove, and Matt Reid ran a strong race, finishing second overall in 50.56 seconds. Team B — Mark O’Leary, Glen Mustapic, Matthew Watson, and Darren Atkinson — came in fourth in 1:02.82.
With a winning margin of 12.26 seconds, Team A finally broke the curse and, for the first time in the 12-year history of the challenge, won the beer. A moment of celebration (and likely a few tears of joy from Paul Musgrove)!
It was a moment to remember — and one that will no doubt go down in club folklore!
2023 – Inaugural Women’s Masters Relay Challenge
In 2023, another chapter was written when Nowra fielded two women’s master’s teams for the very first time in the relay’s history — even if some arms had to be twisted to make it happen!
To mark the occasion, it was decided to stage a 30 Second Challenge with champagne on the line. Team A — Jo Higgins, Loretta Norris, Katrina Ward, and Erin Smart — were tasked with beating Team B of non-sprinters — Leanne O’Leary, Emma Stevens, Mel Mustapic, and Darlene Musgrove — by 30 seconds or more.
Despite some interesting baton-holding technique from Loretta, Team A ran strongly and claimed silver in 57.05, just behind the combined South Coast team. Team B powered through with determination and laughter to finish in 79.92, taking bronze. The final margin? 22.87 seconds — meaning Team B won the inaugural women’s relay challenge, champagne and all!
More Controversy in 2025 – Rule Bending Returns!
In 2025, the relay delivered yet another chapter of controversy — this time surrounding the return of the infamous 15 Second Rule.
Team A — Steve Schott, Gavin Dyball, Sam Keogh, and Loretta Norris — claimed gold in 57.10. Team B — Matt Watson, Mark O’Leary, Glen Mustapic, and Scott McLaren — finished fourth in 1:07.58, making the winning margin 10.48 seconds.
Under the original rules of the 10 Second Challenge, that margin should have secured Team A the victory.
However, in true challenge tradition, controversy erupted. Rumor has it that Team B quietly stretched the rules yet again, claiming the challenge had reverted to a 15-second standard. With original team members missing in action, there was no one on hand to enforce the traditional rules — and so the dispute went unresolved (though not without some lively debate and plenty of laughs).
Regardless of the result, both teams raced hard and showcased great team spirit, with the real win being the camaraderie shared on and off the track.
Still the Main Event
Controversies and tweaks aside, the Relay Challenge remains the highlight of the Country Championships for Nowra Athletics Club bringing laughter, rivalry, and a whole lot of club spirit to the track. Whether you’re running in it, cheering from the sidelines, or just there for the post-race banter and beers, it’s a brilliant display of team spirit, friendly rivalry, and the club’s trademark sense of fun.
The Relay Challenge has cemented itself as a much-loved tradition at Nowra Athletics Club and a celebration of camaraderie, club pride, and the pure joy of competition.
For the history buffs, click the links for a list of the Relay Challenge teams and results.
Relay Challenge – History of Teams and Results
The relay challenge honour roll