A team of nine Olympians has spent the past two days visiting nine schools in and around Katherine in the Northern Territory delivering sessions of the AOC's award winning “Olympics Unleashed” program.
In partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the Olympians have been giving face to face lessons to students about the benefits of goal setting, good decision making, overcoming hardships and finding a passion in life.
AOC President Ian Chesterman, who has travelled with the Olympians to the top end, says the program reaches young Australians across the country, no matter where they live.
“It’s exciting to see Olympics Unleashed delivered in communities like Mataranka and these schools in Katherine. I am particularly heartened by enthusiasm of our Olympians to bring their life experiences to young people and answer their questions.
“The AOC has a strong commitment to Indigenous reconciliation through the power of sport. We have an outstanding group of Olympian Indigenous leaders who are deeply passionate about bringing our message to communities that are some distance from the major cities.
“All Olympians have overcome enormous hurdles in their sporting journeys and their experiences are powerful lessons for school aged children on meeting challenges and making the most of what life has to offer. Olympians have the power to inspire,” Mr Chesterman concluded.
The Olympians' trip has been supported by the Air Force as part of an ongoing partnership in regional Australia to connect Olympians with Indigenous communities.
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Rob Chapman says the trip is a unique opportunity for the remote communities.
“I am proud to see Air Force supporting Olympians to engage with remote communities around RAAF Base Tindal and Katherine. Sport is an important part of life in Air Force, supporting our physical and mental wellbeing.
“The Olympians are an inspiration to us all and I welcome their efforts to promote the important of health and wellbeing through sport,” he concluded.
The schools visited this week are:
- Katherine High School
- Mataranka Public School
- Casuarina Street Public School
- Macfarlane Primary School
- Kintore Street School
- Clyde Fenton Public School
- Katherine South Public School
- St Josephs School
- School of the Air
Olympic boxer Brad Hore (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004) is approaching 50 school visits since the Olympic Unleashed program began.
“The Olympics are a big part of my life - and to tell my story is important. I really hope to make those Indigenous children believe in themselves and not to worry about what people think – and hopefully understand that there’s a team of people who do believe in them.
“I need to give back to community so when trips come up for our remote communities, I’ll always put my hand up. I hope I can inspire some more Indigenous Olympians and for those kids to achieve their goals.
“I love going to the schools and seeing the biggest smiles on the students faces,” he concluded.
Brad is one of 60 known Indigenous Olympians who have represented Australia at Olympic Games over many decades. He is a member of the AOC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC).
IAC Chair and Australia’s fastest man Patrick Johnson and Committee member and Olympian in two sports, Nova Peris plus fellow IAC member Danny Morseu have also travelled to Katherine.
In total, nine Olympians travelled to Katherine for the delivery of the Unleashed Sessions.
- Nova Peris – Olympian (hockey and athletics)
- Patrick Johnson – Olympian (athletics)
- Danny Morseu – Olympian (basketball)
- Mack Horton – Olympian (swimming)
- Mariah Williams – Olympian (hockey)
- Brad Hore – Olympian (boxing)
- Nick Timmings – Winter Olympian (skeleton)
- Natalie Burton – Olympian (basketball)
- David McKeon – Olympian (swimming) – AOC Staff member
- The group was joined by fellow Olympian Justin Anlezark (athletics – shotput) who is on staff at Katherine High School.
Natalie Burton (basketball Rio 2016) believes the lessons of sport can change young lives.
“Sport is a great way to look at life. In sport you have your ups and downs and your challenges. You are exposed and you make mistakes. Through sport you get to learn how to deal with those things.
“In the sporting environment it’s a pretty safe place to learn that. I have learned those lessons in sport and now to share that with other people who are dealing with things in other areas of life is a great motivation for me.
“It’s really nice to be welcomed into communities on this trip and to meet the kids in the schools. Even if their dreams aren’t for sport, hopefully they leave thinking about things a little differently,” she concluded.
