Campbell Chesser moved to Melbourne Grammar this year.

“I kind of got into athletics just as a tool for footy,” he said ahead of the Nitro Schools Challenge in Cairns.

“Running is a major part of footy these days and it’s been good to be able to use that to my advantage when I’m playing.”

The 15-year-old is now a veteran at an elite junior level, competing for the first time at primary school level, where he was Australia’s second-fastest runner in his age group.

He boasts a blistering best of 11.32 seconds for 100m.

“My aim is a sub-11, that would be ideal,” he said of one of the sport’s major milestones.

A third of a second doesn’t sound much, but elite runners know how difficult it can be to slash significant times from a sprint.

About to start Year 10, Chesser will contest a number of relays, as well as a unique event in the 60m.