Armidale town is the main hub of the New England High Country, and so often described as one of Australia’s most elegant regional cities.  At 100m above sea level, Armidale is known for vibrant autumn foliage and cool summer breezes.

Meet Scott Freeman, Manager of The Athlete’s Foot, born and breed in Armidale. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone Scott doesn’t know.

Scott’s working career began at the age of 14 when after school he would deliver medical supplies on his pushbike for the local chemist. When Scott left school, he took on two roles, one working with his dad at Mitre 10, the other selling menswear at the Richardson Department Store. Other roles later included working at Liquorland and Franklins.

Fast forward to November 2013 and Scott was offered the Manager’s role at The Athlete’s Foot in Armidale Central.  Not only was it a win for the store but also for the centre as Scott has that infectious personality and big bold nature that everyone who walks in the store and centre embraces.

In retail nothing is more powerful than a salesperson who loves what they do.  Scott doesn’t have to try to sell, his personality is his signature.  Scott says “I’ve always worked in a friendly environment but working in this centre is on another level. People pop in often, not always to buy but to have a chat and laugh, that’s why I nick named this store ‘the drop in store’”.

Now to the shoes, Scott loves the science behind the brand.  It makes sense – he’s always been heavily involved in sport.  As a young man he played cricket and soccer, but these days he has a newfound passion namely running.  Since turning 50, Scott has competed in two half marathons and runs on average 20km a week.  He also embraces the fact that the owners of the store, Brian and Jo Moro, are a major sponsor of Park Run, a 5km course is run on a mixture of grass and bitumen located in the beautiful grounds of the University of New England.

We asked Scott if he had seen many changes in the way sports shoes are designed over the years.  He was quick to reply: “years ago shoes were a lot heavier these days they just seem to get made lighter and lighter. But it’s not just shoes we sell for sport and running, we have a variety of school shoes, boots designed for tradies, although our biggest seller in this shop is the Ascent Navara – these are work shoes, purchased mainly by nurses, and people who work in hospitality and retail”.

The Athlete’s Foot is unique to other speciality shoe stores as they have the ‘My Fit 3D’ machine first introduced in 2018.  This equipment is exclusive to Athletes foot, measures feet, width, gives indication as to the way a person’s foot rolls; be it inward or outward, and indicates where pressure points in the foot are.  All this information is then used to recommend as to what cushion a person requires for their individual needs.

We asked Scott what he loves about Armidale Central, and he replied: “easy access, one level, all the retailers are a happy bunch and so easy to get along with”.

Scott also works three nights a week as doorman/barman at the local Armidale City Bowling Club.

Both The Athletes’ Foot and Bowling Club are the perfect environment for Scott, his passion for life, his laughter and positive attitude is such a bonus to this beautiful town.

When we asked Scott if he could see himself working in this store for the next five years, he started laughing and replied: “My wife jokes around that I will be the first 90-year-old shoe salesman working for Athlete’s Foot”.